1901 Zonophone Grand Opera Phonograph W/Cut Glass Back & 30 " All - Brass Horn
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:7005303 |
Here's a 115-year-old Zon-O-Phone Grand Opera disc phonograph, Zon-O-Phone's flagship phonograph from 1901-03 and perhaps the most beautiful front mount phonograph ever made, by any manufacturer. When you place this phonograph in a room, it basically owns the room, for reasons that should be apparent when you look at the pictures.
Condition is excellent, as you can see.
Nickel plating is original everywhere, with some pitting evident, but nothing bad or distracti...ng. The cabinet is in excellent condition, with tight joints everywhere. Turned wood corners are original, and they're complete, with no damage. Cabinet finish is original, and it's in excellent condition. Cabinet decals are likewise original and in excellent condition. Original purple felt lining is still present inside the cabinet, on the top side of the baseboard.
Cut glass back is original and in excellent condition, with no damage, no issues.
Mechanism is original throughout and the huge single spring motor is still strong. Runs very quietly for a Berliner Era phonograph.
Zonophone Concert V reproducer is original, and it's perhaps the nicest original Concert V I've ever seen. Take a look at the pics, and I think you'll agree it's about as good as an original example of this reproducer gets.
30" Brass Zonophone horn is original (including the elbow) and it's in excellent condition, with no dents or damage, no veins or brittle areas, no issues.
The tonearm and support arm were replicated by Norm & Janyne Smith about 20 years ago. They're essentially indistinguishable from the originals. If I didn't tell you were the replicas, you would almost certainly know. The turntable felt was replaced at the same time.
I will pack the phonograph properly and make sure it arrives safely. A glass-backed Grand Opera is not a machine you want to purchase from someone who has not had extensive experience packing and shipping antique phonographs. I've been selling and shipping antique phonographs, antique radios and antique scientific apparatus for more than 25 years. When you purchase an antique phonograph from me, you'll receive a phonograph that arrives unharmed because it's been carefully packed (by me, not by some well-intentioned but nonetheless confounded, doe-eyed teenager working at the UPS store who wouldn't know a phonograph from a farm tool), and you'll receive a phonograph that includes thorough but easy-to-understand set-up and operating instructions, so you won't be left scratching your head, trying to figure out how it works. Sure, you can probably get a lower price from Joe and Janet Barn-Find, but when your "bargain" arrives broken, and without any hint of how it works or how you might be able to put it back together, you'll realize that you really do get exactly what you pay for.
That's about it. Overseas bidders should contact me in advance for a shipping quote. Bidders with no prior feedback, and bidders with hidden feedback, should contact me before placing a bid. Buyer prepays and includes shipping. Paypal okay.On Aug-19-19 at 09:27:44 PDT, seller added the following information:Typo: Paragraph about arm assembly should read, "If I didn't tell you were the replicas, you would almost certainly never know."
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