Beautiful antique phonograph "Le Virtuose" in working order. France, 1898

Stunning antique Le Virtuose phonograph in good condition and in working order, although it doen't sound very clear. This item was made in France in the late 19th century (1898). It has a lovely silvery-metal hunting-bugle horn, rosewood box and black-lacquered wooden base. The mechanism has been revised and adjusted to provide a good working order.The motor is somewhat noisy this is an inherent feature in old-time players, as the technology of the period was not developed enough as to guarantee a quality reproduction. One of the boxs sides bears a golden decal with the phonographs logo: a lyre with a singing bird and the name VIRTUOSE. This decal is in very good condition, complete and shiny. The Virtuose phonograph was designed and commercialized by Jérôme-Thibouville-Lamy, a Parisian company that manufactured musical instruments. Their products were so good that in 1877, the founder was awarded the Legion of Honor. As well as instruments, the company also produced some phonographs like the one that we can see in the photographs; it was advertised as La Machine Qui Parle (the talking machine). Their mechanisms were identical to the Columbia Graphophone Type B. This particular phonograph comes with an Edison cylinder, original from the period and perfect to be played with it. The phonograph draws our attention for its nice design and good condition the hunting-bugle horn looks shiny and fine, with just slight signs of the trace of time. The same can be said about all the metal component parts that make up the mechanism. The box displays the rosewoods great beauty, with its dark and irregular veneer on a light brown background. It is protected by a discreet French-polish finish that provides it with glow and depth. Surely, this antique phonograph will delight the best collectors of musical antiques. Measurements: Height: 23.6 in / 60 cm. Horns Mouth: 10.6 in / 27 cm diameter. Box: Width: 13.3 in / 34 cm. Height: 6.2 in / 16 cm. Depth: 9.4 in / 24 cm.