One of my delightful treasures which I hate to part with,
but I know it will go to a good home because only a true music box lover will appreciate its value and antiquity
and spend this amount of money on it without reservation.

History of the music box:

This music box was purchased as a Christmas present by my grandfather, Stanley G. Searle, in 1964 for his daughter, my mother, Jeanne.
He bought it from one of the oldest residents in our town of Herndon, Penna. named Helen Heffelfinger.

I have fond memories of Ms. Heffelfinger because every single Sunday in church, when they asked for
special requests, she ALWAYS asked for #250 - When the Roll is Called Up Yonder, I'll Be There.
As a child, I always thought that was special because she never requested any other song.

At the time of his purchase, Miss Heffelfinger (for she never married), told grandpa the music box was over a 100 years old.
I have included the handwritten note by grandpa to my mother telling of its age and also there is a receipt to Helen Heffelfinger
from the Swiss Music Box Repair Shop in Philadelphia, Penna. dated Nov. 30, 1948.

Manufacturer:

It was manufactured in Sainte-Croix in Switzerland (I do not exactly know the year).
On the bottom of the box in pencil, someone has written a name, but I cannot read it.

Description:

There are two pictures on the box - one of Mozart and one of Rossini.

I feel the quality of its music sound is excellent for its age. I hope you enjoy the audio of it in this listing. It took me a while to
figure out how to include that, but I felt it was important to do so.

The marquetry of the inlaid design is beautiful and pictures either a tambourine or a drum with 2 instruments,
one being similar to an old flute. It plays songs and has a key wind.
It has a grain-painted case.

Song titles:

Home Sweet Home by Sinclair
The Mocking Bird by Winner & Milburn
Cuckoo Song by Emmet
Blue Danube Waltz by Strauss
Il Trovatore by Verdi
Dancing in the Bain
Maryrita by White (I'm not sure of the spelling of this title.)

All of its parts and works seem to be working well. Probably just needs a touch of oil here and there.
I'm sure if I was 150 years old, my joints would need a spot of oil too! I believe the wood is oak.

There are few marks of age on the outside and the inside, if you wanted to, could be painted a tad with a little black paint just for appearance sake.  I believe this box is in pretty good shape for its age. I hope you will agree.

Its measurements are: 16" in length, 8" in width and 5" in height.

It's numbered # 27291 which might have been like a serial #.

The gears and cylinder are behind a glass panel, which is pulled up by an attached piece of ribbon material. The arm to the left is what you pull to begin the song and the gears turning to play the song. There is a keyhole in the front, presumably to lock the music box, but there is no key included.

Please note: I will definitely be insuring this item at the buyer's expense.

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