This model was a blue Gauloise as marketed by Pathe, packaged in a custom wood box for Girard.
On the wood case was a celluloid plaque with "Le Menestrel" printed on it, as identification.
One of the most beautiful of all French phonographs (if not all phonographs?) was the Louis XV "Ménestrel", especially built by Pathé for J.Girard et Cie. This luxury talking machine was put on the marked in 1902 in a blue version. The phonograph is built on a massive cast iron base. The case is decorated by golden painting in style of "Luis XV". Characteristic are the royal lily ornamentation and the golden lyre on the iron lid.
The "Ménésterel" cost at the time 147 French francs, payable in 21 monthly instalments of 7 French francs. Included in the delivery were ten standard size cylinders format standard, ten cylinders format inter and five blank cylinders for recordings.
The blue Louis XV version is the rarest of the Menestrels.
The green painted phonograph was sold first time in 1903. It could play both standard size as well as Inter size cylinders. Included in the price were were ten standard size cylinders, ten Inter size cylinders and five blank cylinders for recordings.