Swiss Music Box Designed by Auguste Lassueur for Presentation at Railway Stations

Live Auction

28" (71 cm.) l. 30"h. 15"d. A large and elaborately-designed rosewood and ebony case features a stage-front with side curtains. When coins were inserted (now electrified), the double-comb, 8-tune, sublime harmonie cylinder mechanism plays while three bisque dolls twirl merrily around, their movements accentuated by drum, birds and bells percussion instruments. There is a coin-drawer below for collection of the coins. Condition: excellent condition of both cabinet, mechanism and music, well-functioning actions and with wonderful sound, later electrified. Marks: Lassueur, Fabr. St. Croix, Suisse Musique Automatique (lettering banner along with "Mettez 10 centimes" and a hand with finger pointing to the coin slot). St. Croix (original paper label on back board). Comments: Auguste Lassueur, Swiss, circa 1887, railroad travel was well established throughout Switzerland by the late 19th century, and, much like the scene in today's airport terminals, activities were introduced to railroad stations that would simultaneously entertain the waiting passengers and also make a tidy profit. Auguste Lassueur of Ste-Croix, Switzerland, hit upon the notion of placing coin-operated mechanical music boxes in the waiting rooms on the Jura-Simplon Railway Co. in Switzerland. He commissioned works from several music box makers in Ste-Croix, most notably Alfred Junod-Turin. The Lassueur creations were of several designs including a musical carousel and this dancing theatre of dolls, and a study of rare existing examples indicates that each appears to be different.