From Music Boxes to Vacuums

New style music boxes are a favorite gift for Valentine’s Day. I have a number of music boxes in my collection and one of my favorites is a large, rare Regina music box from 1899. It was made after the company moved from Germany to New Jersey. These antique instruments used large metal disks to activate the teeth of a tuned metal comb to play songs. The beautiful sound of this box is angelic! Music boxes of this type were very popular from the late 19th century right up to the Great Depression. When sales began to drop, the Regina Music Box Company started diversifying its product line and began manufacturing vacuums. Many companies are still making cylinder types of music boxes, which are often given on Valentine’s Day. I don’t recommend giving anybody a vacuum for Valentine’s Day!