Cyl #2 of 9 Mermod Frères Ideal Sublime Harmony Piccolo 24” Music Box, Nearer My God to Thee, Etc

DO ME A FAVOR ENJOY THIS VIDEO. THIS MUSIC BOX IS QUITE SPECIAL!! THANK ME FOR THE EFFORT, PLEASE GIVE ME A THUMBS UP AND SHARE TO SOME ONE ELSE SO IT CAN BE ENJOYED BY OTHERS

WRITE A COMMENT...IT INSPIRES ME TO FIND OTHER GREAT PIECES.

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1 00:00 "Nearer My God To Thee" (1841) - Lyrics Sarah Flower Adams, Hymn Eliza Flower
2 01:23 "From Greenland's Icy Mountains" (1819) - Lyrics R Heber, Hymn L Mason
3 02:43 "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep" (1839) - Emma Hart Willard, Hymn J P Knight
4 04:04 "Coronation"
5 05:24 "Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah" (1745) - William Williams Pantycelyn
6 06:42 "Rock of Ages" (1763) - Augustus M Toplady
This music box employs the largest movement manufactured by Mermod Frères of Ste Croix, Switzerland in a carved mahogany case. The mechanism features nine interchangeable, nickel-plated cylinders, measuring 24 1/2" long by 3-1/4" in diameter. The comb arrangement is sublime harmony piccolo with extra wide zither attachment. Present , of course, is the Mermod standard Jacot's patent "parachute shape" safety check and the tune indicator with tune selector knob and change/repeat lever. The horizontal governor is much larger than regular Mermod boxes and slow / fast shield is in a butterfly shape.

The combs are secured with a lot of bolts compared to the other Mermod Freres Ideal Sublime Harmony Piccolo machines ... 7 bolts left comb/ 8 bolts center comb / 4 bolt right comb for a total of 19 bolts. The comb count is I believe 66-76-36 total of 178 teeth ... hard to count these.

The high comb tooth count along with the extra fat cylinder makes this the "King" of the Mermod machines. I hope you enjoy listening. I'll be posting every cylinder playing in full in the near future...stay tuned!!

The box has its 9 original tune sheet that lists the 6 aires on each cylinder for a total of fifty-four classical and operatic tune selections. Tune sheets are stored in an original red canvas covered storage booklet with Ideal Advertising MF logo lettering on the cover.

This monumental box was sold as special order in 1895-6 catalog for $887.50 with a variety of cylinders priced at $175.00 each. I believe these machines were sold with one cylinder and then customers would buy add'l cylinders separately. Ive seen it stated that less than 10 of this model Mermod were but no research to support this guess. Being unable to find more than a couple online, and add the fact that in 1890s cylinder music box industry was winding down and the high initial price of this special order machine, maybe the estimate is correct. Imagine that the full cost of this machine with its 9 cylinders exceeded $2000 in 1896, comparable to $75,000 in today's money. To put in perspective you could buy 2 houses for this amount of money at the time this box was ordered.

This machine is completely original and plays exceptionally well. The video does a good job but to appreciate the magnificent sound of this box, one needs to hear it in person I'm afraid.

The music box case is made of hand carved Honduras Mahogany with a raised panel lid and intricately carved front having a central theme of carved instruments incl a lute and harp instruments flanked by foliate carving at each side.
Case Dimensions: 14" ht x 49" wd x 20" dp
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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 603-396-0192

ABOUT ME sellall on eBay aka Harvey Webber but I rarely sell my better items there.

Glad to meet you!!

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.

Видео Cyl #2 of 9 Mermod Frères Ideal Sublime Harmony Piccolo 24” Music Box, Nearer My God to Thee, Etc канала Harvey Webber