The French Pathé company began by imitating American machines, but very quickly soared into new territories of design. This instrument suggests a Graphophone in its overall look, and indeed, the motor is massive and heavily built with lots of brass gears such as Graphophones used in their early years. Note, this top-of-the-line model has THREE different mandrels that "telescope," so that you can play any Edison, Columbia or other brand of 2-minute cylinder record, PLUS the "in-between" sized "Inter" (for "intermediate") cylinders that Pathé specialized in, PLUS any 5" diameter "Concert" or "Grand" cylinder record, such as were sold plentifully in the USA and abroad. THREE types of turn-of-the-twentieth-century record, all playable on this amazing, high-end instrument. Here we see the large diameter mandrel put in place to play any Edison "Concert" or Columbia "Grand" record, and to the side, the "Intermediate" mandrel. Inter cylinders are often called "Salon" because they were sold under that name in England.
Incomparable decoration -- like nothing ever found on an American machine -- features a rooster -- in a pose suggested by "His Master's Voice," in front of a cylinder talking machine. Condition is practically brand new! In this image, the Intermediate mandrel has replaced the Concert mandrel. Unlike most cylinder machines, including even the best Edison and Columbia models, the clever Pathé design requires only one movement of the hand to both start the motor and engage the playing mechanism -- truly simpler and better than the vaunted competition!
The vivid decoration shows richly against the solid walnut cabinet, with original finiah.
Even the winding crank is elegant -- and it looks as fresh and new as the day it was made.
The gear train charms with its sinuous, narrow cover. Pathé was indeed the soul of elegance.
Their patented "floating horn" system put the absolute least stress on the records, and deftly and painlessly allowed switching between ALL THREE SIZES OF CYLINDER.
Remember, the No.4 will play ordinary 2-minute cylinder records, as well as the special Pathé "Inter" cylinders, AND the 5" diameter records. We are including one INTER and one CONCERT (or Grand) record for your convenience; we are including one Edison regular-size records as well.
The Pathé No.4 is an instrument of fascinating and sophisticated technology. Beautiful, quaint, clever, charming, sophisticated. Just the magic carpet to transport you back to La Belle Epoque!
Price: $2250.00, including the cyinders as listed above, plus s/h (NY State residents must add sales tax, if applicable).
Contact: phonotim@gmail.com
Telephone: 585-582-1586
FAX: 585-582-2624
US Post: phonophan
PO Box 747
Henrietta, NY 14467 USA