GIRARD "OMEGA"

Offered in 1899 by the Parisian firm of Girard (see also "Le Menestrel"), the "Omega" was the first of a long series of French phonographs to be modelled after the Columbia 'Eagle' Graphophone Model B. Unlike the American style, the open-works motor is mounted to a reversible wooden board, which can be turned over to enclose the motor in the lower part of the cabinet when not in use. A handle is mounted on the other side of the base board.

The Omega is also unique for its vertically-mounted governor -- the only other phonograph with this unusual feature was the the Edison Class M. The curved nickel-plated brass horn is called a 'cor-de-chasse' or 'hunting horn,' a style found only on a few European phonographs. This very mint example also carries the original dealer's plate on the front of the cabinet, from a store in Paris.

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