This autumn’s auction offers both rarities and delights, with plenty of red threads to follow, helping you find your way through the abundance of ships, instruments, contraptions and curiosities.

One such thread is L.M. Ericsson. We have selected around ten objects from their extensive catalogue, the majority naturally being telephones. Lars Magnus Ericsson, with his boundless ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, played a crucial role in shaping Sweden’s reputation as a technologically advanced nation. He was not the first to invent the telephone — but he certainly became the greatest. And he was quick to understand that this new invention had a future.

Among the seven telephones in this auction are some of the very earliest models produced. Notably, there are two examples of Ericsson’s hand-held magneto telephone, model 1878: a simpler version in birch and a more luxurious one in walnut with gold-embossed leather binding, a rare variant of which only just over 100 were ever made. Also on offer is a wall telephone produced between 1880 and 1885, belonging to the second-oldest model line. Its carbon microphone — described at the time as “a newer kind of microphone, eliminating the recurring need for adjustments” — replaced the earlier spiral microphone that Ericsson had used in its very first complete telephone of 1880.

For those who prefer another thread, the auction also presents music boxes. Three magnificent Swiss-made examples, all dating from 1880–1895, capture the intense yet short-lived golden age of Swiss music box production at the end of the 19th century. Here we encounter great names such as Ami Rienc, Francois Conchon, and the prolific Mermod brothers. Come by, turn the crank, and enjoy the sweet melodies.

A final thread, equally captivating, is ship portraits. Large vessels, brimming with promise and adventure — stepping aboard was to have the world at your feet. The allure of the sea is easy to understand in an age when few other means existed for long-distance travel. Among the featured artists is the Italian painter Joseph Loy, who depicted the Swedish ship Adolf Fredholm with Trieste’s coastline and the fairytale-like Miramare Castle in the background. Swedish marine artists are also well represented, including Fredrik Wilhelm Kylberg (who here painted Skagul, a vessel on which he himself served), Herman af Sillén, and the greatest of them all, Lars-Petter Sjöström.

With all this in mind, there should be something for everyone. And if you still seek guidance, please do come by and let me show you my treasures.

Welcome to Magasin 5 and the autumn auction of Technica & Nautica.

Välkommen till Magasin 5 och höstens auktion för teknika och nautika.