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Baker-Troll
| Name: | Baker-Troll |
|---|---|
| Dates: |
()
1868 - 1900 (Life/Active Dates)
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| Biography/History: | George Baker (also known as Geo. Baker) and Samuel Troll worked independently beforel 1868, when a catalogue came out titled G. BAKER-TROLL & Co.. Other records suggest that their partnership as Baker-Troll started in 1874. The company name reverted to Geo. Baker & Co. c. 1891, but soon after Baker began to give up parts of the business. Subsequently it was advertised as 'late Baker-Troll' until c.1900. Chevob & Co. took over the business soon after 1900. Records for Baker musical boxes are sparse after 1890. After Baker gained his independence in 1891 it is rare to find his name on a tune sheet as: Geo. Baker & Co., Manufacturers, GENEVA. Samuel Troll may have retained or taken over parts of their previously joint business. A rare embossed metal label for Samuel Troll, found on a Mermod Stella disc box clearly states: 'late Geo. Baker & Co.'. At this time he was most probably acting as an agent and not a maker. There is no dating evidence for Baker-Troll cylinder boxes after 1895 so it seems they ceased to produce them; there is some evidence they may have acted as agents in the later years. Early Baker-Troll movements were pinned in line with the Geneva practice of 'last tune on the tracks'. Most Geo. Baker movements also have the last two numbers of the serial number stamped onto the governor vanes and great wheel and sometimes on other parts such as bearing brackets. Baker-Troll offered massive interchangeable movements with elaborate furniture that sometimes show no trace of a serial number. Those of his with tune-change indicators often had Roman numerals engraved; one, called a Quintete, was exhibited at the Geneva National Exhibition of 1896. The movements are more frequently seen with nickel-plated components. Another feature of some Baker-Troll movements is the safety check. Harpe Harmonique Piccolo musical boxes were popular in Geneva and made by most makers; one by Baker-Troll, serial 13890, is identified as such only by the name TROLL AND BAKER stamped in very small letters on the governor, between the endless and the hole for the securing screw. A Baker-Troll catalogue dated about 1890-92 comprises a huge range of mechanical musical instruments. Baker-Troll also added their tune sheets to other maker's instruments. https://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/Digests/201210/2012.10.30.01.html |