Vintage Pathe-Baby film reel Felix the Cat old silent cinema

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

Old film reel for a Pathé-Baby projector, visible in the photo, intended for early 20th-century silent amateur cinema. The reel is wound in a circular casing with a patinated surface, featuring an opening on top allowing the beginning of the film to be seen. The upper part of the casing shows the embossed inscription "PATHÉ-BABY" as well as the mention "MADE IN FRANCE," typical of this historic brand of home cinema.

On the edge of the reel, a period label bears the inscription "Félix le Chat au Pôle Nord" (Felix the Cat at the North Pole), indicating the title of the film contained on the celluloid. The handwriting and style of the label are characteristic of the 1920s-1930s, a period when the Pathé-Baby was widely used for 9.5 mm home projection.

The reel has an authentically old appearance, with visible patina on the metal surface and some traces of oxidation, but not excessive. The film is partially visible through the opening, regularly wound, suggesting correct conservation on the visible part. The whole is presented in a white textile case, not original, which highlights the object without obscuring any detail of the reel.

The design of the casing, circular with a central hole for the projection axis, as well as the embossed inscriptions and the font, are typical of authentic Pathé-Baby equipment. This type of reel was used for short films, including many popular silent cartoons of the time, such as those featuring Felix the Cat.

The visible side shows no cracks or major deformation. General wear compatible with its age is observed, notably a slight discoloration of the label and a matte appearance on the surface of the casing.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Visible traces of use, original patina, and partially yellowed label. The mechanism and internal film have not been tested. Only the photographed side is described; no details about the back or interior are provided.

Did you know? Pathé-Baby films marked the history of amateur cinema: launched in 1922, they used a 9.5 mm format invented by Pathé to democratize home projection. Felix the Cat, an iconic character of silent cinema, was one of the first animation stars to be distributed on this medium.

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Keywords: Pathé-Baby film, antique reel, vintage film, Felix the Cat, silent cinema, 9.5 mm film, old cartoon, movie reel, Pathé France, retro film, vintage animation, amateur cinema