Collecting 78s as Memorabilia

These days very few people know 78 rpm records. They were the predecessor of the 45, and then the 33 rpm LP. 78s were the first mass-produced discs, covering much of the first half of the 20th century. Their rarity now makes them extremely collectible.

Some people are happy just to accumulate 78s for their collection, while others specialise in specific types of music, such as swing, British jazz, or even blues (race music as it was termed then) or country (which was known as hillbilly music). The last two genres were released extensively in the US but not over here, where it was thought there was no market for them. The blues and country 78s that found their way to the UK were usually brought over by sailors and much-prized.

Finding 78s

It’s becoming harder and harder to find 78s. Not too long ago you could discover piles of them in junk shops for pennies each. The problem was that the condition of them usually was terrible. They’d never been looked after, they weren’t in paper sleeves, so the grooves were heavily scratched, to the point where they were virtually unplayable. For collectors that wasn’t much of a bargain. They want discs in the best possible condition, both to play carefully and to sell or trade later in some instances.

The Problem With 78s

Although they were very popular, 78s were never the best medium. Being made of shellac they were extremely brittle and cracked or broke easily. The technology of the time meant that the sound quality wasn’t especially good, and they needed to be stored very carefully – they were very prone to warping.

Those interested solely in the music, rather than the artefact, are much better off searching out CD reissues of the 78s, which have been digitally remastered to remove much of the surface noise and give greater clarity.

As 78s were superseded by other forms they tended to be put in attics or anywhere out of the way and not stored with proper attention. No one believed they might have value in the future.

The Market For Collectors

There are record dealers who specialise in 78s; it’s a very specific market. There are still some valuable items to be found, too. One collector, hunting near the old Okeh record label factory in the US turned up a blues record that no collector had seen before, with a resale value in the many thousands of dollars.

That’s the kind of treasure most people can only dream about, however. Still, plenty of 78s do command prices running into hundreds of pounds if they’re in excellent condition.

Playing 78s

Playing 78 rpm records requires a special turntable. Most turntables produced in the last 30-40 years can’t handle them, as they also require a particular needle to fit the wider grooves. If you’re going to collect 78s you’ll also need this, and it’s worth spending money on the best you can afford to avoid damaging the discs.

Research

There are a number of useful guides for those collecting 78s. Not only are there prices guides for individual records so you can tell what you should pay (or charge), but also those indicating what labels are worth seeking out. Be aware, however, that these are mainly written for the American market, so a number of things won’t apply and many discs won’t be listed.