The Bijou was Edison's least expensive coin-operated phonograph, priced at $30. "Bijou" means "gem" in French, so not surprisingly this cleverly-named machine used a modified Edison Gem Phonograph mounted inside the wooden, glass-lidded cabinet. Smaller and less sophisticated than the Excelsior, this rare Edison coin-op was nonetheless very sturdy and well-made. Produced from 1901-1908, two basic types were made, of which this is the second style. (In the first model the coin chute passed in front of the mechanism.)