i'm afraid i have to disagree with helen – the andy williams song wasnt actually even written until the 70s and the tune is different. The music is so very fittingly 'Le Coucou' (the cuckoo!) by Daquin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bf-Cpw8oJc
This is confusing! The gentleman that sold it to me told me it was 1940s and judging by the wear it does look that old. But I do think the music sounds more like '(Where do I begin) Love Story', which indeed wasn't made until the 1970s. Hmmm.
i'm as certain as can be it's the daquin – i think it sounds different though because it's old and the mechanism is skipping a bit so the timing is off. that box *definitely* doesnt look 1970s though and le coucou is often used in music boxes and is even more perfect for one with birds! i used to have just a normal music box with it as the tune though, and i used to play along on the piano when i was little! It's a pretty piece. If you find a slower version than the rachmaninoff performance you can pick out the notes a little clearer, like this …
actually, it is indeed the theme from Love Story. my cousin had a similar music box growing up with the same tune. it's quite common! there is no mistaking it. i'm fond of daquin, but it isn't him :)
this one is almost identical to the one my cousin had–the fabric is definitely later than 1940s on both of them (my cousin's was bought at woolworth's). it is so cute! sorry for taking up so many comments…
You have NO idea how much I envy you for having this music box. Birds are my favorite thing in this entire world and I love that song. If you are ever going to sell this or give it away for some bizarre reason, please tell me. I will pay good money for this!
This is such an enchanting music box, I haven't found one that plays "Love Story" before and I have never seen a birdcage one. That is just adorable and is indeed a prized possession.
I have the exact same one! Mine plays Lara's theme from Dr. Zchivago (sorry i cant spell that!)…so it must be 1960s. I love your video the light is beautiful!
I used to have doves that turned around on a carousel to the theme from Love Story, I love that movie!I also love love your video clip, so cute! Your blog is divine! Long live vintage! x
dear everyone, there is currently a music box of this sort on ebay! It's a little out of my price range but thought it would be worth telling people. A beautiful object!
Little Treasures June 18, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Gorgeous! (I am sorry but I wouldn't know about the music).
Helen June 18, 2010 at 5:30 pm
The music is "(Where do I begin) Love Story". :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28Where_Do_I_Begin%3F%29_Love_Story
joninel June 18, 2010 at 5:31 pm
gorgeous photos :)
calivintage June 18, 2010 at 5:36 pm
ah! i had no idea how captivated i could be by a little video of a music box. love!
Hannah June 18, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Thank you Helen!
jane June 18, 2010 at 5:47 pm
i'm afraid i have to disagree with helen – the andy williams song wasnt actually even written until the 70s and the tune is different. The music is so very fittingly 'Le Coucou' (the cuckoo!) by Daquin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bf-Cpw8oJc
lovely lovely music box….
Roxanne Rosensteel June 18, 2010 at 5:49 pm
I could have sworn that it is the theme from Love Story. I have a music box with that same tune! Yours is extra lovely though : )
Hannah June 18, 2010 at 6:07 pm
This is confusing! The gentleman that sold it to me told me it was 1940s and judging by the wear it does look that old. But I do think the music sounds more like '(Where do I begin) Love Story', which indeed wasn't made until the 1970s. Hmmm.
jane June 18, 2010 at 6:16 pm
i'm as certain as can be it's the daquin – i think it sounds different though because it's old and the mechanism is skipping a bit so the timing is off. that box *definitely* doesnt look 1970s though and le coucou is often used in music boxes and is even more perfect for one with birds! i used to have just a normal music box with it as the tune though, and i used to play along on the piano when i was little! It's a pretty piece. If you find a slower version than the rachmaninoff performance you can pick out the notes a little clearer, like this …
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzT0tBuVbJ0&NR=1
(how cute is she?!)
Graham June 18, 2010 at 6:38 pm
actually, it is indeed the theme from Love Story. my cousin had a similar music box growing up with the same tune. it's quite common! there is no mistaking it. i'm fond of daquin, but it isn't him :)
Graham June 18, 2010 at 6:42 pm
oops! i also meant to say that obviously, the music box is not so old if the theme from Love Story is the piece playing.
http://www.amazon.com/Cylinder-Musical-Box-Technology-Including/dp/0930256220/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276886524&sr=1-8
i recommend this book if you want to research it further. it's great!
Graham June 18, 2010 at 6:48 pm
http://www.etsy.com/listing/27897231/vintage-music-box-retro-kitschy-bird
this one is almost identical to the one my cousin had–the fabric is definitely later than 1940s on both of them (my cousin's was bought at woolworth's). it is so cute! sorry for taking up so many comments…
Jessica Nascimento June 18, 2010 at 6:57 pm
You have NO idea how much I envy you for having this music box. Birds are my favorite thing in this entire world and I love that song. If you are ever going to sell this or give it away for some bizarre reason, please tell me. I will pay good money for this!
Amanda Atkins June 18, 2010 at 7:28 pm
the song: "where do I begin"
that is the most beautiful music box I've ever seen!
ergyerg June 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm
That is so sweet! You're very lucky to have found it!
And very sweet video too :)
xxxxxxx
raspberry pancakes June 18, 2010 at 7:46 pm
such a great find!
http://www.raspberry-pancakes.blogspot.com
anni June 18, 2010 at 8:08 pm
That's so beautiful, that I almost cry… I love that song from Love Story :)
Kim June 18, 2010 at 9:17 pm
This is so beautiful, it hurts. I love how you showed it to the blogging world. It makes it even more pretty. .x.x.x
Cloudhunter June 18, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Still sounds more like "Love Story" to me than "Le coucou". Though that is just my humble opinion.
What ever it is, it's a really lovely tune in a really sweet music box!
Helen
simonesays June 18, 2010 at 11:17 pm
can't get over this. absolutely beautiful.
rebecca June 18, 2010 at 11:17 pm
That video made me so much happier that it should've (:
http://itscohen.blogspot.com/
Tash June 19, 2010 at 1:03 am
that is just the sweetest little thing ever
rosanguyen June 19, 2010 at 2:18 am
This is such an enchanting music box, I haven't found one that plays "Love Story" before and I have never seen a birdcage one. That is just adorable and is indeed a prized possession.
soph (owl vs. dove) June 19, 2010 at 2:40 am
This is just delightful!
Mel June 19, 2010 at 2:52 am
This is so lovely and adorable!
Caitlyn, Bees with Feathers June 19, 2010 at 4:38 am
So so pretty!
the exhausted etiquette (kirstine) June 19, 2010 at 6:24 am
oh my gosh!
I love it! The best part is that you can store little things in it!
The video was also very well done, hannah!
much love,
kirstine.
Tonia June 19, 2010 at 8:06 am
That looked as though it should have been the opening to some weird and wonderful fairytale!
Polly June 19, 2010 at 9:40 am
Wow that is soooo cute! And it's so sweet and small. I am very jealous, you always find such lovely things :) x
Lauh June 19, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Omg, this is so beautiful. It took my breath away. I loved it… It's such a precious thing!
Saoirse June 19, 2010 at 4:15 pm
This is gorgeous!!!!! i love the video, it's so so sweet.
Anonymous June 19, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Oh my that is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen! Where do you find your treasures? Love it x
Missa June 20, 2010 at 3:57 am
Precious Hannah, both the music box and that little video you made!
taylorkitto June 20, 2010 at 6:38 pm
ah this is so lovely i can't begin to express how much i love it.
the little video is darling!!
Ju June 21, 2010 at 12:35 am
Aww, it's lovely! I love birds and this music box is really, really cute =)
Stephie June 21, 2010 at 4:01 pm
that is so sweet! you always manage to find such lovely things!
steph x – lemonadeandlimedrops.blogspot.com
bookworm June 21, 2010 at 5:41 pm
Beautiful photos, those birds look so cute.
Gaia x x x
http://24bookslater.blogspot.com/
Ashlee June 22, 2010 at 8:58 pm
i bought my mama a little music box like this…except it shaped like a rectangle and there is only one little bird.
lovely.
Girl 1 June 23, 2010 at 5:23 am
Cute! Never give this treasure away :)
Victorious Youth Shop
Amy June 23, 2010 at 7:17 am
You have been given an award!!!
Please check out link below-
http://lifeandstyleofasmalltowngirl.blogspot.com/2010/06/first-award.html
Miss Madeline June 23, 2010 at 10:25 am
it's gorgeous, so sweet in action as well!
Little Monarch June 24, 2010 at 5:13 pm
pretty birdies <3
Iris June 25, 2010 at 7:16 am
aww the photos are so precious and i love the video for it.
I love your blog, I followed!
http://wehavenostyle.blogspot.com
artemis June 26, 2010 at 2:25 pm
I have the exact same one! Mine plays Lara's theme from Dr. Zchivago (sorry i cant spell that!)…so it must be 1960s. I love your video the light is beautiful!
Release Karma June 27, 2010 at 12:01 pm
That is precious. I love your music box!!
Sadie's Wardrobe June 28, 2010 at 11:04 am
It sounds a lot like Le Coucou to me!
The video is really really really sweet – you should definitely make some more!
xxx
Lulu Peddar June 28, 2010 at 2:43 pm
I used to have doves that turned around on a carousel to the theme from Love Story, I love that movie!I also love love your video clip, so cute! Your blog is divine! Long live vintage! x
Kate July 16, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Seeing this has made my day :)
pink lady August 9, 2010 at 9:59 pm
wooow. your blog is lovely.
i can't say anything more. I'm in love.
Lissy August 31, 2010 at 10:44 am
dear everyone, there is currently a music box of this sort on ebay! It's a little out of my price range but thought it would be worth telling people. A beautiful object!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BIRD-CAGE-MUSIC-BOX-DRAWER-/260654930946?pt=UK_Collectables_Household_RL
ps. love the blog, and the background noise on the video is enchanting!
Nicky October 2, 2010 at 4:34 pm
So lovely! I had a jewelry box when I was little that played the same tune! There's something a little sad about it!