Pathe Demonstration Record 1914 played on a Pathe Solophone Phonograph
Here is an original Pathe Demonstration Record "Exhibiting the superiority of tone of a Pathe Recording." I would imagine that this recording was used by Pathe Dealers across the USA when Pathe was trying to gain a foothold in the American Phonograph Market beginning in 1914. The record promotes the advantages of the permanent Sapphire ball needle used to play the Vertical Groove Pathe records and the fact that they will not rip and tear and wear your record like the Steel needle system of the Competitors. The Phonograph is a very rare Pathe Solophone Model 125 from the late 19teens. The Solophone Phonograph was mfg. by the Solophone Phonograph Company of Harrison, New Jersey (Note the face of the reproducer still says SOLOPHONE not Pathe), and was originally advertised in "Talking Machine World" in 1916. The Company was not in business very long and their remaining inventory of phonographs were probably bought up by Pathe, and The ID plates were changed and the Phonographs were then sold as a Pathe Solophone. According to "Pathe Phonographs & Records in America 1914-1922 " this is thought to be the only survivor of this model known to exist. The reproducer is also capable of playing regular lateral groove records by removing the Pathe Sapphire Ball needle and inserting a regular steel needle after adjusting the set screw and swiveling the head to the correct position for play. As far as I can see the Solophone Phonograph had only one unique feature, notice at the tone arm base, that there is a small gold lever. This moves in semi-circle back and forth and operates a rotating baffle inside the base of the Tone arm as a "Tone" or Volume control. It is the only phonograph I have come across with the rotating internal baffle.
Comments
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HI I have a Pathe that looks almost identical to this. It is a Model 125.Stand up phonograph, it still works It does not have that metal plate on the back of the cover, it says pathe in gold and in the top where the turntable is at it has a plate that is metal that says Pathe Press Model 125. Did they make any of these models that are not display models?
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Congratulations on your purchase. Did your Pathe come with the correct Sapphire Ball stylus to play Pathe Records ? Sometimes they get lost over the years and people find the machines and destroy the records by playing them with a steel needle !
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Thanks! Any idea on what to ask for it if I sell?
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The Model 7 dates from about 1917 and sold for $95.00 originally. (There was price range of various Pathe Machines that ran from $32.50 up to $225.00) It was offered in either Mahogany or Oak (Golden or fumed) and all exposed parts were nickel plated and it came with a universal tone arm (meaning it could play both vertical or lateral records). Pathe Volume control, Pathe Reproducer, Sapphire Ball Stylus, and double Spring Motor. Dimensions were 18" wide, by 19 1/2 " deep by 41 1/2" high.
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Sorry it took me so long. I posted on the wrong part. It is a Model 7 serial:26379 NY, NY Thanks again!
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I like how it says with care your grandchildren will be listening to this...well we are today!
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If you just give the basic information about the Pathe Machine, Model number or Model Name, I should be able to supply you with an approx. date of Mfg. If you post in right here under the comments section, others could respond as well. Thanks for watching. Bruce
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Do you have contace info that you casn post? I own one of these Pathe', which I believe is a bit older than this model. I would appreciate any. Thanks mr_aharris@yahoo.com
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Thanks for uploading this, I much enjoyed the demonstration disc, and reading about your 'Solophone' I use a 'Marathon' gramophone for some of my uploads, it also has a swivel, making it possible to play 'Marathon' records. 'Marathons' were only produced 1912-1915, an early attempt at long playing. They were vertical cut, but played with a steel needle. Pathes could, of course be played, provided a stylus was fitted. I sometimes upload Pathes & Marathons on my channel.
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What an awesome disc! Teaching us from the past. Fabulous!
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Very educational! I love learning stuff like this. Thanks so much for sharing your collection!
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Interesting! The announcer sounds like Len Spencer, who also did the Edison Advertising Record; this must have been recorded in 1914, shortly before he died....
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Is he introducing it as 'Paddie' or 'Pattie?' I always thought it was pronounced 'Path-ay.'
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It seems strange to hear one of these with english on it instead of french.
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Why don't you try searching on Google? Should you type in Phonographs, you may very well be lucky!
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Ditto! I wholeheartedly agree with you: whilst record players and records are still widely available, there aren't nearly so many of this particular style and swish model around! BRING 'EM ON BACK, PLEASE?!
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@vinylseat You never know, he could be the Edwardian equivalent of the "In a world..." movie announcer we have nowadays.
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@riqzster Indeed it was. I wish they still made these old records though!
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Well they made good on their promise, it lasted as long as they said it would!
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Most enlightening! Even more educating than usual!
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