1895 Capital Cuff Style B Music Box
$3,500.00
Ships Worldwide.
Capital Cuff Style B music box (intermediate size — 22″ x 14″ x 8″ — playing B size cuffs ) manufactured in New Jersey by F.G. Otto in the late 1800’s.
Unlike conventional disc music boxes, whose round music sheets lie flat on a bed, with a spring motor advancing their punched notes over star wheels and a comb, the Capital music box uses a punched metal music sheet rolled into a tapered cuff that revolves over the musical movement like a phonograph cylinder.
Despite the obvious design differences between the Capital “Cuff” box and the Regina disc box, Otto was the subject of a barrage of litigation initiated by Regina, forcing Otto to cease production of the Capital Cuff box just a year or so after it had begun. Consequently, Capital Cuff music boxes are uncommon, and Capital Cuff music boxes that still work properly are even more uncommon.
The movement of this Cuff box was recently overhauled by Darren J. Wallace, who documented the work on his music box restoration Facebook page, where you can see and hear videos of the box playing.
Some discoloration in the lid art, but box is otherwise in excellent condition throughout. The cabinet finish is original and smooth, with no noticeable crazing, no significant blemishes of any type. Bedplate is clean, with light tarnish in areas but no rust. Comb is excellent, with no broken or repaired teeth. Movement stops and starts “on a dime,” and releases the cuff when the selection has completed.
SOLD
