The musical box that's going up for auction

A Swiss musical box from the late 19th Century is coming up for auction in Lichfield.

The musical box that's going up for auction
The musical box that’s going up for auction

The box by Mojon Manger & Co is in a rosewood case with inlaid details to the lid and a pull-out drawer to the base fitted with three additional interchangeable cylinders.

Senior valuer Sarah Leedham said she expected the lot to be a popular one when it goes under the hammer on September 19.

“It dates to circa 1890 and has the original card tune sheet to the inside of the lid listing three of the four cylinders’ six airs,” said senior valuer Sarah Leedham.

“The cylinders bear stamped serial numbers to make identification easy, these being 28916, 28917 and 28918. One cylinder includes popular tunes of the day by Gilbert and Sullivan, namely The Gondoliers and Yeoman of the Guard, which were both debuted in 1889.

“Another featured tune is Rossini’s William Tell but work by Strauss is also featured.”

The box is expected to fetch between £2,000 and £3,000.