Rare Early 7" Zonophone 1899 Blank Label - NOT a Pirated Berliner - Natus 78 rpm
$
500
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Description
Original Early 7" "Blank Label"
Zonophone Disc
Universal Talking Machine Company
(Mid to late 1899)
Vocal solo (with piano accompaniment)
Title: "A Flower From the Garden of Life" (6140)
Sung (and announced) by Joseph Natus
WHY WE KNOW FOR SURE THAT THIS IS NOT A PIRATED BERLINER:
This is an extremely rare early "blank label" Zonophone disc, not a pirated Berliner. The evidence of this is that the record is announced: "A Flower From the Garden of Life, sung by Joe Natus for the Zonophone"
At the time this record was made, there was NO TECHNOLOGY that allowed for splicing, so the "Zonophone" plug in the announcement could not have been added to a Berliner recording.
DESCRIPTION:
"Blank label". Visually, the record surface seems to be in V+ to E- condition. There are a few "dimples" on the surface that are common on discs of this vintage. It play loud and clear from start to finish. The reverse bears a Universal Talking Machine lease notice, along with a shallow indented second hole to accommodate a retractable pin on a Zonophone turntable.
To my ears, it plays well at 68 rpm or so, which means you'd have to select 78 rpm on your variable speed turntable and then set it at minus 12%. With a 4.2 mil stylus and 4gr tracking, this record sounds superb with minimal surface noise and very clear, audible lyrics considering, of course, the vintage of this disc.
Expert packing Shipping in the USA $4
