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European Furniture and Decorative Arts
|
- Sale 2054
Live
| Chicago
Oct 15 | 10:00 AM CDT
Live
| Chicago
Sale 2054
| Chicago
| Chicago
Estimate$1,500 – $2,000
Published:
Karp, Larry, "A Mysterious Scriber Cylinder Musical Box," Journal of Mechanical Music (Winter 1990): 24-28.
A Nicole forte-piano box #26178 (sold Sotheby's London November 1992) bore a retailer's label for a "John Scriber", watchmaker and jeweler, Geneva and at 20 Portland Street Dublin.
Note:
Few couples have been as heavily involved in the mechanical music collecting world as Myra and the late Larry Karp. Beginning in the late 1970s, they conquered collecting with a drive and passion that showed itself not only in the high quality of the items they acquired, but in their joint contributions to the collecting community at large.
Myra, a past President of the Musical Box Society International, was the consummate organizer, whether arranging for hundreds to attend the Society’s annual meeting in Seattle (their home town) or a simple Saturday afternoon meeting at their home. Larry, ever the researcher and writer, wrote numerous articles for the Society’s publications in addition to being a longstanding member of the Publications Committee, vetting articles and helping guide the MBSI’s mission to educate its members and the public.
Although they collected together, it was Larry who travelled the most in search of new instruments. He made frequent trips to the UK and Europe where he befriended top dealers and auctioneers. They, in turn, educated him in the many varieties of machines available, but with time searched him out when a particularly good machine became available. This was how he found so many early machines; sectional comb boxes, overture boxes, and clock bases. But value and rarity weren’t his only drive; the unusual, even the humorous, such as the musical carpet sweeper in this auction, were for him a good reason to acquire something.
Part II of the Myra and Larry Karp collection will be offered in Freeman's | Hindman's April 2025 European Furniture and Decorative Arts auction, followed by Part III in our subsequent The Collected Home online-only auction. Many of the items in these two auctions were written about in the MBSI publications, and where possible this is indicated.
To request further details about this lot, please email europeanfurniture@hindmanauctions.com
Corbin Horn
Vice President, Head of Department, European Furniture & Decorative Arts
With three teeth replaced. Key is replaced. Otherwise plays well with loud, resonant sound. See article in cataloguing notes for additional information on box. Additional images and video available upon request.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email europeanfurniture@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
