Antique Pathe Royal Phonograph in excellent condition and working. France, 1906

This nostalgic device is a Pathe Chante Clair phonograph made in France in 1906. This piece is an original model from the early 20th century, in magnificent condition and with the unmistakable charm of antique phonographs. The phonograph works perfectly and lets the user play opera cylinders (bigger than the standard models). It is made of wood and aluminum, being both materials wonderfully preserved. The bakelite reproducer is the original one and bears the market name Pathe embossed in its surface. The phonograph comes with a opera cylinder and it also preserves its original wooden cover in excellent condition. One of the arms that support the rods for the cylinders bear the following inscription: PATHE FRÉRÉS SYSTÉME BREVETÉ S.G.J.G. PATENTED, accompanied by a logo depicting a rooster. The history of Pathe Frérés (Pathe Brothers) started in 1894, when Charles Pathe saw an Edison phonograph in a fair and realized the economic potential of these devices. He acquired a model and started attending to fairs, earning money for every 2 minute cylinder he played. With the trace of time he began buying and selling phonographs, and in 1896 his brother Emile joined the company. Further on, Pathe Fréres started producing phonograph cylinders and manufacturing their own phonographs, just like the one we can see in these photographs. This beautiful devices motor has been fully fine-tuned in order to guarantee a perfect sound and excellent reproduction. The aluminum component parts, among which the elegant horn stands out, are also in great condition. The wooden box and its cover also look good, having been carefully restored to shine in all their glory. The box has a molded base and fine dove-tail joints, and the lovely curved cover preserves the locks and the metal handle. The opera cylinder that comes with the phonograph, also made by Pathe, comes in its original case. A witness for the overcoming of the first musical players, this amazing phonograph will fill any room with personality.