Phonograph Maison Ch. & J. Ullmann M4 1899
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2026 6:19 am
Hello,
I am attaching photos of another phonograph that I have had for a while. I need to reattach the arrow, but otherwise it is in good condition.
It is made by Maison Ch. & J. Ullmann, a big name at the time that competed with Pathé and Edison in France in the early 20th century. It is the M4 model with a speed indicator - 1899
It's nothing like the robustness of the Spring Motor, even though it was sold as solid oak at the time. It must weigh 4 kilos. It seems that American oak doesn't have the same density!
Joking aside, the motor with its small spring can hold a cylinder for 2 minutes, not much more!
I quite like the “hygienic” earphones, as they were called, made of celluloid. I just need to find a nickel-plated hunting horn horn to complete it.
It cost 112 francs (Germinal) in 1899, which was the average monthly wage of a skilled worker in Paris (in the provinces, it was two months' wages! - that hasn't changed much, if at all).
I am attaching photos of another phonograph that I have had for a while. I need to reattach the arrow, but otherwise it is in good condition.
It is made by Maison Ch. & J. Ullmann, a big name at the time that competed with Pathé and Edison in France in the early 20th century. It is the M4 model with a speed indicator - 1899
It's nothing like the robustness of the Spring Motor, even though it was sold as solid oak at the time. It must weigh 4 kilos. It seems that American oak doesn't have the same density!
Joking aside, the motor with its small spring can hold a cylinder for 2 minutes, not much more!
I quite like the “hygienic” earphones, as they were called, made of celluloid. I just need to find a nickel-plated hunting horn horn to complete it.
It cost 112 francs (Germinal) in 1899, which was the average monthly wage of a skilled worker in Paris (in the provinces, it was two months' wages! - that hasn't changed much, if at all).