No. 3308, playing "Bid Me Discourse" in two revolutions, with fine single-piece comb of 80 teeth (apparently complete but movement not removed for inspection) stamped "Martinet et Benoit", in tortoiseshell case, wd. 4 in. (10 cm), cylinder approx. 2 ¾ in. (7 cm), in need of some adjustments but overall good playing condition, case with cracks and repairs. With key. A complete air plays for around 1 minute and 20 seconds on two revolutions. - According to research by Luuk Goldhoorn, the firm of Martinet et Benoit was active in the horological trade during the first half of the 19th century. Patrizzi's "Dictionnaire des Horloges Genevois" lists Benoit et Martinet as "Établisseurs" (manufacturers) at no. 10 Rue Neuve in Geneva in 1828. Goldhoorn concludes that Martinet was the business man and Benoit the maker. - In addition to watches, the firm also produced a small number of high-quality musical boxes. At present only some dozen snuff boxes and four cartel musical boxes by Martinet et Benoit have been identified. Serial numbers in the same digit range as this example (3725, 3830 and 3948) date from the 1830s. - Literature: Luuk Goldhoorn, "Martinet & Benoit" in: "Music Box Journal", vol. 25/4, pp. 137-144; Chris Fynes, "A Martinet et Benoit Overture Cylinder Box" in: "Mechanical Music World", April 2016. - A finely arranged and rare musical box of early Geneva production.