Sunday, November 4, 2012

Vintage 1971 Fisher Price Music Box Record Player

Originally introduced in 1971, the Fisher Price Music Box Record Player has been entertaining children for years! Produced near my home base in East Aurora New York, with the Musical Movement made in Japan, this is a relic of most childhood dreams.
 
The process is simple. Put one of the five double sided records on the turntable, wind it up and just like a real record player, place the needle arm on the record to hear the it play a "Music Box" version of 10 classic songs.
 
Here is the track list:
 
Record 1: Jack and Jill / Humpty Dumpty
Record 2: Au Clair de la Lune / Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Record 3: London Bridge / Oh Where has my Little Dog Gone?
Record 4: Children's Marching song / Camptown Races
Record 5: Hickory Dickory Dock / Edelweiss


 

The "needle" arm that runs across the record is really cool for a toy. The head sits across the entire surface of the record, the bumps on the record click one of the needles in the row as it passes over it and makes the music. Pretty neat!!


The records reside in an opening at the top for convenient storage.

 
I have a lot of fond memories of this toy. What a classic. This one resided at my Grandmother's house and is probably the sole reason I love the song Edelweiss. I've had this for years and to this day it still plays a beautiful tune. The vintage look, the simple function, the classic tunes cry for a simpler time. The time when a simple tune played on a simple toy could entertain a child.
 
Listen and try to not be soothed.........

 

14 comments:

  1. My sister had one of these when we were little and i still remember us playing around with way back when.

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  2. Oh wow, I had one of these! Well, technically my older sister did, and then it was handed down to me. I haven't thought about this thing in probably over 25 years. So cool to see it again in pictures.

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    1. Click the last pane and listen to it again!! Mine was originally my brothers and was kept at my Grandmothers house where it was handed down to me and I played with it. Glad I could shake loose some memories :)

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  3. I need to track one of these down for my daughter!

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    1. They still sell em although it uses a different method pf playing the sound. I may buy one for my kids so I can compare them. The original is definately a claasic though!

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  4. My sister had one of these when I was a child and I loved winding it up and listening to the music. She passed away at 13 when I was just 8 in 1979. My mom passed away several years ago and while we were going through her stuff I came across the music box. I have it now and I can't seem to part with it. Listening to the music makes me both happy and sad at the same time....

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    1. I'm sorry for your losses, but it is nice that you have something like this to hold on to the memories. God Bless.

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  5. Just found an original 1971 at my local thrift store so ecstatic about it

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  6. Just unearthed my son's record player. Does it need batteries and where do they go? Can't get it to play.

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  7. I think this is the wrong record player, the one I remember had a red plastic disk ( record) ) one of the disks played happy birthday…the words were “God bless you, now you’re 2, I’m pleased to say you’re 3 today, ?something? No more now you’re 4, 5 years is more than 4 6 is 3 plus 2 plus 1 having birthdays is so much fun, Happy Birthday Happy Birthday Also had cut it long cut it short cut it with a knife and fork” really hoped this was the player but do t think so, any ideas please ? Problemreporting@yahoo.com

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  8. Replies
    1. I have one with all five records. Looked up prices and it's in ment condition. My response is cross70@gmail.com if your interested

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  9. How long is the song on the record before it repeats ??

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