20 Inch Pathé Record

[Orchorsol]

I haven't been able to find the eBay auction - could someone please post a link? Would be really interesting.

Over here they turn up very rarely indeed, but in my experience tend to sell for anything up to £120 GBP when they do. I was lucky and paid £60 for a good one and £40 for one with a large edge flake extending into the last 10 or 15 grooves (yes, they are centre-start records). They're really weird things! With the faster speed and larger groove size, they last no longer than a normal 12" 78, or perhaps less! But the sound is amazing, and extremely loud. When you take one out of the sleeve, the size (and weight) just seems utterly bizarre. Even funnier next to the Royal Doll's House 1 ½" 78, too (I have one of those too, sadly broken and stuck back together...).

One of these days I will make a video (perhaps I can find a way to speed it all up if I can't get the motor up to 120-130rpm). Hope to post some photos here at some point too.

[gramophone78]

I haven't been able to find the eBay auction - could someone please post a link? Would be really interesting.

Over here they turn up very rarely indeed, but in my experience tend to sell for anything up to £120 GBP when they do. I was lucky and paid £60 for a good one and £40 for one with a large edge flake extending into the last 10 or 15 grooves (yes, they are centre-start records). They're really weird things! With the faster speed and larger groove size, they last no longer than a normal 12" 78, or perhaps less! But the sound is amazing, and extremely loud. When you take one out of the sleeve, the size (and weight) just seems utterly bizarre. Even funnier next to the Royal Doll's House 1 ½" 78, too (I have one of those too, sadly broken and stuck back together...).

One of these days I will make a video (perhaps I can find a way to speed it all up if I can't get the motor up to 120-130rpm). Hope to post some photos here at some point too.

Here you go....281021386184

[Orchorsol]

Here you go....281021386184

Thanks! I dread to think how (& whether) the seller will be able to package it successfully for safe shipping...

[gramophone78]

Here you go....281021386184

Thanks! I dread to think how (& whether) the seller will be able to package it successfully for safe shipping...

No kidding!!. I believe the shipping cost for the one 35cm (13 ¾") record a friend sent me was $35.00. That was just across Canada and the least expensive way. It really was more then the cost of the record. Although it did make it safe and sound. There was a great deal of risk and I put my friend at ease by letting him know he would not be responsible if broken.
An interesting side note......in a "Apollo" Catalog,they claim the Paillard "hot-air" models could accommodate and play these 50cm records.

[Dulcetto]

Hi all

Pathé discs with hill and dale recordings weremade in at least 11 different diameters. the next size down from the 50cms were 40cms discs made promarily for the french market. These were recorded at 120rpm and are edge start as opposed to the centre start postion of the 50cms discs. There were also tiny 17cms discs , centre start , again made only for the french market as far as I am aware. Centre start discs are in the following sizes : 17 , 21 , 24 , 29, 35 , 50 cms and edge -start 25 , 26.5 , 28.5 and 40 cms.
Well thats 10 sizes -- the 11th are actually 12 inches diameter. These were pressed the Marathon company in England during the first world war when hostilities prevented importation to UK from Pathé's presses in Paris.

[FloridaClay]

I saw that eBay ad. Alas a 20" would not fit on to my Pathé Model 75. Have several 14"ers, though, that will. (Actually about 13 ½".)

Clay

[Valecnik]

I have two of these, both English issues, one engraved and one paper label - and a machine that plays them (a late Pathé No. 12), but I haven't yet succeeded in getting the required 120 to 130rpm out of the motor!

I have an earlier Pathéphone no. 12 with the ~10inch platter. I'm sure it would never play one of these. Although acc. to the literature it should, it can barely play all the way through a 35cm disc, next size down.

[Orchorsol]

I have two of these, both English issues, one engraved and one paper label - and a machine that plays them (a late Pathé No. 12), but I haven't yet succeeded in getting the required 120 to 130rpm out of the motor!

I have an earlier Pathéphone no. 12 with the ~10inch platter. I'm sure it would never play one of these. Although acc. to the literature it should, it can barely play all the way through a 35cm disc, next size down.

Mine plays them very well, plenty of strength in the spring for a whole side and more - and despite the fact that it has to work progressively harder towards the end (outside) of the record. So far I can only get around 95-100rpm out of the motor before the bobweights are in danger of hitting other parts of the motor - I'm thinking that I'll need to lighten them to get the full 120-130rpm. Luckily there are analytical balances where I work so I will be able to balance them.

[emgcr]

Here is a video of my sole large Pathé in action on a friend's machine---diameter is also 19 5/8ths inch and centre start. Someone needs to be ready to catch the soundbox at the close of play..................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nN7epzPqEQ

[Dulcetto]

HI , I have several of these discs I've picked up over the years. Mostly French repertoire but one or two English ones also. On the whole they play well , but the sound reproducton quality does certainly vary , as do most Pathé discs. To use the words of another , some Pathé recordings are frighteningly loud , others sound as if they have been recorded through a veil. In a nutshell, Gallic sense of pride did not obviously allow for Quality control ! Don't forget , not all of these monster discs play at 120rpm.
As well as the 50cms Disques Pathé Concert , which did play at 120 - 130 rpm ,there are also the much rarer Disques Pathé Theatre,
which although of equally majestic diameter, only revolve at 60rpm , therefore giving twice the playing time. I have four of those -- they are particularly well recorded , and all the ones I have seen are of Dance Music , so I imagine intended for outdoor soirees,
Dance Halls and the like. OH ! Monsieurs Pathé !!