Zonophone: Can you identify this Zonophone model please?

[Chris1961]

I've had this Zonophone machine in my collection for some 20 years but have never properly identified it. I've see similar on YouTube and images on the net but none with the same moulding to the casing. According to Eric Reiss' Compleat Talking machine, he refers to early versions of the Model C as having a series of ridges with no flat panels but I've never seen a photo. Is this an early model C? This machine came to me with the horn in terrible condition with some kind of flaking overpainting done many years prior, its not my preferred option, but as it was beyond awful, I spruced up the outer and the bell some 20 years ago when I got it. The inside of the horn is original, the horn cradle I think is a later replacement but everything else is as is. Any info any of the experts of the Forum can provide to shed any light on this would be very appreciated. Regards to all, Chris

[phonogfp]

That's an early (1900) Zonophone intended for export. It bears a Prescott tag which differs from that of the National Gramophone Corporation. Frederick Prescott had the export contract for Zonophones, but few of these export Zonophones seem to have survived. The serial number (found stamped into the motor plate above the crank) should be an early 4-digit example - and I'd be interested in knowing it.

George P.

[Phonomark]

Chris-

I would agree with George's assessment. It's a very early model Zonophone made for both US and Export. Yours is an export model as the tag suggests. Another export model was highlighted in an APN article a while back. They are dubbed as Model C's, but to my knowledge, there's no real documentation of that.

Speaking of which, there is little documentation on early Zonophones in general. I have attached a couple of pictures of my early example. Note that it does not have a celluloid tag whatsoever and there is no evidence of one ever applied (either on the front or on the back of the cabinet). Plus the shape of the side wood profile is different from yours....similar indeed, but different. It suggests that they may have been playing around with different looks and profiles early in the production of Zonophones....or maybe the profile of export models was different that those destined for the US market. Who knows for sure.

As for serial numbers, my example does not have the typical serial number stamped on the bedplate....it's simply void of any serial number identification per the attached photos.

PM sent.

-Mark

[Chris1961]

Thank you Mark & George. Mine doesn't have any serial numbers either, I've attached pics where I think it might be on other Zonos but there isn't anything on this. Yes, the moulding on mine is different to yours Mark and I haven't seen another one like mine. There is a clip on YouTube of one very similar you yours Mark, with the same moulding. There is no "Made in USA" stamped on the underside of the wood moulding on mine. Has anyone see one with the same moulding profile? Agreed, the documented history of these is very scant! If anyone wants any other photos of this I'll be pleased to upload.

[phonogfp]

Thanks for the additional photos, Chris. It seems that Zonophone wasn't interested in serially numbering those export models! Interesting stuff.

George P.

[Phonolair]

Thank you Mark & George. Mine doesn't have any serial numbers either,

Chris if you look just above the crank shaft on the nickeled bedplate you will see the number 86. Can't tell if there is a third number or not.

Larry Crandell

[phonogfp]

There certainly is! Well spotted, Larry!

George P.

[Phonomark]

George-

I don't think you can just assume that export models don't have serial numbers....that's rather misleading. There's just not enough documentation to assume that....or anything else for that matter. Other than mine, I have never seen another example that doesn't have a serial number. But I don't know why.

As a side bar comment, in addition to having 3 different ribbed case Zonophones in my collection (including the example from Norm and Jayne Smith as in the Compendium Page 110), I have this spare case only that's been on my garage shelf for years. It's obviously an export or even made overseas. But what is unusual is that it does not seam to be traditional oak. The grain of the case is just "different"....and does not exhibit typical grain patterns of quarter sawn oak. It's kinda like looking at oak colored walnut...lol.

Chris....it seam like your's has a similar grain as this spare case of mine....but it could just be my eyes tricking me.

-Mark

[phonogfp]

George-
I don't think you can just assume that export models don't have serial numbers....that's rather misleading. There's just not enough documentation to assume that....or anything else for that matter. Other than mine, I have never seen another example that doesn't have a serial number. But I don't know why.
-Mark

I was being light-hearted in my earlier posting, for which I apologize, as I certainly didn't mean to imply that no export Zonophones were serially numbered. Clearly, there's not a large enough sample to come to any such conclusion. The number spotted on Chris's example above by Larry illustrates the pitfalls of making assumptions based on small samples. Again - I made no such assumption, but I apologize if I caused any confusion.

However, here's another example of an export Zonophone with no serial number. The counterweight is of course a non-factory addition:

Prescott Zono.JPG (87.89 KiB) Viewed 1997 times

George P.

[Chris1961]

Further to the serial number thread, with some help from experts and a very strong lens I can confirm that the serial number is 867. Still unable to detect Made in USA, Will have another close look next week.