Name/Title
Idéal‑Phonographe – Cylinder VersionEntry/Object ID
160Description
Maison de la Bonne Presse, Paris, France – ca. 1905–1910
The Idéal‑Phonographe was marketed under the in‑house brand of the Paris‑based Maison de la Bonne Presse, a religious publishing house. In addition to its core business of books and periodicals, the company also offered phonographs and sound recordings – both as a complement to its editorial products and as stand‑alone merchandise.
This version was designed exclusively for the playback of cylinders and was available in two finishes:
Polished and lacquered brass (as shown in the Edisonium)
Nickel‑plated
Technical Features
Interchangeable mandrel: Removable cylinder holder for Concert‑size cylinders with a 5‑inch diameter.
Reproducer: Original Le Cahit sound box, made of ebonite, designed specifically for cylinder playback.
Drive: Spring‑motor, hand‑wound, for continuous and stable rotation.
Horn: Large, curved horn in brass or nickel‑plated metal, fixed‑mounted.
Operation
To play, the desired cylinder is slid onto the mandrel, the tonearm with the reproducer is gently lowered into place, and the spring‑motor is wound using the hand crank. The precision spring mechanism ensures even rotation and clear reproduction.
Historical Significance
The Idéal‑Phonographe was a representative and durable French‑market phonograph aimed at a cultured, well‑to‑do clientele. The Concert‑cylinder version offered particularly high volume and rich tone, making it well suited for presentations in larger spaces.
Rarity
Complete examples – especially with their original Le Cahit reproducer and matching horn – are rare today. The brass version, such as the one displayed in the Edisonium, is considerably less common than the nickel‑plated variant.
