JULES CHERET (1836-1932) THEATROPHONE. 1890. 48x34 inches. Chaix, Paris. Condition B+: minor losses, repaired tears and creases in margins; overpainting along vertical and horizontal folds. The theatrophone was a distant ancestor of the jukebox. An early telephonic device, it was originally used to "broadcast" music from the Paris Opera. Anyone who inserted a coin could listen to the music through earphones. Although the beautiful subject is a picture-perfect Cherette, she is uncharacteristically wearing black gloves, which Cheret probably provided so that he could more precisely render the use of the actual machine. The gentleman in the background is suggestively waiting, either for the woman — or to use the phone! Broido 271, Maindron 237, DFP II 192, Maitres 33, Wember 173, Weill 33.
