Books
Over the years the Society has published a number of books, some of which are still in print, and available exclusively through MBSGB. These are valuable reference works for the collector or enthusiast and serious researcher alike. We can usually locate second-hand copies for those out of print.
The Organette Book
By Kevin McElhone
£140
(Celebrating Musical Box Society of Great Britain’s 40th anniversary)
A concise listing of all known self-playing portable reed organs. Over 560 models, 440 pages, 770 pictures and diagrams, including colour section. Tuning scales, restoration tips, history of makers and much more.
Supplement to the Organette Book
By Kevin McElhone
£140
Liberally illustrated in colour throughout with additional pictures and lists of Models, Patents, Tune Lists and Tuning Scales together with sections on Trade and Advertising Cards and a combined index of images in the original book and its supplement
The Disc Musical Box Book
By Kevin McElhone
£140
Published in the MBSGB 50th anniversary year, this 500+ page A4 size book is a compendium of information about disc musical boxes, their makers and their music. It is profusely illustrated throughout, and complemented by a DVD of catalogue scans, lists of models, patents and tune lists and additional illustrations.
Supplement to The Disc Musical Box
By Kevin McElhone
£140
Liberally illustrated in colour throughout with additional pictures and lists of Models, Patents, Tune Lists and Serial Numbers together with a combined index of images in the original book and its supplement
Musical Box Tune Sheets and Supplements
Compiled by H A V Bulleid et al
£140
Originally published in 2000, this 153-page A5 size book contains images of 216 musical box tune sheets (‘cards’), described and identified by H A V Bulleid, along with dating charts and other information.
In addition, four supplements to the original book have been produced over the years, taking
the number of annotated illustrations up to over 500.
The Anatomy of a Singing Bird Box - DVD
By ‘The 3 Js’, members of MBSGB.
£140
Now only available in downloadable form from the MBSGB.
The Nicole Factor
By Paul Bellamy, Arthur Cunliffe, Roy Ison
£140
250 A4 pages with over 400 illustrations, 130 in full colour, published in 2006. This tells the
story of the Swiss cylinder musical box manufacture of the 19 th century through the famous
family of makers, Nicole. Now out of print, as a ‘must have’ source of valuable information,
you can register your interest in locating a second-hand copy.
Street Musicians on Postcards
Complied & edited by Paul Bellamy
£140
Published in 2008, this has 108 A5 pages of full colour illustrations and commentaries on the
fascinating topic of street musicians from the late Victorian and Edwardian eras (with a
handful from the late 20 th century). Early photographs, cartoons, paintings and other
graphics depict people with their instruments ranging from barrel pianos to organs and
organettes. Now out of print, you can register your interest in locating a second-hand copy.
Cylinder Musical Box Tune Sheets
Tune sheet images and annotations, compiled and edited by the late Anthony Bulleid and Tim Reed, are available on-line, consisting of the original book and four supplements.
Includes Maker Index and Dating Charts and the Search Engine devised and compiled by the late Luuk Goldhoorn.
Hard copies of ‘The Cylinder Musical Box Tune Sheets’ and its supplements may be available upon request
Hard copies of ‘The Cylinder Musical Box Tune Sheets’ and its supplements may be available upon request
The Music Box
Three times a year the Musical Box Society of Great Britain publishes its internationally acclaimed journal, The Music Box.
Each full-colour edition of 40 – 44 pages features a wide variety of topics, such as instruments of specific or novel interest, research, collecting tips, and restoration techniques and projects, many by world-recognised experts in their respective field. It also carries news about Society current events (meetings, visits, auctions, etc.), international mechanical music events, collections, museums and other places of interest, as well as news from other mechanical music organisations, many of them overseas.
Gain access to current and previous volumes of The Music Box journal – free to members only
