A Regina Music Box from 1905: The Classical Overture

A Regina Music Box from 1905: The Classical Overture, is an excellent example of an antique music box. This music box is a great addition to any collection.

Regina Music Boxes

Regina music boxes were some of the most popular music boxes in the early 1900s. They were known for their high quality and beautiful designs. The Regina Music Box Company was founded in 1894 and quickly became one of the leading music box manufacturers in the United States. Regina music boxes were made in a variety of styles and could be fitted with a variety of different mechanisms to play different music.

Company History

Regina was a music box company founded in 1880 by Adolf Regina in Rahway, New Jersey. The company’s name was derived from the Latin word meaning “queen.” The Regina Music Box Company was the largest music box manufacturer in the world for many years, producing over 150,000 music boxes annually at the height of its production.

In 1905, Adolf Regina retired and his son Louis took over the company. Under Louis’ leadership, Regina released the Classical Overture, a music box that could play 16 different discs and was one of the most popular music boxes of its time. The Classical Overture was so successful that it helped propel Regina to new heights; by 1909, the company was selling over 200,000 music boxes per year.

Unfortunately, the success of the Classical Overture was short-lived. By 1915, interest in music boxes had begun to wane and Regina’s sales began to decline. The company ceased operations in 1925 after 45 years in business.

The Regina Music Box

The Regina Music Box was a brand of music box manufactured by the Regina Company from 1893 until 1932. The company was based in Rahway, New Jersey, and these music boxes were some of the most popular and best-selling models of their time.

The Regina Music Box was available in a variety of styles and sizes, and could be fitted with a wide range of discs to play different music. The most popular type of Regina Music Box was the tabletop model, which was designed to sit on a table or shelf in the home. These music boxes were often decorated with beautiful woodwork and inlays, and were made from high-quality materials like mahogany or walnut.

The Regina Music Box was also available in a floor model, which was larger and more ornate than the tabletop version. These floor models were often used in public places like hotels or restaurants, where they would provide background music for guests.

The Regina Music Box Company also manufactured a special type of music box called the Symphonion, which was designed to play only classical music. These Symphonion music boxes were very popular with wealthy customers, and they were often highly decorated with intricate woodwork and mother-of-pearl inlays.

The Classical Overture

The Regina Music Box was created in 1905 and it was one of the most popular music boxes of its time. The Regina Music Box played classical tunes and it was a beautiful box. It was made with a wood case and had a crank on the side. The Regina Music Box was a great box for playing classical music.

The Regina Music Box in Use

In its day, the Regina Music Box was one of the most popular home entertainment devices, and it’s easy to see why. These modest little machines could play a wide variety of music, from classical to popular songs of the day, and they were affordable enough that even middle-class families could own one.

The Regina Music Box was powered by a series of steel combs that plucked the teeth of a spinning cylinder covered in pins. The pins were arranged in such a way that they would strike the combs in the correct order to create a melody. By changing the cylinder, or disc, you could change the song that was played.

Regina Music Boxes came in a variety of sizes and styles, but they all worked in basically the same way. The most popular model was the “Orchestra” which could play 12 different tunes. The largest model, the “Grand Opera” could play 24 tunes.

To select a song, you would simply turn a knob to wind up the music box, then turn another knob to choose your tune. As the music played, you would crank a handle to keep the cylinder spinning.

The sound produced by a Regina Music Box was surprisingly good quality, thanks to the use of steel combs instead of wooden ones. These combs produced a clear, bell-like tone that filled up a room nicely.

The Regina Music Box was so popular that it spawned imitations from other companies. But Regina remained the gold standard for many years, until phonographs and other forms of mechanical music began to take over in the early 20th century.

The Music Box in Today’s World

The music box is a fascinating invention that has entranced people for centuries. These unique devices use a series of pins or combs to pluck the teeth of a steel comb, producing a charming and melodic sound.

While music boxes are no longer as popular as they once were, they still hold a place in the hearts of many people. There are a number of reasons for this. First, music boxes are beautiful and intricate pieces of art. They are often beautifully decorated and can be cherished as family heirlooms. Second, music boxes provide a unique listening experience. The pleasant sound of the music box can be soothing and relaxing, making it a great addition to any home.

If you’re interested in purchasing a music box, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure to choose a reputable dealer. There are many fake or low-quality music boxes on the market, so it’s important to work with someone who knows what they’re doing. Second, be sure to listen to the sound of the music box before you buy it. Each music box has its own unique sound, so you’ll want to make sure you choose one that you really enjoy listening to. Finally, don’t be afraid to negotiate on price. Music boxes can be expensive, but if you take the time to shop around, you should be able to find one that fits your budget.