Name/Title
Phonographe Mazo Scolaire “Haut-parleur”Entry/Object ID
170Description
Phonographe Mazo Scolaire “Haut-parleur”
E. Mazo, Paris – c. 1903
French School Phonograph with Large Hunting Horn
Historical Background
Parisian dealer and publisher Élie Mazo operated his business around 1900 at 8, Boulevard de Magenta, Paris. In addition to publishing and selling sheet music, Mazo specialized in the sale and promotion of phonographs and cylinder recordings. He was well known for his imaginative marketing campaigns, aimed specifically at schools, educational institutions, and cultural associations.
In 1903, Mazo advertised his “Phonographe Scolaire Haut-parleur” – literally “School Phonograph with Loudspeaker” – in the magazine Ombres et Lumière. This model was designed primarily for schools to enrich teaching and language instruction through acoustic demonstrations.
Construction and Technical Features
Mechanism: Based on a high‑quality phonograph movement produced by the Ullmann brothers, adapted for the French market.
Horn: Nickel‑plated cor de chasse (hunting horn) for powerful sound projection.
Reproducer: “Grand Troubadour” soundbox, optimized for clear and loud reproduction.
Cabinet: Mahogany case with colorful, artistically designed Mazo company decal prominently displaying the address and brand name.
Purpose and Use
The Haut-parleur was specifically intended for use in larger rooms, where an ordinary horn phonograph would not have been sufficient. Schools could use it to play music, language lessons, poetry readings, or scientific recordings for an entire class to hear.
Advertising and Pricing
Advertisements promised “guaranteed operation” and praised the high satisfaction among hundreds of units already in circulation. Prices ranged from 40 to 60 francs, depending on equipment and accessories. The package included the phonograph, the large loudspeaker horn, and the matching soundbox.
Rarity
Original Mazo school phonographs are extremely rare today. Particularly sought after are examples with complete, original decals and their original hunting horn. The example displayed here in the Edisonium remains in exceptionally fine original condition and reflects the high craftsmanship and design quality of French phonograph production around 1900.
Significance
The Mazo Scolaire Haut-parleur is a remarkable example of the pedagogical use of the phonograph during the Belle Époque. It represents the ambition to bring the achievements of modern audio technology not only into salons and concert halls but also into the educational sphere – establishing listening as an essential tool for learning.
