Pathéphone No. 8 with rare pavillon torsade

[Steve]

Yes, admittedly the 8 isn't the rarest model but with that said it's a far better machine than the 2, 4 and 6 below it and in the minds of many collectors, more attractive and preferable to the plainer looking 10 in mahogany. I think it's only bettered by the 12, which isn't all that commonly found and of course the elusive 14 which you and I have been on the trail of for the past decade at least!

This raises a question in my mind, there was a Modele 16 as well but then an 18 appeared at the same time the 12 became a 20! What is the ultimate Pathéphone horn model from the 1910-1914 period? Is it the 14?

I guess the 'E' and the 'S' would be the best before 1910?

We are in agreement that the 14 is the one to look for. It is quite rare, I have seen both of its variants (external and internal horns) in a collection, beautiful white painted horn. The 16 is also rare, but it is not an attractive machine, quite plain. The 18 was also sold later as 180, I have both, they are great to play the 50 cm records, with the big Pathé motor same as the Concert A.

Sorry, I think I might have got my numbers mixed up for a minute. Wasn't the 12 re-numbered to a "120", not a 20 as I said earlier? That fits with the 18 becoming a 180.

[CarlosV]

Sorry, I think I might have got my numbers mixed up for a minute. Wasn't the 12 re-numbered to a "120", not a 20 as I said earlier? That fits with the 18 becoming a 180.

Yes, that's correct. The 180 and the 18 are almost identical, apart from the speed control - the 18 control is a hole that requires the winder to adjust the speed, while the 180 has the more common half moon with a dial. The only difference between the 12 and the 120 lies in the motor (I was told, as I only have the 12): the 120 has the smaller triangular motor.

[Steve]

Sorry, I think I might have got my numbers mixed up for a minute. Wasn't the 12 re-numbered to a "120", not a 20 as I said earlier? That fits with the 18 becoming a 180.

Yes, that's correct. The 180 and the 18 are almost identical, apart from the speed control - the 18 control is a hole that requires the winder to adjust the speed, while the 180 has the more common half moon with a dial. The only difference between the 12 and the 120 lies in the motor (I was told, as I only have the 12): the 120 has the smaller triangular motor.

Yes, that fits with the whole "cheapening" of the external horn range as the 20's approached and beyond (the less said about the "Diamond" range, the better) when, similar to so many other gramophone makers, the new emphasis was on internal horn models and producing machines which mirrored the period look and furnishings of the day.

I'm still baffled by the 16 though!