The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

While browsing thru Facebook Marketplace I found this Pathé Actuelle model H that was 10 miles away. They were asking $150 so for some dumb reason I offered $25 and they accepted. Now, I realize it needs the bottom cabinet board replaced, veneer replaced and refinishing but I have done veneer before, have the necessary supplies and am actually very good at it. So I took the plunge. Everything works and plays fine, the cone is perfect. They also offered me approx 800 78's so I gave the seller $65 total for everything. Went thru the 78's this afternoon and pulled out 75-100 pre-war country. Numerous Carter Family, Jimmy Rodgers, Chubby Parker, Skillet lickers and many more and all were in excellent condition. They also had this newspaper article from 1983 which was quite interesting.

While some look at this and think junk I see a beautiful machine with a little time and effort and......very little cost.

Steve

Newspaper article

With the records included for $65, this was a no-brainer... The machine is a worthwhile restoration project, as long as you are up to it and capable of doing the work yourself...
Please post pictures of your restoration efforts. Good luck.

Were there any early, etched Pathé records in the bunch?

I saw this machine and very badly wanted to get it... unfortunately it was too far away. I too am a sucker for projects. I’m glad you have it! I’m sure you’ll do a great job. Looking forward to seeing the progress

Someone really knows how to haggle I’m shocked they accepted $25 the machine.....
David

dzavracky wrote:I saw this machine and very badly wanted to get it... unfortunately it was too far away. I too am a sucker for projects. I’m glad you have it! I’m sure you’ll do a great job. Looking forward to seeing the progress

Someone really knows how to haggle I’m shocked they accepted $25 the machine.....
David

You never know unless you ask. The machine and all the records belonged to the Grandfather and they had no idea of value so just put $150 out there to see if anyone bit. I will post progress pics once I get on it. I will be nice when it's done.

Steve

Curt A wrote:With the records included for $65, this was a no-brainer... The machine is a worthwhile restoration project, as long as you are up to it and capable of doing the work yourself...
Please post pictures of your restoration efforts. Good luck.

Were there any early, etched Pathé records in the bunch?

Unfortunately no etched Pathé records

the cone looks good in the picutres. Will it need to be re-papered?

David

stetam wrote:Newspaper article

Don’t think I’ve found this one for my newspapers.com thread!

AmberolaAndy wrote:

stetam wrote:Newspaper article

Don’t think I’ve found this one for my newspapers.com thread!

How about giving that burn't sulpher trick a try and let us know how it works

stetam wrote:

dzavracky wrote:I saw this machine and very badly wanted to get it... unfortunately it was too far away. I too am a sucker for projects. I’m glad you have it! I’m sure you’ll do a great job. Looking forward to seeing the progress

Someone really knows how to haggle I’m shocked they accepted $25 the machine.....
David

You never know unless you ask. The machine and all the records belonged to the Grandfather and they had no idea of value so just put $150 out there to see if anyone bit. I will post progress pics once I get on it. I will be nice when it's done.

Steve

I love it, looks like a fun project. I missed out on a Credenza with some veneer issues. I told the guy I only had 50 dollars at the time, he said sold. But I had no way to get it home