epigramophone wrote:Nicole Frères were among the first wholesalers in the UK to offer gramophones to the trade. They began with Zonophone machines in December 1900 and Symphonion, who were the main promoters of Zonophone products, appointed Nicole as sole distributing agents in October 1901. Zonophone, Symphonion and Polyphon all supplied Nicole Frères with machines bearing the Nicole name.
There are at least two types of soundbox known to have been marketed by Nicole, the Nicole Master and the Nicole Standard.
Talking machines bearing the Nicole name were initially supplied ( to Nicole Frères ) by Zonophone who had been supplying them since 1901 . From 1903 , Symphonion Musikwerke AG of Leipzig is thought to have supplied a product line that Nicole Frères called their " Nicolephone " range. These had turntables ranging from the 7 inch " Popular " model selling at 2 guineas ( GBP 2 - 2 -0 ) the " Colonial " at GBP 2- 12 - 6 , the 10 inch inch "Standard " model at 3 and 4 guinea options , and the " Drawing Room " model at GBP 3 - 17 - 6. Polyphon Musikwerke AG supplied four models in the " Corona " range , most having 10 inch turntables , one having a 12 inch. These ranged in price from 4 to 8 guineas , all models essentially the same in mechanical construction, but having different cabinet finishes and horn equipment.
The full story of the Nicole records and machines has been superbly researched in " The Nicole Record " by Michael Kinnear ISBN 0 9577355 3 7 Regards
Dulcetto