selling

“I’ve got a box of old records. How do I find out their value, and what’s the best way to sell them?”

The value of old 78 rpm records is subjective, but on average, their selling price at flea markets or antique stores is around the $1 or $2 mark. Therefore, the retailer must have acquired his stock from someone at a much lower price to make stocking or transporting them worthwhile. Unfortunately, most are not worth even that much, but should the record happen to be a highly collectible gem, then its value can rise into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A few pointers toward collectible value:

• Popularity of artist

• Label rarity

• Type of music (or speech) track

• Age and condition of record

Popularity of artist: Because the singer's name on a record is recognizable does not necessarily mean the record is valuable; in fact, the reverse is more likely to be true. Artists like Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra or Perry Como sold records in the millions, which are not hard to find and are thus of minimal value. On the other hand, records by such obscure names as Son House or Blind Blake are much sought after by blues enthusiasts. Though some are well-known (such as bluesman Robert Johnson or jazzman Louis Armstrong) many performers, especially blacks in the hard-time 1930s, recorded under a wide range of pseudonyms to earn a few extra dollars in hand while avoiding contractual obligations.

Label rarity: Very early records did not carry paper labels and often had the wording engraved into them. Other fairly collectible examples might include brown-wax Berliner records, some of which have a brass grommet at the centre, or small-diameter records. Paper labels were first introduced (by Victor) in 1901 and records prior to that date often had the wording engraved into them (the 1/4 inch-thick Edison records continued with blind engraving until 1912). Generally, the cruder the ‘look’ the earlier the date of issue. Other fairly collectible examples might include brown-wax Berliner records, some of which have a brass grommet at the centre, or small-diameter records.

Type of music (or speech) track: Blues, jazz, jug-band, swing, bebop, country & western fiddle, big band, doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll all have their collectors. Many appreciate genuine indigenous (pre-1930) music, and these should be advertised as widely as possible to get the highest price. If you have the phonographic equipment to play the record (most modern decks only play 45 rpm or 33 1/3 rpm), handle and play them with care; almost all 78 rpm records are much more brittle than LPs or 45s. Edison records, or those marked ‘vertical-cut,’ cannot be played on a standard phonograph, because the grooves were cut for a ball-shaped sapphire needle and track in an up and down fahion rather than from side to side, as the standard ‘lateral-cut’ records.

Age and condition of record: Check this website for a broad overview of label dates, as well as a general guide for label rarity and collectibility. To accurately date the release of many records, check www.78discography.com; to get an idea of value check eBay. From the 1940s on, as radio broadcasts popularized music and recording 'stars' were born, a growing body of jazz and blues aficionados desperately wanted to obtain copies of seminal sessions by 'name' artists. Record companies would often re-release the original recordings, noting the date of the original recording session, but these re-releases may not quite as collectible as the 'original' releases. Records made prior to WWI are usually thicker, with a coarse-looking groove. Post-WWII records usually have a visibly finer groove (a result of the introduction of vinyl). If the label advertises ‘electric recording’ or ‘VM,’ that is an indication the recording was done with electric microphones rather than the old-fashioned acoustic horn, which had been standard prior to about 1925. As with coins, the physical condition of the record is paramount for the buyer. If it has a glossy black sheen, chances are the record will play reasonably well. If the record has a dull, grey appearance, this is often an indication that the grooves are heavily worn and its value may be much depreciated.

Some suggestions for disposing of your records

• Craigslist

• Online auctions

• Local newspaper classified ad

• Local antique store, thrift shop or museum

• Flea market

Craigslist: check under the listing for 'music' for similar items and asking price. This may be the fastest way to dispose of your records, but likely not the best way to get the highest price for them. Be clear as to whether or not you want to sell the records as a complete lot or whether you will allow 'picking.'

Online auctions: Check out websites such as

www.vmauctions.com

www.78rpm.com

eBay. You may be able to get a higher price per individual record through this outlet (perhaps averaging $10), but there is more effort involved in sending the relatively heavy, bulky and fragile records through the mail, and mailing costs can be high, especially when shipping overseas. Insurance may be required in case of damage in transit. Packaging must be handled with care. A 'sandwich' of heavy cardboard squares may suffice to protect one or two records, with a protective surrounding layer of bubble-wrap inside a paper wrapping, conspicuously marked 'FRAGILE.' Or they may be more safely shipped inside a cardboard box, 'floating' between layers of styrofoam chips. Many eBay listings carry a photograph of the label and perhaps the condition of the grooves; frequent sellers often grade each record with regard to chips, scratches and scuffs that may affect its playability.

Local newspaper classified ad: Your local newspaper will likely have a section under 'music.' Be clear as to whether or not you want to sell the records as a complete lot or whether you will allow 'picking.'

Local antique store: Phone and ask if they would be interested in taking them for cash, or perhaps on consignment.

Local thrift shop: These may or may not be willing to accept your donation of records.

Museum: You might consider offering the records to your local museum (if not, the curators might at least have contacts for record collectors in your area, or names of stores that might take them).

Flea market: Of course, this would involve reserving table space and transporting the records. Whether the reward is worth the effort is open to question.

Or you could email me your contact info and I will post it on my site (see below).

Records for sale:

Ted Staunton

Collections for sale:

Martín Javier Gorosito (Argentina)

Peter Stone (Australia)

ASKING FOR Info:

Canyon label (Native American music)

I have a CANYON label 78 which I believe is from the 1950's and is related to the current Canyon label (logos look similar) for Native American Music. How could I find out more about it or the record's value? I have checked Osborne's new guide, but no luck. Thanks in advance. Bridget: phoenixhorizon@aol.com

Readers' Digest Christmas Albums, 1981 and 1984

†I have two sets of 78's albums made for Reader's Digest by R.C.A.: "Twelve Stars of Christmas" (6 albums, dated 1981) and "Christmas Through the Years" (5 albums, dated 1984). The boxes show some wear, but the albums are in original sleeves, unplayed. I would like to have an idea of value, as the 1984 set was the last made for Readers Digest. Also, possibly I would like to sell them. Reply to: gracedittus@yahoo.com

2-Album set of Columbia records: “The Messiah”

I wondered if you or someone you know would be able to date or place a rough value on a couple of record albums I have been given (pic below); one album of eight Columbia Graphophone Records of the Barber of Seville opera, plus another eight-record set of Tosca which is much the same. Serial number: DX8019. Thanks! Heather Dubois, Portsmouth, UK. Reply to: info.re.78s@shaw.ca

The Harmony Four (WWI era)

Wondered if you know anything more about this group. I have a postcard from 1916 showing the four singers (Levi Hellickson, Oscar Johnson, Earl Norman, and Louis Anderson) and another card with caricature drawing of the four singers, signed Thursday, August 1915 7:35 pm by Oscar, the manager.

Thanks, Mike Bouchette mdbouchette@new.rr.com

Record Collection Appraisal

My father passed away recently and he had a personal collection of 78 & 33 RPM records (mostly 78's) which he gathered during his working years in Philadelphia Radio. The collection is in Pitman NJ at his house. Can you put me in touch with someone that might be able to appraise the collection, or that might be interested in buying it? I don't know how many records it contains, but I would estimate it to be many hundreds of records, dating back to the 1940's and some may be older.

Doug Hibbs ndhibbsjr@link.com


	Selling your 78s



		“I’ve got a box of old records. How do I find out their value, and what’s the best way to sell them?” The value of old 78 rpm records is subjective, but on average, their selling price at flea markets or antique stores is around the $1 or $2 mark. Therefore, the retailer must have acquired his stock from someone at a much lower price to make stocking or transporting them worthwhile. Unfortunately, most are not worth even that much, but should the record happen to be a highly collectible gem, then its value can rise into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars. A few pointers toward collectible value: • Popularity of artist • Label rarity • Type of music (or speech) track • Age and condition of record Popularity of artist: Because the singer's name on a record is recognizable does not necessarily mean the record is valuable; in fact, the reverse is more likely to be true. Artists like Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra or Perry Como sold records in the millions, which are not hard to find and are thus of minimal value. On the other hand, records by such obscure names as Son House or Blind Blake are much sought after by blues enthusiasts. Though some are well-known (such as bluesman Robert Johnson or jazzman Louis Armstrong) many performers, especially blacks in the hard-time 1930s, recorded under a wide range of pseudonyms to earn a few extra dollars in hand while avoiding contractual obligations. Label rarity: Very early records did not carry paper labels and often had the wording engraved into them. Other fairly collectible examples might include brown-wax Berliner records, some of which have a brass grommet at the centre, or small-diameter records. Paper labels were first introduced (by Victor) in 1901 and records prior to that date often had the wording engraved into them (the 1/4 inch-thick Edison records continued with blind engraving until 1912). Generally, the cruder the ‘look’ the earlier the date of issue. Other fairly collectible examples might include brown-wax Berliner records, some of which have a brass grommet at the centre, or small-diameter records. Type of music (or speech) track: Blues, jazz, jug-band, swing, bebop, country & western fiddle, big band, doo-wop and rock ‘n’ roll all have their collectors. Many appreciate genuine indigenous (pre-1930) music, and these should be advertised as widely as possible to get the highest price. If you have the phonographic equipment to play the record (most modern decks only play 45 rpm or 33 1/3 rpm), handle and play them with care; almost all 78 rpm records are much more brittle than LPs or 45s. Edison records, or those marked ‘vertical-cut,’ cannot be played on a standard phonograph, because the grooves were cut for a ball-shaped sapphire needle and track in an up and down fahion rather than from side to side, as the standard ‘lateral-cut’ records. Age and condition of record: Check this website for a broad overview of label dates, as well as a general guide for label rarity and collectibility. To accurately date the release of many records, check www.78discography.com; to get an idea of value check eBay. From the 1940s on, as radio broadcasts popularized music and recording 'stars' were born, a growing body of jazz and blues aficionados desperately wanted to obtain copies of seminal sessions by 'name' artists. Record companies would often re-release the original recordings, noting the date of the original recording session, but these re-releases may not quite as collectible as the 'original' releases. Records made prior to WWI are usually thicker, with a coarse-looking groove. Post-WWII records usually have a visibly finer groove (a result of the introduction of vinyl). If the label advertises ‘electric recording’ or ‘VM,’ that is an indication the recording was done with electric microphones rather than the old-fashioned acoustic horn, which had been standard prior to about 1925. As with coins, the physical condition of the record is paramount for the buyer. If it has a glossy black sheen, chances are the record will play reasonably well. If the record has a dull, grey appearance, this is often an indication that the grooves are heavily worn and its value may be much depreciated. Some suggestions for disposing of your records • Craigslist • Online auctions • Local newspaper classified ad • Local antique store, thrift shop or museum • Flea market Craigslist: check under the listing for 'music' for similar items and asking price. This may be the fastest way to dispose of your records, but likely not the best way to get the highest price for them. Be clear as to whether or not you want to sell the records as a complete lot or whether you will allow 'picking.' Online auctions: Check out websites such as www.vmauctions.com www.78rpm.com eBay. You may be able to get a higher price per individual record through this outlet (perhaps averaging $10), but there is more effort involved in sending the relatively heavy, bulky and fragile records through the mail, and mailing costs can be high, especially when shipping overseas. Insurance may be required in case of damage in transit. Packaging must be handled with care. A 'sandwich' of heavy cardboard squares may suffice to protect one or two records, with a protective surrounding layer of bubble-wrap inside a paper wrapping, conspicuously marked 'FRAGILE.' Or they may be more safely shipped inside a cardboard box, 'floating' between layers of styrofoam chips. Many eBay listings carry a photograph of the label and perhaps the condition of the grooves; frequent sellers often grade each record with regard to chips, scratches and scuffs that may affect its playability. Local newspaper classified ad: Your local newspaper will likely have a section under 'music.' Be clear as to whether or not you want to sell the records as a complete lot or whether you will allow 'picking.' Local antique store: Phone and ask if they would be interested in taking them for cash, or perhaps on consignment. Local thrift shop: These may or may not be willing to accept your donation of records. Museum: You might consider offering the records to your local museum (if not, the curators might at least have contacts for record collectors in your area, or names of stores that might take them). Flea market: Of course, this would involve reserving table space and transporting the records. Whether the reward is worth the effort is open to question. Or you could email me your contact info and I will post it on my site (see below). Records for sale: Ted Staunton Collections for sale: Martín Javier Gorosito (Argentina) Peter Stone (Australia) ASKING FOR Info: Canyon label (Native American music) I have a CANYON label 78 which I believe is from the 1950's and is related to the current Canyon label (logos look similar) for Native American Music. How could I find out more about it or the record's value? I have checked Osborne's new guide, but no luck. Thanks in advance. Bridget: phoenixhorizon@aol.com Readers' Digest Christmas Albums, 1981 and 1984 †I have two sets of 78's albums made for Reader's Digest by R.C.A.: "Twelve Stars of Christmas" (6 albums, dated 1981) and "Christmas Through the Years" (5 albums, dated 1984). The boxes show some wear, but the albums are in original sleeves, unplayed. I would like to have an idea of value, as the 1984 set was the last made for Readers Digest. Also, possibly I would like to sell them. Reply to: gracedittus@yahoo.com 2-Album set of Columbia records: “The Messiah” I wondered if you or someone you know would be able to date or place a rough value on a couple of record albums I have been given (pic below); one album of eight Columbia Graphophone Records of the Barber of Seville opera, plus another eight-record set of Tosca which is much the same. Serial number: DX8019. Thanks! Heather Dubois, Portsmouth, UK. Reply to: info.re.78s@shaw.ca The Harmony Four (WWI era) Wondered if you know anything more about this group. I have a postcard from 1916 showing the four singers (Levi Hellickson, Oscar Johnson, Earl Norman, and Louis Anderson) and another card with caricature drawing of the four singers, signed Thursday, August 1915 7:35 pm by Oscar, the manager. Thanks, Mike Bouchette mdbouchette@new.rr.com Record Collection Appraisal My father passed away recently and he had a personal collection of 78 & 33 RPM records (mostly 78's) which he gathered during his working years in Philadelphia Radio. The collection is in Pitman NJ at his house. Can you put me in touch with someone that might be able to appraise the collection, or that might be interested in buying it? I don't know how many records it contains, but I would estimate it to be many hundreds of records, dating back to the 1940's and some may be older. Doug Hibbs ndhibbsjr@link.com



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