Rare Upright 19 5/8-Inch Polyphon Walnut Music Box by Nicole Frères

Leipzig, circa 1900, jeweled double comb instrument with coin-operated chute and pull out drawer, playing 19 5/8-inch discs, gilt bed plate signed "POLYPHON", disc securing arm stamped with serial 11407, set within an ornate carved walnut veneered case, the gadrooned cornice carved "POLYPHON" to the front frieze, above a glass front arch door with reticulated spandrels, flanked by two turned front columns, raised on two front feet and carved posterior bracket feet and apron, crank lever and coin slot to the right case, additional coin slot to left, with labels signed "NICOLE FRERES - LEIPZIG."
Together with a later walnut veneered storage cabinet featuring carved flowering urn in niche double doors, carved pyramidal and fluted moldings, raised on foliate carved feet. Includes (5) discs ranging in size 19 5/8 - 20 1/2 in., and a collection of English pennies for playing.

Overall height 75 1/2 in.; music box 38 1/4 x 27 x 15 1/4; cabinet 37 12 x 37 1/2 x 18 in.

From the Collection of Wade Woodleif, Henderson, North Carolina

Instrument operating at the time of evaluation with good sound; cases with some surface scratches, edge wear and nicks to edges; some small areas of veneer loss; wood loss to right spandrels of music box door.