Antique Regina Number 40 Quartersawn Serpentine Oak Console Music Box 77 Discs

Description

Exceptional Regina Edwardian Number 40 Oak 15 1/2" Console music box. Double comb. Short bedplate. Beautifully crafted from oak with a serpentine case featuring beeding, inlay and pierced center. The case opens for storage of up to 100 discs. Includes 77 discs. Serial No 4000184, circa 1899-1901. A bold unit with impressive sound quality.

In 1889, Gustave Brachhausen, the foreman of the Symphonion music box company based in Leipzig, created the polyphon Musikwerke in partnership with a Symphonion engineer Paul Riessner. Three years later, at the age of 35, Brachhausen expanded his enterprise to America by establishing the Regina Music Box Company. After sailing to America in September 1892, he leased some space in Jersey City, and with financing from Knauth, Nachod & Kuhne in Leipzig, Brachhausen set up shop in partnership with Riessner and Johannas J. Korner.

Initially, Regina imported their boxes from Polyphon, selling 11 and 15.5-inch models. Gradually, the movements were imported and assembled into American-made boxes. After a year of immediate success, Brachhausen purchased a 25,000-square foot building at 54 Cherry Street in Rahway, New Jersey. In a few years, Regina was manufacturing their products entirely in America, as Brachhausen accumulated patents.Regina established a nationwide distribution network by offering a 50% wholesale price to department stores and other retailers. He also lured one of Symphonion's arrangers, Octave Felicien Chaillet, to America, where he composed and arranged thousands of discs for Regina. In 1897, Brachhausen patented an automatic disc changer, and Regina established a service for installing and maintaining their coin-operated music boxes.

Condition

Good Antique Condition; Gentle Used

Dimensions

23" x 21" x 41"h