Name/Title
Phonograph E. Bouquette – ParisEntry/Object ID
175Description
E. Bouquette Phonograph – Paris, France – c. 1900
One of only two known surviving examples
This exceptionally rare phonograph was manufactured around 1900 by E. Bouquette in Paris. Bouquette was a respected maker of fine mechanical scientific instruments—particularly optical devices and microscopes—who ventured into phonograph production only for a brief period. He applied the same precision, attention to detail, and elegant design found in his scientific instruments to his talking machines.
Construction and Design
All mechanical parts are made of finely crafted, lacquered brass, typical of high‑quality French precision instruments of the era. The horn is an artfully made “Cor de Chasse”‑style brass horn, visually impressive and acoustically efficient. The mechanism is elegantly housed in a polished wooden cabinet. A finely engraved front plaque reads:
E. Bouquette – Paris – 1900
The soundbox is the French type “Le Français” with dome, optimized for the sensitive playback of wax cylinders. A matching storage case for the soundbox and counterweight often accompanied the machine.
Technical Features
Drive: Precision spring motor with side crank
Horn: Lacquered brass “Cor de Chasse” style
Soundbox: French “Le Français” type with dome
Cabinet: Polished hardwood with brass fittings
Historical Context
Around 1900, the French phonograph market was dominated by major manufacturers such as Pathé. Smaller independent workshops like Bouquette rarely produced their own phonographs—usually in very small numbers, aimed at a wealthy clientele that valued aesthetic refinement and technical excellence.
This machine clearly reflects the influence of precision engineering from the field of scientific instrument‑making on early entertainment technology. Its mechanical execution and flawless finish recall the craftsmanship of fine microscopes.
Rarity and Significance
Today, only two examples of the Bouquette phonograph are known to exist, making it one of the rarest French phonographs of its period. Its survival is owed to the masterful craftsmanship and the very limited original production.
The example on display at the Edisonium stands as an impressive testament to French artisanal skill from the dawn of sound recording and ranks among the highlights for connoisseurs and collectors of rare and beautiful phonographs.
