Featured Musical

Benjamin Franklin with Voice 

The standard Ben Franklin register  is worth about $5, but this rare version has a wind up sound mechanism on the side that's hard to find in working order. It says "A penny saved is a penny earned." Of course the voice is barely audible due to the old technology involved. It also has great detailing on all sides, including the box. I got this one in mint in box condition, which is even more unusual.

See the box which is also nicely detailed:

According to Kovels the non-voice Ben Franklin register is worth $90 which would explain why eBay sellers think it's worth so much. I disagree as I got mine for about $15, and there are plenty to go around.

Distressed Copper

I almost had heart failure when I saw this beautiful item. I love metal art, so I wanted  it for the "distressed" tin design. When you wind it up, it' plays "If I were a Rich Man" from Fiddler on the Roof. This is extremely rare, and I've only seen it for sale once (and I snapped it up!).

*A Top Ten Favorite

A heavy silver musical register that plays "happy birthday." That's a strange theme song eh? I like this one particularly because it's such a heavy silver and feels good in the hand. Godinger Silver, Made in Japan.

*A Top Ten Favorite

This older Donald Duck register plays "Freres Jacques" and the eyes rotate back and forth.  These are extremely rare. Illco, Made in Macau.

This older Mickey register plays "Farmer in the Dell" and the eyes rotate back and forth.  These are fairly rare, but not unobtainable. Illco, Made in Macau.

This unusual piece was probably a simple decorative piece before some creative person hollowed it out and put a music box mechanism inside that plays "My Way." Strangely enough, the music only plays when the register is open and on its side as below, which is an awkward design.

I found this in a store in San Diego's Old Town during one of their Mexican festivals. It plays "Pennies from Heaven." George Goodcorp, City of Industry, CA, 1988, Made in Taiwan R.O.C. 

This old fashioned replica plays "Happy Trails to You"  It's not ceramic, but that contemporary plastic/mold material. Made in China.

This is the only contemporary toy cash register designed to be musical. It plays various little tunes designed to drive any parent insane. Forever Toys, 1996, Made in China.

This 1970's cash register is unique because it talks, an extremely rare function in pre-electronic toy history. 

Box front with the phrases spoken

Alternate side drawings

Talking mechanism. Takes one D battery.

The standard Ben Franklin register  is worth about $5, but this rare version has a wind up sound mechanism on the side that's hard to find in working order. It says "A penny saved is a penny earned." Of course the voice is barely audible due to the old technology involved. It also has great detailing on all sides, including the box. I got this one in mint in box condition, which is even more unusual.

See the box which is also nicely detailed:

 According to Kovels the non-voice Ben Franklin register is worth $90 which would explain why eBay sellers think it's worth so much. I disagree as I got mine for about $15, and there are plenty to go around.

An unusual item for combining a cash register with a xylophone as well as beautiful tin lithography on all four sides. When you play the songs, which are color coded,  it sounds just like those xylophone toys. This one is truly special as well as quite rare because it came with all three two sided musical sheets as well as a nearly mint box.  Marx Toys, Made in Japan.

Side 1

Back View

Side 2

Farmer in the Dell

Frere Jacques

Home Sweet Home

London Bridges

Oh Suzannah

Row Row Row your Boat

Box Front

Box Side

These Circa 1950's registers are remarkably heavy duty. This particular one is one of a kind, but the red and silver standards can be fairly easily procured. I scored this for $35 on an eBay "buy it now," one of my luckiest purchases.

More on the Kamkap unusual music and pictures of it from a 1960's Top Value catalogue.

This contemporary Barney register is wonderfully unique in several ways. The voice of the actual Barney sings the "Please and Thank You" song, and you can see Purple Barney climbing right out of the top of the register, a wonderful design element. I must add that I deeply pity any parent who has to listen to that annoying song over and over. 

United Kingdom Musical

This musical cash register is bound to drive any parent insane, but it does play some interesting songs including Adelveis, B-I-N-G-O, Doe a Dear  My Fair Lady, and Joy to the World. Even more interesting is the fact that this toy was design for children in the U.K., not for kids in the USA which is typical of most toys. You can tell because of the Lira sign on the button as well as the rather odd choice of music.