Historical information

Zonophone was a record label founded in 1899 in Camden, New Jersey, by Frank Seaman. The Zonophone name was not that of the company, but was applied to the records and machines sold by Seaman from 1899–1900 to 1903. In the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, the Gramophone Company continued to use the Zonophone label until 1931. 'Zonophone' indicates the British label rather than Zon - O- Phone, the earlier American label.
Madame Deering was Eleanor Jones-Hudson. Eleanor Jones-Hudson (1874-1946) was a Welsh soprano and wife of the flautist Eli Hudson. She recorded extensively for the Gramophone Company, in excerpts from opera, operetta, oratorio, ballads and songs. She was sometimes credited as Alvena Yarrow and as Madame Deering.

Significance

The phonograph disc record was the primary medium used for music reproduction until late in the 20th century, replacing the phonograph cylinder record—with which it had co-existed from the late 1880's through to the 1920's. Records retained the largest market share even when new formats such as compact cassette were mass-marketed.. (ref Wikipedia)
This item is an example of an item once commonly found in homes. By the late 1980s until 1991, digital media, in the form of the compact disc, gradually replaced the vinyl record.

Physical description

A black gramophone record with a blue and gold label - Zonophone. One side is Ave Maria sung in English by Madame Deering, a soprano, with orchestra and chorus. On the other side is Ora Pro Nobis (Pray For Us). It has the serial no. 472.

Inscriptions & markings

Pressed onto the Ave Maris side is 7793-e.