Antique Antique Gramophone Pathephone No. 8, France, 1915

Wonderful antique Pathephone Nº 8 gramophone in great condition and good working order. This gramophone was made in France by the famous firm Pathé Frères. It is dated in the early 20th century (1915) and has been restored in order to show off the amazing look that we can appreciate in the photographs. All the component parts and pieces of this gramophone are original from the period except for the felt that coves the turntable. The motor has also been cleaned and tuned: today it provides a silent operation and the gramophone sounds really fine. The gramophone mounts a reproducer with sapphire needle (permanent), original from the period. It comes with six Pathè records to be played, too. The gramophones box is a stunning walnut wooden piece with hand-carved molding and sides decorated with diamond-shaped wood veneers. The wood has been restored and boasts a great satin French-polish finish. The elbow and tone-arm set, designed to support and connect the reproducer and the horn, is made of chrome-plated metal and looks great. The elbow is decorated with nice engraved volutes. The reproducer bears the printed manufacturers name PATHÉ and bears delicate modernist-style engraved motives. Last but not least, the horn is an outstanding Morning Glorymetal piece with the original light-blue-enameled finish wonderfully preserved. Imposing and authentic, this superb antique Pathephone Nº 8 gramophone will stand out in a classy music room or in the living room of the stylish music lover. Measurements: Box: Side: 14.9 in / 38 cm. Height: 7 in / 18 cm. Elbows Height: 16.5 in / 42 cm. Horn: Length: 22.8 in / 58 cm. Mouths Width: 18.8 in / 48 cm. Pathé Fréres - History The company was founded as Société Pathé Frères in Paris, France in 1896, by the four brothers Charles, Émile, Théophile and Jacques Pathé. During the first part of the 20th century, Pathé became the largest film equipment and production company in the world, as well as a major producer of phonograph records. Charles Pathé had helped open a gramophone shop in 1894 and established a phonograph factory at Chatou. Having decided to expand the record business to include film equipment, the company expanded dramatically. To finance its growth, the company took the name Compagnie Générale des Établissements Pathé Frères Phonographes & Cinématographes. In 1902, Pathé acquired the Lumière brothers' patents; by 1909, they had built more than 200 movie theaters in France and Belgium. By the following year they had facilities in Madrid, Moscow, Rome and New York City plus Australia and Japan. Prior to the outbreak of World War I, Pathé dominated Europe's market in motion picture cameras and projectors.