Name/Title
Pathé “Salon No. 11” – Empire‑Style Standing PathephoneEntry/Object ID
192Description
Pathé Frères, Paris, France – ca. 1908–1912
On display at the Edisonium Mariazell
The “Salon No. 11” is an impressive example of the large‑format disc‑playing machines produced by the French company Pathé, designed specifically for prestigious interiors such as hotels, restaurants, salons, and refined private homes. It combines the technology of a conventional Pathé phonograph with the appearance of an elegant Empire‑style furniture piece.
Historical context
At the beginning of the 20th century, Pathé Frères was the leading producer of records and talking machines in France. In addition to compact home models, Pathé also developed prestigious large‑scale machines aimed at public entertainment venues and the upper‑class domestic market.
The term “Salon” was used by Pathé in two different ways:
To describe a special 3 ½‑inch diameter cylinder format marketed in Great Britain as “Salon Records.”
To designate large cabinet‑style Pathéphones, such as the “No. 11,” where the mechanical works and horn were built into a free‑standing, richly finished wooden cabinet.
Construction and design
Cabinet: Solid polished wood in Empire style, with prominent columns, moulded cornices, and shaped plinth feet.
Front: Double upper doors with decorative grilles backed by fabric, concealing the large internal metal horn.
Interior: Integrated Pathéphone motor unit with a flared, fixed horn outlet designed for optimum resonance within the cabinet.
Record storage: Multiple shelves in the lower section for large‑diameter Pathé discs (30 cm, 35 cm, and 50 cm).
Technical features
The “Salon No. 11” houses a conventional Pathé spring‑driven motor with front‑mounted controls. The large internal metal horn is permanently fixed and tuned to the cabinet acoustics. The machine is designed for Pathé sapphire‑stylus records cut with vertical grooves (inside‑out play) and uses the typical Pathé sapphire tonearm with a fixed stylus.
Use and presence
The large Salon models were typically placed in:
Hotels – for music in lobbies and dining rooms
Restaurants and cafés – as an acoustic centrepiece in upscale establishments
Private salons – as a status symbol and decorative focal point in affluent homes
With its imposing height of around 1.68 m, fine furniture finish, and strong sound projection, the “Salon No. 11” served as both a musical instrument and a decorative statement piece.
Rarity
Although Pathé produced numerous table and cabinet phonographs, large Salon models like the “No. 11” are now scarce. Well‑preserved examples retaining their original horn, intact sapphire tonearm, and complete internal fittings – such as the example in the Edisonium – are highly prized by museums and collectors alike.
