Zonophone 78 RPM Shellac Record - The Blue Lyres

This is a vintage 10-inch 78 RPM gramophone record manufactured by Zonophone. The label is green with gold lettering, indicating a specific series or era for the British/Australian market. The featured recording is titled 'He Played His Ukulele as the Ship Went Down' (Comedy Fox-Trot), performed by The Blue Lyres, a dance orchestra recorded at the Dorchester Hotel, London. The physical medium is shellac, a brittle, resinous material common for records produced from the late 1890s through the mid-1950s. The record is in fair to good condition, showing significant surface dust, minor fingerprints, and visible surface scuffing and scratches across the play area, which likely results in audible surface noise or 'pops.' A 'Chappell & Co Ltd Sydney' stamp appears on the label, suggesting this copy was distributed or sold in Australia. The matrix numbers (10-3141) and serial number (6084) are clearly printed. Based on the artist and title, this recording dates back to approximately 1932. The craftsmanship reflects the classic era of mechanical sound reproduction where heavy tracking styli were standard.