Ducommun-Girod Grand Format Overture 18" Cylinder (4" dia) Music Box ca 1838, 135 tooth comb,

THE MUSIC BOX IS QUITE SPECIAL!! LISTEN AND ENJOY THIS VIDEO. PLEASE LEAVE ME A COMMENT AND FEEL FREE TO SHARE TO OTHERS!! SO IT CAN BE ENJOYED BY ALL. IT INSPIRES ME TO FIND OTHER GREAT PIECES.

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This rare music box has an 18" long cylinder with a 4" diameter, weighing almost 30 lbs alone when removed from the mechanism. Comb has about 150 teeth and cylinder is stamped "2038" on the right end of the cylinder end cap. The brass bedplate has serial number "14731" on top left corner just above the spring barrel.

The size of the case is 27" long, 9" tall and 11" deep incl the lid with fancy Rosewood veneer on all sides with a simple double line inlay along the edge. On the center of lid is a handsome brass and mother of pearl inlaid medallion with some red mahogany accents. It has been determined that the case is a Victorian replacement. Original case was possibly damaged or maybe the owner might have wanted to improve with the more handsome newer design cases of the period during a service call. The answer to this question we will never know. The present case has interior glass dust cover which covers the winding drum and lift crank. The case itself is typical of a high quality circa 1860-75 manufacturer.

With a stroke of luck, I was contacted by Wayde Roxbury who owns an almost identical mechanism in an original drop-end wood case with identical song arrangement, made by Henri Metert, using a chez Ducommun-Girod comb and bedplate plinth marked "Geneve, Juin 1839". His box has a beautiful inlaid lid with satinwood interior with tunes listed.

Link to Wayde's Henri Metert Music Box video
   • ouverture music box  marked  on comb plynt...  

The Ducommun-Girod stamps on his bedplate and comb were crossed out and on the cylinder Metert scratch signed in cursive "Henri Metert chez Ducommun-Girod". The Metert box plays in a slightly different key but the tunes are the same. The his bedplate is stamped serial number "15051" using the same number stamp set used on my D-G bedplate yet 300 later than mine.

That certainly interesting coincidence and what a joy to have the tune list from his to identify my tuners easily.

TUNES

1 00:00 "Introduction and Details of the Music Box"
2 01:53 "Overture de La Norma" (1831) - Vincenzo Bellini
3 03:52 "Overture de Fra Diavolo" (1830) - Daniel Auber
4 05:59 "Overture de Semiramide" (1823) - Gioachino Rossini
5 08:21 "Overture de La Dame Blanche" (1825) - François-Adrien Boieldieu
6 10:40 "Overture de l'Italienne à Alger" (1813) - Gioachino Rossini
7 13:10 "Overture du Barbier de Seville" (1816) - Gioachino Rossini
8 15:45 "Overture aus Der Freischütz" (1821) - Carl Maria Von Weber
9 18:00 "Overture de La Muette de Portici" (1828) - Daniel Auber


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Orchestra Renditions of These Overtures

Overture de La Norma
   • Vincenzo Bellini - Norma Overture (1831)  

Overture de Fra Diavolo
   • Daniel-François-Esprit Auber - Fra Diavolo...  

Overture de Semiramide
   • Rossini - Semiramide Overture (Bernstein, ...  

Overture de La Dame Blanche
   • Boieldieu: La Dame blanche - Overture - En...  

Overture de l'Italienne a Alger
   • Ouverture de "l'Italienne à Alger" de Ross...  

Overture du Barbier de Seville
   • ROSSINI - Ouverture du barbier de Séville ...  

Overture aus Der Freischütz
   • Carl Maria von Weber: "Der Freischütz" Ove...  

Overture de La Muette de Portici
   • Daniel-François-Esprit Auber - La Muette d...  

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Harvey Webber
Hampton, NH

I'm always buying, repairing and selling fine antiques, clocks and music boxes. If you are interested in procuring one, I am happy to assist you. It been years learning these fine instruments and worth having an expert help you acquire a great piece rather than buy a poor example that you will regret. I often rotate my collection so I always have boxes for sale. I will soon set up a format here to display items in inventory.

I will soon be setting up a format to sell items for other collectors too so let me know your situation and I may be able to assist you.

Call or text me anytime at 603-396-0194

I used to operate a family antique business in Hampton NH which has been in existence at the same location for over 70 years. The property has been sold and I still dabble in certain special pieces and help decorators find heirlooms for collectors.

My expertise is in clocks, antiques, music boxes, fine art, glass, painting and lamps. I have been on ebay since almost the beginning, and my business incl having auctions and setting up at antiques shows all across the country.