Automatic disc-changing musical automaton “Regina Corona”
Automatic disc-changing musical automaton “Regina Corona”
USA, Rahway, New Jersey
1900
The Regina Music Box Company
Wood, metal, glass, steel, brass, paper; joinery, mechanical work, turning, carving, engraving, lithography
Height 185.5 cm
Inscriptions on the glass: “REGINA CORONA”; on the chassis: “REGINA”, “47176”; on the switch: “REPEAT START STOP”; on the plaques: “Regina Music Box Co. / NICOLE FRÈRES, L’t’d. Agents, / LONDON, E.C. 21/ EST’d 1815 / 21 ELY PLACE HOLBORN CIRCUS / MADE IN ALL SIZE AND STYLES FOR HOME USE”; on the lithography: “Copyright 1896 by the Regina Music Box Co.”. On the disc: “REGINA / MUSIC BOX CO. / RAHWAY, N.J.”, “U.S. PATENTS / Dated …17.1889 / …07.1893”; trademark in the form of a lyre with laurel branches and ribbons with inscriptions: “REGINA”, “TRADE MARK”. On the spring barrel cover: “608”, “259”.
Automaton is housed in oak case featuring protruding lower section, resting on four supports on molded base with carved ornament. Removable front panel of the lower section, fitted with horizontal hinged lid, latches, and ribbed side strips, is enclosed by glass pane within carved frame decorated with engraved ornaments at the corners, depiction of crown, and inscription “REGINA / CORONA”.
Once the springs are wound and a disc is selected, the mechanism activates, the carriage shifts, and the chosen disc is raised via blocks by metal rods to the musical movement. As the disc rotates, its projection pins engage the corresponding star wheels, which in turn pluck the teeth of the musical combs to play a melody. Upon completion of the tune, the disc stops automatically and lowers back into its place in the carriage. The set includes a winding crank and twelve program discs.
Musical media: pinned metal disc
1026.1-14/ММП