François Nicole 4379 with "Rigid Notation" grid („Gitterliniatur“) on the cylinder


Plain fruitwood case with exposed controls with turned handles, the interior lined in blue paper, with hand-written tune-sheet, with key (in very good playing condition; long-dead woodworm in case) (no serial number on base).


Stamped on the on the comb: François Nicole, serial 12070



Playing the overture to Gazza Ladra (Rossini) in two revolutions and Andante & Allegro from Adelaide di Borgogna (Rossini)


The comb in two main parts with 8-tooth section at treble end and five wider spaced extreme bass teeth


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14 ¼ in. wide, the cylinder 10 x 2 ½ in (25.2 x 6.2 cm) diam., 1822-25 (203 teeth)

(Literature: see Ison, R: 'Boxes by Francois Nicole and Freres Nicole', The Music Box, Vol 21 No. 3, 2003; 'The Products of François Nicole and Frères Nicole', in The Nicole Factor, Chapter 3, (MBSGB 2006); and 'Francois Nicole and his Place in History', The Music Box, Vol 27 No. 2, 2015. The conclusion was made that the mis-named "rigid notation", or squared grid on the cylinders, was unique to Francois Nicole products, noted for their outstanding quality.)


By courtesy of Hugo Marsh, joining to Special Auction Services in June 2009 as a Director