Price check - 78 records

[scottmandue]

Wife is moving in... my useless junk must move out to make room for her useless junk...

About ten years ago a friends dad past and I helped her move all his junk out... she gave me some of his stuff.

Part of that is six or eight boxes of old 78's, mostly classical, are they worth anything?

I also have a piano and a Victrola that need to go away.

Thanks in advance.

[sammyg2]

[azasadny]

No, not worth anything. Try to find a local collector on Craigslist to give them to...

[KFC911]

That funny Sammy, but he ain't taking any calls right now since they kicked him out the samples line

[porsche4life]

Damn, a few years back I would have paid the shipping on those records... We were using them for decoration at a 50s themed event...

[herr_oberst]

I got a bunch from my dad, I selected the ones I wanted, and tried to get rid of the others any way I could; no takers.

[rouxroux]

I usually buy 78's in good shape for a buck or less....I have loads of Mexican brass band stuff, it's fun to crank up the Victrola every now & then. Also have an old RCA unit that plays everything from 16 to 78. fun stuff.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by azasadny

No, not worth anything. Try to find a local collector on Craigslist to give them to...

Yep... that is what I figured... tanks.

Got friends that think anything old is worth a gazillion dollars.

If anyone local wants to pick them up for free let me know (any or all) otherwise they are going on CL this weekend.

Thanks all!

[djmcmath]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Got friends that think anything old is worth a gazillion dollars.

Easy -- sell it to them for "a song, compared to a gazillion dollars." They learn something interesting and worthwhile, and you can use the money to buy them a drink to drown their sorrows later.

Dan

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by djmcmath

Easy -- sell it to them for "a song, compared to a gazillion dollars." They learn something interesting and worthwhile, and you can use the money to buy them a drink to drown their sorrows later.

Dan

Oh no they don't want to buy them (or any of my other old stuff) thye just don't want me to get rid of it "Oh Scott... that has to be worth something!"

[MRM]

However, the Victrola might be valuable. Don't throw that one away. And just keep the records. You just never know. Besides, you can play them on the Vic for friends and family and get a huge kick out of them.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by MRM

However, the Victrola might be valuable.

Might be, but here's what I know about this one (my dad's when he was a kid)

This is a Cecilian, middle grade, nothing fancy, probably made sometime in the mid 'twenties to mid 'thirties. I did a search to find out the value, and I made the determination that the sentimental value far outweighs the hundred or so bucks that this is valued at.

Pretty to look at, still works perfectly, in great cosmetic shape; there is just not a big market for these. Your mileage may vary . . .

[ddbach]

Scott,

Check with Mark K. here - Contact Us Sounds of Old
He has a huge collection of Victrolas and assorted records. While he is not local he quite likely can direct you to someone closer who can help you. He is regarded as extremely knowledgeable on Victrolas.

[daepp]

Would make great targets. Just sayin...

[nota]

condition and rarity on old records set value

common stuff has little value

super rare stuff esp early rock on 78's is the most value
blues and jazz too even some country too
first or very early records or groups a future star was in BEFORE he was a star
are what collector hunt for and pay for
classical that was issued in huge runs has little value
BUT there are some sought after rare classical low run records

errors and censored stuff unlikely to be in classical are an other class of value

any sun rock on 78 has value

[sammyg2]

If Dave "the douche" Hester found those records in a storage locker, he'd claim they were worth $1000 each.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by MRM

However, the Victrola might be valuable. Don't throw that one away. And just keep the records. You just never know. Besides, you can play them on the Vic for friends and family and get a huge kick out of them.

No can do... no space... two bedroom one bath house

Picking my battles, new wife moves in September and wants to make the place 'hers".

The old guitars and Fender amp(s) stay. I am prepared to battle over my CD collection and my book collection.

I do have a old Zenith floor standing radio that plays 78's but I don't know if the record player part works.

The Victrola is a table type, soild mahogany with legs excelent platina but still shiney on the inside, plays a little fast and the speed adjust knob is broke. Very pretty but I did a web search on it and they made a million of them, probably the most common type.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Wow, I'm just dealing with my girlfriend moving in and that's hard enough. The 911's, beater Saab, 3 motorcycles, 5 bikes and numerous other stuff is staying. Thankfully my old house has lots of basement storage and a decent amount of covered parking.

I am going through stuff though. Took a few carloads to the donation center at work. Still more to do. Lot's of changes. I had gotten used to a somewhat bachelor kind of existance. Miss it sometimes.....

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

I am going through stuff though. Took a few carloads to the donation center at work. Still more to do. Lot's of changes. I had gotten used to a somewhat bachelor kind of existence. Miss it sometimes.....

Yes... I was a bachelor for 52 years! imagine how I feel...

It is a good thing... I'm lazy and let things pile up... she is bringing order to my life... well some order anyway.

Anyway, the piano, Victrola, and records have sat in my garage for about a decade untouched. Time for them to go!