Television History - The First 75 Years
 
 

French Television Sets
(1946-1949)

In the immediate Post-War period, there were very few French television sets manufactured and sold to the public.  In fact there are so few of these early sets that they could be placed in a 'pre-war' rarity category.  To make matters worse, when the French 819-line system was introduced, the government encouraged the destruction of the obsolete 441-line sets.  A sincere 'thanks' to Mr. Andre Chompret, of Paris France for making a few photographs of his impressive collection available to this site.

(40K) - 1947 LMT (Le Matèriel Téléphonique) - French branch of American Western Electric Corporation

(44K) - Notice the two holes at the bottom, which were used to mount the optional magnifier

(52K) - Chassis rear view
 

(44K)

1949 French Sonora, this model called "The Sphinx".  The cabinet is made of painted aluminum, a most unusual case material and design for this period.  This particular example is the 441-line chassis, although an updated 819-line model was also sold several years later.  Even the 819-line version is nearly impossible to find today.
 

(28K) - A close-up photograph of the Sonora logo.

(48K) - The Sonora with the optional screen magnifier installed.  The lens has yellowed with age.

(48K) -  Another view with the magnifier installed.
 

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