The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I've searched the web, looked for books and run out of ideas. I'm sure that there really are not too many records about the earliest Zonophone records. The on-again, off-again years of production make Frank Seaman's Zon-o-phone records all the more comlicated. My question is regarding age. Below are photos of the 2 different designs I have encountered. Do the designs provide clues to dates of production? What about the catalog numbers? Anyone know a good way to place dates on these early treasures? Thanks

The Collectors Guide to Victor Records says mid 1900 for the one on the right, fall of 1901 for the one on the left. Those are the earliest dates. The book indicates that Victor marketed Zon-o-phone records for a number of years.