No Longer Available

Sadly, Schmind music boxes can only be found in secondary markets, collector’s sales and specialty music box websites because Schmind went out of business in 1995. This not only makes finding Schmind music boxes harder, but also greatly increases the value of those that you do find. It’s very hard to find a good condition Schmint for a reasonable price.

America has not been a land of opportunity for music box makers. Regina music boxes, once the rage, were halted in 1919. Schmind looked to be a North American institution until 1995 rolled around. As of this writing, the only factory in America that still makes music boxes is Enesco. Music boxes consist only a small portion of a large product line up for Enesco.

Writing Was On The Wall

Although only employees of Schmind know for sure why their company collapsed in the hard economic climate of the 1990’s, part of the reason had to be quality of the products they put out. These were items destined to spend the rest of their lives bouncing from flea market to basement to benefit sale. They were tacky beyond extreme with achingly cute characters doing incredibly cute things.

Surely, the soundtrack of Artist Hell must be a wall full of Schmid music boxes playing at once. Even if they were all playing the same tune, the effect surely must be insufferable for people with some degree of graphic design and self respect. Many Schmidt music boxes are things you wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that you owned.

However, now that the factory is out of business, many collectors are taking another look and swallowing their egos to deal in Schmid music boxes. Going out of business was probably the best thing that ever happened to Schmid music boxes. Even a ridiculous three inch high monstrosity of Mickey Mouse dressed up as Santa going down a snow-covered house’s chimney can fetch nearly $100 (US). There’s money in schmaltz, especially if it’s rare schmaltz.

Old World Meets New

Regina music boxes began in the late 1800’s, when a European founder of Polyphon company, Gustav Brachhausen, opened up a factory in America. Polyphon was it’s own kind of music box, so at first Regina music boxes were Polyphons sold under a different name. Then, tastes in music boxes changed and Regina music boxes began to take on a more unique style.

Who knows where this would have lead if Alexander Graham Bell hadn’t come along with a little device called the phonograph. This basically killed off most of the music box industry by 1905. Somehow, Regina was the only factory that managed to survive. However, it was entering the twilight of its life as a maker of Regina music boxes. When the radio came around, that was the final nail in the coffin.

Sounds Distinctive

The main reason why Regina music boxes are so sought after is that they are considered the best sounding music boxes ever made. Regina music boxes after 1909 were particularly the best sounding, using a double comb device that made a far more intricate tune possible to be played on a little music box. The notes for most music boxes, including Regina music boxes, consist of bumps on a slowly turning metal cylinder. The music is placed when a bump strikes a metal comb, making a soft chime.

In consequence, Regina music boxes that still work are far more valuable and far more expensive than just any old Regina. If you do happen to invest in a silent Regina music box, keep in mind that you would have to find a repair shop to hand make replacement parts. This does not come cheap. The motors looked much like the motor for a wind-up watch.

Working Regina music boxes are priceless, bringing you back to a time when things were ea little less complicated and a little more devoted to the pleasures of the moment.

Part Of Italian Heritage

Italy used to be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, not only during the height of the Roman Empire, but also during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, when it was the main port of worldwide trade. With all of its wealth, Italy’s upper classes could indulge in the sensual and the artistic. They hired innovative artists and craftsmen to make sumptuous art of all kinds. Sorrento music boxes certainly continue in this tradition.

Although the metallic music mechanism was arguably invented in Switzerland, Sorrento music boxes were the first to pair a unique sound with a unique display case. Even if Sorrento music boxes can’t play their tunes anymore, they are still highly sought after for their appearance of intricately wood inlaid boxes (called marquetry). This is a very difficult art form, requiring tremendous planning, patience and luck. No other make of music box has this inlaid wood artwork, not even Regina music boxes which came out in America.

What’s So Special About Inlaid Wood?

Instead of using crayons or paints to draw a picture, you instead use tiny pieces of wood (stained or not). A wood inlay becomes a huge labor-intensive project requiring a vast knowledge of wood. Sorrento music boxes often have about 15 different kinds of wood in them. Nowadays, the wood is often painted to keep up with demand and make it more colorful, but the oldest Sorrento Music Boxes can cost many thousands of American or Canadian dollars.

Marquetry is an art form that blossomed in Sorrento in the 1600’s, so it was only natural that it would pair another art form in Sorrento. The inlaid wood process cannot be duplicated by a machine. They must be done by hand. This is one reason why Sorrento music boxes are so expensive. But, they are unique piece of art, using the music box as a canvas. If you ever discover that you have been given a Sorrento music box, thank your lucky stars and get it insured.

Highest Luxury

In the world of music box collecting, a Reuge is like Dom Perignon or Rolls Royce. Reuge music boxes are synonymous with luxury and prestige. You can’t just wake up one day and say, “I fancy popping down to the shop and picking up some Reuge musical boxes” – well, not unless you’re Donald Trump. Reuge music boxes often cost thousands of American dollars – even ones that are brand new.

Reuge music boxes are also usually considered the blueprint which all other kinds of music boxes copy. The Japanese Sankyo company produces highly collectable but more affordable music boxes – some of which are almost carbon-copies of Reuge music boxes. Sorrento music boxes combine the music-making mechanism of a Reuge with spectacular inlaid boxes. But the daddy of them all is considered to be a Reuge.

Functional Art

In keeping with the tradition of musical snuff boxes, Reuge music boxes often are functional as well as beautiful and tuneful. They make musical jewelry boxes, musical candle holders, musical clocks and musical tables. They come in a wide variety of sizes, materials and price tags. They also make musical bird figurines on top of boxes or clocks, called “singing birds”.

You can’t buy Reuge music boxes directly from the factory, but there are many authorized dealers of these eye and ear opening pieces of art. The factory is willing to make repairs for your music box and to help you with any value quotations or instructions, but please keep the questions reasonable and be aware that they get a lot of mail to plow through.

You can register your all of new Reuge music boxes with the factory in order to take advantage of a limited guarantee. You can download a copy of the guarantee online, which is sent to you in a PDF format, so you will need Abode Reader in order to see it.

Sankyo Seiki

The largest manufacturer of Japanese music boxes and other little gifts and objects that play music in the way a music box does is Sankyo Seiki (usually just called Sankyo). The company started in 1962 and claims that it is the largest manufacturer of music boxes in the world, let alone Japanese music boxes. It has modeled many of their Japanese music boxes on European-style music boxes.

One of the reasons people like collecting Sankyo music boxes is that the musical device which makes the tune can be removed so you can place a new tune inside of the save beautiful little box. Then, your Japanese music boxes become like record players and the cylinder and prong arrangement that makes the tune becomes like a very strange looking record. A new tune can cost as little as five American dollars – about the cost of a 33rpm record album in the 1970’s.

So Many Boxes, So Little Time

Sankyo Japanese music boxes come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors. Some look like beautiful little wooden keepsake boxes, while some are a combination of a jewelry box and a music box. Some are shaped like little pianos and some are shaped like very realistic violins. Some are porcelain-like figurines with a music box at the base. All of them are enchanting.

Japanese music boxes come in all musical and artistic tastes. Some of the figurines outdo the Precious Moments porcelain figurine series in sappiness. But even if you buy one in a fit of blind collection fever, there is a willing market ready to take the tackiest of your Japanese music boxes off of your hands. There is a thriving market for Japanese music boxes on the Internet on such online auction sites as eBay and iOffer. There are also many home businesses dealing in music boxes.

Distributor And Maker

Enesco music boxes aren’t just made by the Enesco brand. They also distribute a wide variety of brand names in charming gifts, which sometimes have music boxes in the line up. So, if you come across items listed as “Enesco music boxes”, you need to be sure if Enesco was the maker or the distributor.

But, as The Bard said, a rose by any other name smells just as sweet. No matter what brand or manufacture is the official maker of your Enesco music boxes, they are delightful to look at and lovely to listen to. Many Enesco music boxes are very intricate sculptures with a little music box mechanism inside of it. Some of the details are quite astonishing.

Affordable Art

Another great thing about Enesco music boxes are that they don’t cost an arm and a leg in order to purchase. This is in marked contrast to the most prestigious European brands of music boxes like Sorrento from Italy and Reuge from Switzerland. They are not cheap gifts, however. Although they are less expensive than most brands, the discontinued models still can often run three figures. They can be made of a variety of materials like wood, porcelain, plastic or resin. The musical parts are always of metal.

Enesco music boxes are like other collectables in that ones that are discontinued (not made any more) are far more valuable than ones that are still being made. There are Enesco music boxes to be had for under $50 (US). Those music boxes that still have the foil identification stickers on the bottoms are considered more valuable, too. And it is ideal that the tune still plays, however, a lot of the collectors seem to enjoy the visual aspects of Enesco music boxes more than the actual tune.

Making of Music Boxes

According to information found in the history of music boxes, musical snuff boxes were a starting or focal point for creating music boxes. Musical snuff boxes were small in size so they could be easily carried and crafted by watch makers while music boxes can range from very small to very large in size. Early music boxes contained metal disks and steel combs to create musical notes while more complex music boxes contained a tiny drum and small bells along with a metal comb to create the sounds. Some music boxes allowed for interchangeable cylinders so different musical tunes could be played but ultimately by the end of the 19th century, interchangeable metal disks became the favored items.

Types of Music Boxes

The history of music boxes covers a large geographic area that includes Ireland where irish music boxes that play Celtic music can be found. In other areas of the world, well-known names and companies provide unique music boxes. For example, in Germany, music boxes fashioned after the style of Faberge eggs are available and in the United States, exquisite figurines crafted by Lenox can be purchased. Vintage music boxes that are the voice of the history of music boxes can be found at auctions, estate sales or private offerings.

Uses of Music Boxes

There are many uses for music boxes and for whatever the reason, the history of music boxes and their uses can be shared by everyone. One of the most popular reasons for having a music box, besides listening to the music, is that it is also a storage place for jewelry and family heirlooms. For young girls and teens, a music box can be a place to put important items or mementos. For babies, the sounds of a music box can lull a child to sleep or be a source of wonder and entertainment. Men, too, can enjoy the use of a quality music box to hold favored items or to enjoy fine music while observing its inner workings and machinations.

Benefits of Crystal Music Boxes

The cost of crystal music boxes can range from relatively inexpensive to very expensive depending on several factors. The number of musical selections that can be played on the music box and also the length of time the selections can play on the crystal music boxes are two important factors to consider. The extent of the notes played can include 18-note 30-note, 50-note, 72-note and all the way up to 144-note movements affording an opportunity to select crystal music boxes to suit individual decors and budgets. Another factor to consider is the choice of imported boxes. While there are beautifully designed domestic crystal music boxes available, as an alternative, there are the hand-crafted imported varieties that can include hand-carved wooden boxes with inlays and crystal lids.

Types of Crystal Music Boxes

When choosing the style of crystal music boxes, the type of décor you have in your home or office or the décor of someone’s home who is receiving a music box as a gift should be considered. For a light touch, there are exquisitely designed crystal music boxes with clear crystal panels that allow the viewing of the internal workings of the movements of the music box. These types of music boxes may have decorative leg bases such as gold or silver dolphins, fish or dragons. Additionally, the crystal music boxes may be made of beveled glass, ribbed glass or etched glass with specific motifs such as floral designs. A darker style for crystal music boxes include hand-carved boxes using materials such as walnut, ash and burl elm combined with and clear or beveled glass lids and inlays.

Examples of Small Music Boxes

One of the smallest actual music boxes in the world is a miniature music box in silver measuring 3.2 x 2.8 x 1.8 cm. This tiny music box has a 17-note movement, contains one cylinder and plays one tune. It is a true music box and has no space for storage. Other types of cases used for containing small music boxes include those made of different types of wood such as oak and depending on the music boxes dimensions, may or may not have space for jewelry. Along with the wooden music boxes, some styles of crystal music boxes fall into the small music boxes category.

Pocket Watches

There are several factors involved when selecting a pocket watch which includes whether it’s to be made of gold or silver casing, the overall look of the outside of the watch as well as the face of the watch and determining how well will the watch keep time. With the availability of pocket watches that are also small music boxes, the choices to be made increase. Not only must a musical selection be chosen, but also the actual decorative features of the pocket watch must be considered. Many of the pocket watches that are small music boxes depict specific scenes on the dial of the watch. The dial background can also be in color such as blue enamel, for example.

Pendants

Pendants or lockets are also available that have been crafted with small music boxes inside the casing. When the pendant is opened, the music plays. Many of these pendants are crafted in sterling silver and worn with an appropriate chain. Hand-crafted pendants with small music boxes are also available in a cameo motif. In many cases when selecting a musical pendant there is a list of musical selections available so an appropriate tune can be chosen. Vintage musical pendants may be attached to a brooch versus a chain.

Ballerina Music Boxes for Girls

Ballerina Music Boxes come in a variety of styles. While the one of a twirling ballerina dancing to music atop a jewelry box is the one that first comes to mind, there are a bevy of styles for these beautiful pieces. Examples of the styles of ballerina music boxes include square, rectangle or heart shaped music boxes made of plastic or vinyl with a hinged lid. There are even carrying case styled ballerina music boxes. For any of these pieces, the music box itself will usually have multiple compartments for jewelry items along with a mirror on the underside of the lid or a pedestal. When opened, the ballerina will be standing in the center of the music box and in front of the mirror. When the music box is wound, the ballerina will then twirl in front of the mirror until the lid is placed down or carrying case doors are closed.

Ballerina Music Boxes for Women

Selections of ballerina music boxes for women come in a variety of styles and include hand-crafted wooden boxes using Rosewood, mahogany or other wood types and small music boxes with inlays depicting ballerinas. Both of these types can be used to hold trinkets or favorite pieces of jewelry. For a touch of elegance when selecting ballerina music boxes, Faberge style eggs that are hand made and mounted on a pedestal and open to display a ballerina inside dancing to a tune is a good gift choice.

Other Types of Ballerina Music Boxes

A simple style for the ballerina music boxes is the use of globes. Mounted inside the globe, the ballerina is in a free style ballet position. Other globe styles include those that rotate and have a blowing function that allows glitter pieces inside the globe to move around the poised ballerina. A music box styled as a pocketbook is also popular with the young crowd. Decorated with ballerinas in colorful tutus, when opened, the ballerina is dancing in front of a mirror. When closed, the music box looks like an actual purse with a strap attached.