Musical box
Kaye
Category
Musical instruments, devices and recordings
Date
c. 1950 - 1959
Materials
Printed paper and metal
Measurements
140 mm (height) x 96 mm (width) x 23 mm (depth)
Place of origin
London
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 672367
Summary
A manually operated (not clockwork) musical box whose lid is also a birthday card. The box is made of cardboard which is covered with red paper decorated with white musical notes. The front of the card has an image of a seated little girl who is holding a baby's bottle and smiling at two kittens in a doll's rocking cradle, along with the phrase 'Happy Birthday to you!' Inside the card, on the left, is the sheet music for the song ('Happy Birthday to you') and on the right-hand side is the greeting 'This little song is sent your way, to bring you joy on your Birthday!' The musical box is operated by turning a small metal handle with a red wooden bead on the end which protrudes from the right-hand side of the box.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood in 2017. It had belonged to the donor's wife Gillian (b 1944).
Makers and roles
Kaye , manufacturer