Rare Coin-Activated "Station" Musical Box, c. 1890

No. 8538, playing eight popular and operatic airs including a lively rendition of the "Freyschütz" overture by Weber, accompanied by six optional bells with flower finials and two bisque dolls (in original silk costumes) dancing in mirrored grotto decorated with feather ferns and foliage, with 93 teeth in comb (complete), nickel-plated movement, double-springs with original winding crank, tune-indicator and zither attachment, in walnut-veneered case with glazed front, fretwork sound panels, coin-slot for 10 centimes and celluloid retailer’s or operator’s plaque: "A l’Automate Français, Appareils Automatiques, Mon. Maillochon & Cie., 29 Rue Meslay, Paris", wd. 28 in. x ht. 28 in. x dp. 19 ½ in. (71 x 71 x 49 cm), cylinder 13 in. (33 cm), four of the five butterfly strikers without wings, missing coin-trip, case without pediment, movement and case in generally good unrestored condition. An unusually complete and original station musical box with signage, harmonious accompaniment and dancing dolls in fanciful garden setting.

布雷克拍品等级是为了方便竞买人判断拍卖品的成色而设置的。布雷克等级用1到6级来标注外观和功能的成色，(从非常好到非常差)。 在目录图册里用括号里的2个数字来表示，前一个数字表示外观成色的级别，后一个数字表示功能成色的级别。如(3/2)表示外观成色是3(满意的)，功能成色2(好)。 成色 定义参照下列标准： 1 - 非常好 (未使用过，没有使用痕迹) 2 - 好 (新，极少的使用痕迹) 3 - 满意的 (普通的使用痕迹) 4 - 及格的 (明显的使用痕迹，某个非主要部件是后配的) 5 - 有缺陷的 (极明显的使用痕迹, 某个主要部件是后配的，功能上有缺陷，需要修理) 6 - 非常差 (严重破损, 缺少重要部件)