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Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 9:27 am
by stirlingfan
This is one of two known Paillard Maestrophone Model 207 machines from ca. 1910-14; it was the only fireproof model made by the company with an all-steel cabinet. Unfortunately the whereabouts of the second example is unknown but last seen in a private Swiss museum collection decades ago. Video link below:
https://youtu.be/Hm_ORjUpNsg?si=fnvD8K9Je-7Jv5aH
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:25 am
by Calle
You're sure the case is all original ?
The part with all the holes looks new to me (sorry !)...
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 11:36 am
by stirlingfan
Here's the other example, now "lost". The back bracket and exhaust pipe are not original to the machine. Anyone seen it?
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2023 2:49 pm
by Sidewinder
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2023 9:11 am
by Marco Gilardetti
To be honest,
most of the machine looks like a reconstruction to me...

Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 12:01 am
by tomb
Neat phonograph. I have not seen an all metal one.
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 6:47 am
by stirlingfan
Thank you for your comments. This has been a long-term restoration project. As is obvious to anyone who has seen it in person, and perhaps in the video, the steel cabinet has been reproduced but is identical to Model 207's original cabinet. I am fortunate to own hot air (Stirling engine) fans also made by Paillard, the largest of which (far right in the photo below) has exactly the same steel base pattern as their Model 207 phonograph. In time I was also able to find the correct Paillard back bracket, tone arm, and elbow for this machine. The horn is not Paillard and I’m still looking for an original horn, so please let me know if you have one for sale. Special thanks to Pascal Frioud for his help with this project.
The machine itself with its ornate cast iron base, burner, etc. is all original and was unique to Model 207. The fact that only one other Model 207 is known (but now “lost”) justified the trouble and expense of this difficult project. This is compared to perhaps a couple dozen known Paillard Model 205 hot air phonographs with wooden and glass cabinets. While not very pretty, no. 207 is one I can easily transport for exhibition and can play continuously without fear of charring (or worse) a wooden cabinet.
For a much prettier hot air phonograph, here's a glimpse of my Franco Hispano Suiza machine “Ecophon-Moto No. 20” made in Madrid under license from Paillard. This more fragile machine is 100% original and complete (without restoration), but I will save that discussion for a later date.
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 9:20 am
by poodling around
What a lovely gramophone. The more I see it the more I like it !
Sorry to ask a silly question, but when you say you are looking for an appropriate horn I assume you mean one like the floral one in the black and white advertisement and not one which looks like the brass one already fitted to yours and shown with sterlingfan's missing machine ?
Oh, one of your lovely Christmas tree decorations is trying to escape !

Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:29 am
by stirlingfan
Thank you Poodling. Yes, preferably a floral horn although Paillard also sold nickel-plated brass horns similar to the one I'm currently using. At the moment I don't know the exact size of a Paillard nickeled brass horn, but that would also be acceptable. The horn shown in the old Swiss photo of the "lost" 207 machine may be original but I am not certain. Do you have anything? And the wayward Christmas decoration has been captured and now in custody.
Re: Paillard Model 207 hot air engine-powered machine
Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2023 11:06 am
by poodling around
stirlingfan wrote: Thu Dec 21, 2023 10:29 am
Thank you Poodling. Yes, preferably a floral horn although Paillard also sold nickel-plated brass horns similar to the one I'm currently using. At the moment I don't know the exact size of a Paillard nickeled brass horn, but that would also be acceptable. The horn shown in the old Swiss photo of the "lost" 207 machine may be original but I am not certain. Do you have anything? And the wayward Christmas decoration has been captured and now in custody.
Ha ha ! A happy ending for the decoration !
I don't think in a million years that the one I have is what you are looking for. It is peculiar and I have always wondered what it may have originated from.
Anyway, don't get too excited ........................ here it is !!!!!!!!!!! Taaaaaaaaaaaa daaaaaaaaa !
