That little fox terrier leaning towards a gramophone. The image of Nipper is part of our collective memory, etched in our minds for generations. Behind this timeless silhouette lies the fascinating story of "His Master's Voice" - born from a British painting to become one of the most powerful symbols in the music industry.
Late 19th century. Painter Francis Barraud immortalises his dog Nipper, ears pricked, listening intently to a recording of his late master's voice on a phonograph. The painting, "His Master's Voice", immediately captivated the pioneers of recorded sound. The British Gramophone Company saw its commercial potential at once: it acquired the painting, had the cylinder replaced with a gleaming gramophone, and proudly emblazoned its slogan across all its phonographs.
A marketing stroke of genius. The image became synonymous with absolute fidelity and uncompromising quality.
In 1936, a strategic merger: the Gramophone Company united its French operations with those of the Pathé brothers to create Pathé-Marconi. The stated ambition left no room for doubt: to produce records and equipment of impeccable quality. "His Master's Voice" found its way onto radios, turntables and loudspeakers rolling out of French factories. From Chatou to Thonon-les-Bains, production lines ran at full speed, turning out televisions and hi-fi equipment bearing the famous logo.
In the late 1950s, a change of ownership. Thomson-Houston acquired the radio and television division of Pathé-Marconi, continuing production under licence through to the 1980s. Then came the decline: "His Master's Voice" gradually faded from the audiovisual landscape, yet its imprint on our collective imagination remains indelible.
In our workshop, we pay tribute to this icon by breathing new life into vintage radio sets. Our collections span six decades of design, from the 1930s to the 1990s, rekindling the magic of analogue sound while meeting the demands of today. Just as Nipper faithfully listened to his master's voice, these restored radios invite you on a sonic journey where heritage and innovation meet.