1900 Zon-O-Phone "D" Phonograph * All Original * Works Well * Scarce Zonophone

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Here's a 1900 Zon-O-Phone "D" phonograph. Although early Zon-O-Phones like this one are few and far between, the D is an especially difficult phonograph to track down. Manufactured for less than two years, it was -- throughout its production life -- the least expensive talking machine in the Zon-O-Phone line-up. With an elegant but simple cabinet and a reliable but relatively small motor, it was functional and acquitted itself very nicely in a parlor setting, but it was not decked out in so much phonographic finery that it demanded to be tucked away for posterity, and as a result not many of them were. This D is the humpback version, with a raised bedplate in back and no crank-hole in the rear of the cabinet. All parts are original, including the arms (support arm and tone arm), the horn, the permanent elbow, the reproducer, the crank, the motor, the turntable, the turntable felt, the thumb-nuts, the brake, the cabinet and cabinet finish, etc. The wire horn support may be an older reproduction -- it's impossible to know for sure. Bedplate is in good condition, with nice original nickel-plating and minimal pitting and oxidation. Tonearm and support are likewise in good condition, with a normal amount of pitting and some areas where the nickel-plating is worn or flaking, but overall the arms are still very presentable and of course they're original. Turntable has some light oxidation on the rim, but still retains a nice layer of nickel plating. The turntable felt has faded, but it's not damaged. The small pin in the turntable that corresponds with the hole in early Zon-O-Phone 7" records is still present, but the spring is no longer resilient, and the pin sits flat when a record is placed on it. No big deal, but I thought I should mention it.The crank is original, it's the correct crank for this machine, and in it's in excellent condition, with very little plating wear and only a few small spots of oxidation. The Concert V reproducer is likewise original and in excellent condition, with crisp, clear original lettering behind the mica diaphragm and and an undamaged original needle-bar and rust-free needle-bar securing screws. Plating on the reproducer is exceptionally good. If you collect Zon-O-Phone machines, you know how seldom you come across an original Concert V reproducer that's as nice as this one. Take a good look. It's a beautifully preserved Concert V.The horn is original and it's in excellent condition. There's some moderate paint wear, mostly near the elbow, but the horn itself is exceptionally nice, with no significant dings or dents. The elbow connection is tight and secure, as you can see in the photographs, and the elbow aperture tightens down snugly on the neck of the reproducer.The cabinet is original and structurally sound, with marks and blemishes consistent with its age and authenticity. Like the arms, it's not perfect, but it's not in need of anything either. Correct and complete, it still presents itself quite nicely and confirms the machine was built 115 years ago and not last month. Please note that Zon-O-Phones of this era did not have cabinet decals, and many of the D's, such as this one, did not have celluloid Universal Talking Machine plaques. The cabinet cabinet exhibits wear, as noted above, but nothing is missing from it.Motor, governor and related gearing are all in very good to excellent condition. The brake works, the governor works, and the machine plays very well considering its age and mechanical limitations (the same found on any pre-Victor talking machine). There's a moderate amount of gear noise as a record plays through, but no more than you'll experience listening to any Berliner or Zon-O-Phone machine from that era. No funny or unwanted noises that impede your enjoyment of the record. The short story: This scarce early Zon-O-Phone is all original, in very good working order (it plays an entire 7" record easily), and it requires nothing more than a square foot of shelf space to be enjoyed immediately. Bidders from overseas should contact me ... read more

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