The Coq in French means "rooster," the feisty bird that has been representative of France for ages. In fact, the image of the rooster is found in a couple places on this beautiful, pristine instrument. The polished walnut cabinet, the stunning decal, the luster of the shiny nickel plating are all dazzling, but what impresses the most is the sophisticated technology of the design. Whereas most cylinder talking machines require two actions to begin playing a record -- first you turn the motor on, secondly you engage the stylus with the record -- this clever Pathé system performs both fuctions with a single movement of your hand. PLEASE NOTE -- it would take Edison another 8 years and much effort and money-spent to come up with a similarly simple technique to apply toi his Phonographs.
The advanced Pathé design was a refinement of an earlier configuration that the mail order company Girard had devised when selling Pathé machines through catalogues and advertising. The reproducer was allowed to "float" (in order to avoid the chance of skipping of a groove). The mechanism is capable of playing any 2-minute cylinder record, Edison, Columbia, etc. However, Pathé added a supplemental telescoping mandrel in order to play its line of "Inter" ("Intermediate") cylinders. The larger diameter of these records was intended to produce slightly improved sound quality. The "Inter" mandrel is removeable when a "regular sized" Edison or Columbia cylinder is selected. The "floating" reproducer arrangement makes for a seamless transition between the Inter and regular records. Inter cylinders were branded under the title "Salon" in Great Britain, hence they are often known by that name in the USA..
The gleaming, nickel-plated mechanism. Please note the springs are wound by a crank. This was a great Pathé improvement -- the more common winding key, similar to a clock key, was upgraded to a crank, allowing for easier operation. If only similar machines, such as the Columbia "Eagle," had offered that option in the USA!
The polished walnut cabinet, original finish. This arrangement was known as "reversible," since the mechanical works can be conveniently inverted for safety and storage. On the original decal, the Pathé motto reads, "I sing (or play) loud and clear." Furthermore, the original seller added its own banners above and below the conventional decal, reading, "L. Laisné, distributor" with two addresses in Paris.
Here we see the mechanical works securely stowed inside the "reversible" walnut cabinet.
This is truly an extraordinary instrument and one that is both a visual delight, and capable of high quality reproduction. No American mechanism ever attained quite this level of charm, generously mixed with eccentricty! Furthermore, this instrrument opens up a world of interesting music and singing on the Inter (Salon) cylinders. We are giving one Inter cylinder with the machine, and we have quite a few more available at additional cost.
Price: $895.00, including one "regular" 2-minute cylinder record and one larger "Inter" cylinder record, plus s/h (NY State residents must add tax).
Contact: phonotim@gmail.com
Telephone: 585-244-5546
US Post: PHONOPHAN
PO Box 747
Henrietta, NY 14467 USA
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