Mechanical Music Through the Ages

A collection of Mechanical Music and Arcade Machines – highlighting examples of the development in mechanical entertainment over time.

Mermod Freres Jacot’s 12 Air Music Box Coin operated 1880 – (Switzerland)

Jacot and Sons was an importer in New York City that held patents for a device that “checked” the music box cylinder and kept it from spinning too fast and damaging the pins and teeth of the combs. Most of the boxes with Jacot’s Safety Checks were made by Mermod Freres of Ste. Croix, Switzerland. The box below is coin operated. The coins are inserted where you see the brass strip and slot opening at the right hand front, of the dust cover.