How can I find the value of a zonophone record from the late 1800s?

A question about : How can I find the value of a zonophone record from the late 1800s?

Hi everyone

I have come across an old record which belonged to my great-grandmother's husband and I think is dated around about 1870's to 1880's. I have googled and googled but can't seem to find it - does anyone know how I can find out if it is has any value?

The record says on it:

International Zonophone Company

L'ALOUETTE
SOLO de Petit flute
Mr DEMONT
1er Regiment des Guides Bruxeiles
No. 11496

I would be very grateful if anyone knew anywhere I could look online for more information!

Thank-you for helping 😃

Best answers:

• I can't find this in my 78RPM discographies. I think you are well out on your dates. If it is a record (ie a flat 10" or 12" disc) then the first of these were released on Zonophone in the USA in 1898. Some more information could help. Is it single or double sided? How is Zonophone spelled on the label (US pressings were Zon-O-Phone and European pressings were Zonophone).
  As it doesn't appear on a straightforward search I think you must assume that it doesn't have any great intrinsic value.
• Thank-you for your help, you obviously have a lot of knowledge! I am sure you are right about the value, I think partly I am just intrigued now as to why I can't seem to find anything about it and also how my great-grandfather came to have it - the spelling is zon-o-phone so From what you said it is a US pressing?
  As for the dates - I was guessing, so could be a few decades either side lol!
  It is a 7" disc, is that a 78rpm? I'm from the post-record era! It is solid not floppy, and single-sided. Does that help?
  Thank-you again for your help. I see you are from South Wales - that's where my family including the owner of this record were from. It's a small world!
• That ties up with the data I have. Early Zonophones were single sided 7 or 8 inch 78RPM discs (often pressed with the Zonophone logo on the 'B' side). I'll do some more digging and see if I can find out any more.
• I've tracked it down. It appears in the July 1904 Zonophone catalogue as 'The Lark' by M. De Mont, Soloist of the 1st Regiment of Guides, Brussels in a series entitled piccolo selections. As this appears to be an English translation of the data you had it is possible that yours is a French pressing. At the time Zonophone were one of the larger disc companies and released across Europe as well as in the US. As I said I suspect it is really only of curiosity value but interesting to research. The catalogue can be found online at Eresbil, the Basque archive of music (sorry but can't post a link).
• Thank-you so much, that is so kind of you to look that up for me! Its really interesting to know more about it, and amazing that it is from over 100 years ago.
  Thank-you again, I will let you know if I find out anything else but definitely going to print out what you have said to keep with it.
  Thank-you!
• tomvox, do you have any links to online price guides? I have an extensive family-bequeathed collection, and would welcome some pointers.
• Might be not allowed ?
  Interesting stuff Clairey!
• Thanks PasturesNew. That's what I wanted to post. I've PM'ed you googler as there isn't really a comprehensive guide but hopefully I can point you in the right direction.
• Wow fascinating! I've love to hear what it sounds like. Have you managed to play it?