We are selling the late 1800s Patent document [Matted For Framing] for a Music Box. (Criterion Disk Music Box; Information on the boxes is below.)

Yours will have the actual date and patent number.

We have other Music Box items on this site.

This wonderful reproduction of the original patent graphic is crisply printed on luxurious Ivory Parchment Paper. It includes a white acid-free matte and is ready for insertion into a standard 8" x 10" frame for hanging. Graphic area shown is 4 1/2" x 6 1/2". Also, included are the remaining pages of the Patent Document printed on 20# white bond paper to complete the Patent information for the collector.

Image included here is low-quality for quick loading on the net with SAMPLE written across, which will not be on your print.

Makes a terrific gift for the collector or an addition to your collection!

From the Internet, some interesting information: The Criterion Music Boxes were made in America, in New Jersey, by the firm of F. G. Otto & Sons. It was marketed initially by M. J. Paillard of New York in November, 1896. Like a previous brand that Otto manufactured, this one was also challenged by the Regina Company (maker of the Regina Music Box) over patent infringements, and was replaced by another brand, the Olympia.
Olympias began to appear in 1898.

There were six different sizes of the Criterion brand, including 8-3/4
inch, 10-1/2 inch, 11-5/8 inch, 14 inch, 15-1/2 inch and 20-1/2 inch, these being the diameter of the discs they played. The discs were made of zinc on all but the smallest size machine; those were made of steel.
The discs are driven by perforations around the edge of the disc except for the smallest size which was driven by a center spindle. The rectangle shaped edge-drive perforations are reinforced on the leading edge by the metal that was punched for the perforation itself.

Most of the Criterion music boxes were of the single comb design, although many of the larger size boxes were available (and are found today) with double combs. Their cases were either mahogany or oak, most having pressed wood trim and carved panels in the front and sides.

Matching tables and disc storage bins were also available. They are a good thing to have when storing a quantity of discs to keep them from getting damaged.

The sources for this information are: Q. David Bowers' "Encyclopedia of
Automatic Musical Instruments" and Arthur W.J.G. Ord-Hume's "The Musical Box, A Guide For Collectors."

All Patent Information has been reproduced from the USPTO documents.