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Small Music Box

Music Box Opened.

This small and detailed music box is believed to have been used in a Schoharie County tavern. The “Regina Music Box” was pruduced by Henry Gautschi & Sons, Manufacturers and Importers. The Swiss based company was formed in 1824 and moved all operations to 1030 Chestnut Street in the city of Philadelphia by the late 1890s.

Big card on music box reads "Henry A. Gautschi Succeeding H. Gautschi and Sons. EST. 1876, 1020 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia." Next to this card is a smaller diagonal card which reads "H. Gautschi and Sons, Regina Music Boxes 1030 Chestnut St, Philadelphia."

The music box is in the traditional cylinder style which produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder. Two controls along the right side of the box are used to start and stop the music, as well as set it repeat musical pieces or rotate between them. This box includes six separate songs:The name of location "Henry Gautschi and Sons Manufacturers 1030 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA." is displayed at the top and bottom. The following songs are listed below. 1. Home Sweet Home Sinclair 2. The Mockingbird 3. The Blue Bells of Scotland Wallace 4. Old Folks at Home Christy 5. Sweet By and By Webster 6. Robin Adair

  • Home Sweet Home
  • The Mocking bird
  • The Blue Bells of Scotland
  • Old Folks at Home
  • Sweet By & By
  • Robin Adair

The music box was donated to the collections of the Schoharie County Historical Society by Mrs. Walter MC Gill in memory of Archibald H. Smith and his wife Ruth Brand Smith, of Schoharie, NY.

 

Illustrations depicting a building displaying the words "Established 1876, Henry Gautschi and Sons, Manufacturers, Superior Quality, Musical Boxes." The bottom of the page reads "Salesrooms, 1030 Chestnut St, Philadelphia." Next to the building is a music box with "Established" written above it and "1824" written below it. Above the music box is an illustration of buildings in Switzerland with a building named St. Croix. Underneath said building reads "The Mountainous Homes of the Swiss Music Box Makers." Below the music is an illustration of Geneva showing a bridge and a platform containing trees over water with a city in the background.