The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

One more but,sadly, not mine...
https://www.ebay.fr/itm/Rare-Phonograph ... 1438.l2649
The inscription indicates that this tinfoil phonograph was build by Hardy in 1878 with the specs of the first Edison phonograph, patented the same year.

Wow. That's the second original tinfoil on eBay in a week. Normally I don't see any for years at a time.

It's too bad the original patent plate with serial number is missing, but it's still a very important machine.

For when the ebay listing disappears below are all of the photos and description for future reference of this very rare machine:

Rarissime phonographe dit de démonstration est une véritable pièce de musée.

Un phonographe identique exposé au Musée des Arts et Métiers


Ce phonographe Edison à feuille d'étain est le premier tinfoil vendu en France. Il a été construit par Edme Hardy, sur la base des spécifications fournies par Edison en mars 1878, par l'intermédiaire de Théodore Puskas, chargé de la promotion du phonographe en Europe.


Thomas Alva Edison, brevet américain n° 200 521, déposé le 24 décembre 1877, délivré le 19 février 1878, "Phonograph or speaking machine" Thomas Alva Edison, Brevet français n° 124 974, déposé le 7 juin 1878, délivré le 16 septembre 1878, "perfectionnements dans les moyens pour enregistrer les sons ainsi que dans la reproduction des dits sons enregistrés"

Cette machine a été exposée à l’exposition universelle 1878 à Paris et vendue pour 200 francs.


AND IN ENGLISH:

Extremely rare so-called demonstration phonograph is a real museum piece.

An identical phonograph exhibited at the Musée des Arts et Métiers


This Edison tin foil phonograph is the first tinfoil sold in France. It was built by Edme Hardy, based on specifications provided by Edison in March 1878, through Theodore Puskas, responsible for promoting the phonograph in Europe.


Thomas Alva Edison, US Patent No. 200,521, filed December 24, 1877, issued February 19, 1878, "Phonograph or speaking machine" Thomas Alva Edison, French Patent No. 124,974, filed June 7, 1878, issued September 16 1878, "improvements in the means for recording sounds as well as in the reproduction of said recorded sounds"

This machine was exhibited at the 1878 World's Fair in Paris and sold for 200 francs.

Just sold for roughly $30,775.00.

(Not to me..... )