Earliest Zonophone?

[US PHONO]

I have always thought that the earliest Zonophone's were the A, B, C, D range

A - Glass sides
B - Similar design to A without glass
C - Boxy design with 3 ridges in the upper part of the cabinet
D - Plain kind of box

http://www.zonober.com/zono/machines.htm

However, was there an earlier generation of Zonophone's?

[phonogfp]

There was a feed-driven Zonophone pictured in an advertisement in The Phonoscope, but to my knowledge that has never been found. The A/B/C/D series is the earliest line.

This early line was discussed and pictured in detail in the December 2011 issue of The Sound Box.

George P.

[Jerry B.]

Do any of the old time collectors remember the articles in the MAPS newsletter (was it CAPS?) comparing the then current Trademark Victor and its competitor, the Zonophone? The Zonophone came out on top in most comparisons. The articles were written in a Consumer Report style. One was Victor vs Zonophone and another article compared the Amberola I-A against the Victrola XVI. The author discussed quality of construction, appearance, sound quality, etc.

Jerry B.

[phonogfp]

Do any of the old time collectors remember the articles in the MAPS newsletter (was it CAPS?) comparing the then current Trademark Victor and its competitor, the Zonophone? The Zonophone came out on top in most comparisons. The articles were written in a Consumer Report style. One was Victor vs Zonophone and another article compared the Amberola I-A against the Victrola XVI. The author discussed quality of construction, appearance, sound quality, etc.

Jerry B.

Ha!

Jerry, I'm the one who did those articles in The New Amberola Graphic back in the mid-80s. I'm surprised anyone remembers them! It's funny though, Rene justv ran across one of them and suggested I do something similar in The Antique Phonograph in the near future. You guys have lots of ways to keep me busy...

George P.

[Jerry B.]

Those were great articles. I'd be delighted to read an updated version. Jerry

[Starkton]

However, was there an earlier generation of Zonophone's?

It seems that in Germany, in spring 1898, some Berliner gramophones were imported and sold under the designation "Zonophon".

[AllenKoe]

"It seems that in Germany, in *spring 1898,* some Berliner gramophones were imported and sold under the designation "Zonophon".

This seems rather early for a 'Zonophon' designation, even in Germany.
As you say, the term was first used for Berliner Gramophones (by Seaman), but this early Spring date doesn't seem right. Can you check? The term was trademarked in the US with first appearance given as Aug 11, 1898.

I am trying to date the appearance of the first actual Zonophone models, which used the Valiquet design (patent). The Phonoscope magazine implies that they appeared on the market in 1899, but I tend to doubt this. I cannot recall which issue showed a feedscrew model actually presented as a Zonophone. Joseph Jones did make a feedscrew design, but very few exist, and as far as I know, they were not called "Zonophone."

I have never seen a Zonophone (illus) in the Phonoscope actually presented as Model(s) A, B, or C.

Allen K.

[AllenKoe]

"C - Boxy design with 3 ridges in the upper part of the cabinet"

This design (with some flat areas on the lower sides) is not actually the first style of Zonophone C, but represents a later configuration.

The first style of Model C had no flat area at all on the sides, but had continuous ribbed molding horizontally (on all 4 sides, corner to corner). I am working on an article as we speak. I reprinted the first Zonophone flyer many years ago and the first three types (U.S.) can be seen there.

Allen K.

[phonogfp]

"It seems that in Germany, in *spring 1898,* some Berliner gramophones were imported and sold under the designation "Zonophon".

This seems rather early for a 'Zonophon' designation, even in Germany.
As you say, the term was first used for Berliner Gramophones (by Seaman), but this early Spring date doesn't seem right. Can you check? The term was trademarked in the US with first appearance given as Aug 11, 1898.

I am trying to date the appearance of the first actual Zonophone models, which used the Valiquet design (patent). The Phonoscope magazine implies that they appeared on the market in 1899, but I tend to doubt this. I cannot recall which issue showed a feedscrew model actually presented as a Zonophone. Joseph Jones did make a feedscrew design, but very few exist, and as far as I know, they were not called "Zonophone."

I have never seen a Zonophone (illus) in the Phonoscope actually presented as Model(s) A, B, or C.

Allen K.

On the back cover of the March 1899 issue of The Phonoscope, a Zonophone is shown (offered by Fred Prescott) with what appears to be typical Zono arms and rear-mounted crank. The cabinet, however appears to be prototypical. This illustration appeared only once. No Zono ads appeared in The Phonoscope again until November 1899 (again, the back cover) when the feed-driven model was shown. This illustration, like the earlier one, appeared only once.

I have an advertisement from The Cosmopoltan showing the Type A Zonophone, and announcing its availability through an arrangement between the American Graphophone Company, the Columbia Phonograph Company, the National Gramophone Corporation, and the Universal Talking Machine Company. There's an advertisement on the reverse with a testimonial dated April 7, 1900 so this couldn't have been earlier than the May 1900 issue. Whether this ad appeared in an earlier (or later) issue is unknown to me.

George P.

[AllenKoe]

"On the back cover of the March 1899 issue of The Phonoscope, a Zonophone is shown (offered by Fred Prescott) with what appears to be typical Zono arms and rear-mounted crank." [prototype]

Although I do have a complete run of the Phonoscope, from Nov 1896 to June 1900, I do not seem to have the back cover of March 1899. So I thank you for that reference.

Prescott, and others, tried very hard to convey that there was actually a Zonophone machine (ca 1899), apart from the "re-named" Berliner Gramophone (see p. 12 of that issue).

But such never came to pass (in 1899). As far as I can tell, the first series of Models A, B, and C appeared in April and or May of 1900. After all, it was on April 6th, 1900 that Columbia assigned Seaman a license to issue them (officially).

Looking at your Dec 2011 article, I am puzzled by Footnote 3 and the text 'reference' to Footnote 7.

Allen K.