Frequently
Asked Questions
Please
note that the information presented here specifically concerns vintage 78rpm and
cylinder recordings. We do not deal in 45s, LPs, tapes or CDs, nor do we offer
advice on these formats.
How
do I dispose of records I do not want?
How
can I transfer my vintage records to tape or CD?
Where
can I get needles, sleeves and other accessories?
How
do I participate in Nauck’s Vintage Record Auction?
What
happens to auction records that do not sell?
Does
Nauck’s have a public shop?
What
is a vintage record?
Vintage records fall into two categories: disc and cylinder. Vintage disc records were made roughly from 1890 to 1960. They are also referred to as coarse-groove or short play (SP) records. Most commonly, vintage disc records are referred to as ‘78s’, referring to a speed of 78 revolutions per minute (rpm). However, the 78 speed was not fully standardized until the late 20s and early 30s; prior to this time, playing speeds ranged anywhere from 60 to 130 rpm! Most of the pre-1925 records one encounters today will play properly at speeds ranging from 72-82 rpm. (Edison Diamond Disc records all play at 80.) Other vintage disc records include radio transcriptions (78 or 33 rpm; often 16" in diameter), movie soundtrack discs (33 rpm, 16") and Victor Program Transcriptions (10" & 12", 33 rpm). Most vintage disc records were made from a shellac-based material.
Non-vintage
disc records were made from 1949 to the present. They are commonly referred to
as micro-groove records, and play at 45 or 33 rpm. Formats include 7" 45 rpm
discs with oversized spindle holes, 10" and 12" long plays (LPs), extended
plays (EPs) and others.
Vintage
cylinder records were made from around 1890 to 1929, and came in several
different sizes. Most cylinders are about the size of a toilet paper tube, and
are usually colored black or blue. These recordings should not be confused with
piano rolls, which are made of rolled paper punched with small holes.
The
vast majority of vintage disc records are made of shellac mixed with various
fillers, compounds and dyes. Though you can purchase cleaning solutions, brushes
and machines that will do a grand job, it is not necessary for the average
collector to go to this expense. Unless a record is really filthy or greasy,
gently rubbing with a damp terrycloth towel in the direction of the
grooves will remove most of the dirt. This should be done on a soft flat surface
to prevent cracking the disc, and the towel should be rinsed out frequently if
cleaning more than just a few records. Follow the cleaning towel with a fluffy dry
one, and let the record air-dry for a few minutes before placing it back in the
sleeve. If the
record is really dirty, it is generally safe to wash it with soapy water. Use a mild
liquid dish-washing detergent, and rinse well before drying. Whatever you do, don’t use alcohol-based cleaners or solutions such as Windex on your records – you might wind up
stripping off the surface!
It
is important that records are not left immersed in water for any length of time.
Some records (Columbias and Edison Diamond Discs, for instance) are laminated
over a core that will quickly swell if it gets wet. This causes peeling in
the form of lamination cracks and edge separations. Additionally, certain labels can
be
damaged by water - especially those with porous paper or water-soluble inks.
Wax
cylinders may be cleaned with a soft damp cloth, but don’t attempt to
remove mold or mildew. These growths eat into the surface of the cylinder
itself, and are impossible to remove without also removing the grooves. Mold
growth can only be retarded or arrested, not removed.
Most
vintage records have proven to be remarkably durable over time, but they do have enemies: dirt,
moisture, pressure and temperature extremes.
If
possible, records should be cleaned before storage. Dirt will scratch records,
dust in the grooves will cause premature groove and stylus wear, insects and
organic compounds will react with the shellac and silverfish eat sleeves and
record labels. Once records have been cleaned, it is best not to put them back
into old sleeves. New sleeves for storing records are available from Nauck's, and should be
used if you care about your collection.
Records
should never be allowed to get wet, and even high humidity can be dangerous.
Sleeves absorb moisture which promotes mold growth. More importantly, organic
filler material was often used to give strength to the otherwise brittle record
groove. This filler material will erupt into microscopic blisters if it absorbs
water, and that creates a grainy surface which results in the ‘frying bacon’
sound frequently associated with 78s. So keep the records high and dry at all
times.
Try
to avoid storing your records flat, as this will cause grains of sand, record
sleeves and other foreign objects to impress themselves into surface.
Records should be stored upright on edge. Do not allow them to lean, and avoid
keeping them in record storage boxes unless the discs are fully upright and flat against
each other. They may be safely stored horizontally if the individual stacks are not
greater than a couple of inches tall and the temperature doesn’t get too high.
High
temperatures quickly damage records, so it is important to monitor the
environment where your records are stored. Ideally, the ambient temperature should not be
allowed to exceed 75° F, especially if the
records are not clean and stored upright!
Given
the fact that we both sell and collect vintage windup phonographs, Nauck's
doesn't wish
to discourage persons from experiencing the thrill of listening to vintage
records on period equipment. (There’s just something magical about playing old
records on antique machines!) However, it also can’t be denied that the heavy
reproducers and steel needles used on vintage phonographs do wear records much
faster than modern equipment. We feel strongly that significant, valuable or
mint records should only be played on modern electric turntables. We are
stewards of these artifacts for whatever period of time is allotted to us, and
rare records should be preserved for future generations.
Having
said that, there are zillions of records out there that are not valuable or
rare, and if you want to play your Victrola, knock yourself out! Just be sure to
use a properly rebuilt reproducer and a fresh new needle for every play. (We
sell steel needles – 500 for $20.00, postpaid.)
If
you are a serious record collector, you will want to invest in a quality
turntable. You will be able to enjoy your records, transfer them to tape or CD
and preserve them for posterity. We sell a range of machines and audio equipment
designed to properly play all types of records (vintage and non-vintage). Please
visit the audio section of our Resource Catalog on this website for more
information on the proper playback of old recordings.
To
be truthful, unless you are a serious collector or have inherited an important
collection, most of your records probably have little if any value. This is because the
great majority of vintage records (like coins, stamps, postcards, comic books
and other collectibles) are very common. Records were pressed by the millions,
and there are many more records still in existence than there are collectors
seeking them.
Generally
speaking, most records in the following categories have little value: big band,
popular songs (including Bing Crosby), ethnic recordings, classical, opera
(including Caruso), post-war country, sacred titles and album sets. Genres more
likely to have value will include early jazz, blues and hillbilly, early
operatic and classical records produced overseas and special types of records
such as picture discs, rare labels, early 7" records, and similarly
uncommon categories. Cylinders are plentiful, though there are certain
types, brands and artists highly desired by collectors.
Our recommendation is that you check out any group of records before disposing of them, just to make sure that you have nothing of significant value. We offer a want list that describes what types of records are valuable and tells generally what we pay for them. You may acquire a copy of this brochure by clicking the Sell Your Records button on our homepage.
Click here for a short video that will give you a little information about vintage record values.
How do I dispose of records I do not want?
Assuming
you have sent for a copy of our want list and determined that you have
nothing of value, you have three choices: attempt to sell them, give them away
or throw them away.
If
you don’t have valuable records, you will find it very difficult to sell them.
EBay is loaded with worthless records being offered by people trying to clean
out their closets. And even if you find a buyer, you will likely find that the effort to
list, pack and ship them is more trouble than they are worth. You might also try
to find a local antique dealer or flea market that would give you a few dollars.
If you have the time, try running a classified ad in your local paper. But
don’t expect to get more than 10 to 50 cents per record. (Less if you have
hundreds of them!)
Giving
them away is certainly an option. Try the local Salvation Army or Goodwill. Some
charities will even pick them up, though you might have to throw in some
clothes or furniture to get them to make the trip. If any friend,
neighbor or relative has the slightest interest in them, send them in that
direction. We especially encourage donations to children and teenagers. With all the noise
referred to as music being broadcast these days, what greater gift could you
give a young person than an introduction to worthwhile music? (Of course, you
will need to be sure that the child has a way of playing your records!)
If
you think that you might donate your collection to a university, library or
archive, think again. Very few institutions will accept records of any sort, as
most of them don’t even have turntables to play them. Unless you have a collection
of real significance, you're going to have a hard time finding anyone in
academia who will talk to you.
Your
last option is to toss the records, but we really discourage that. Unless a
record is broken, damaged or contains objectionable material, why throw it away?
Try to find a church hosting an annual rummage sale and drop them off there.
They might still wind up in the trash bin, but at least your conscience will be
clear!
How can I transfer my vintage records to tape or CD?
You
may transfer recordings in one of two ways: acoustically or electrically. To
acoustically transfer your records, simply hang a microphone in front of the
speaker or phonograph horn and hit the record button. As a bonus, you’ll also
get the dog barking across the street, the traffic driving by and your daughter
slamming the bathroom door.
To
electrically transfer your records you will need a decent turntable with phono
plugs, a preamplifier (or integrated amplifier) and a recording device (tape
recorder, CD writer or computer sound card). More information on this topic is
available in the audio section of the Resource Catalog on this website.
Where can I get needles, sleeves and other
accessories?
Nauck’s
sells sleeves (new and used), record storage albums, needles & styli, cylinder
boxes and various other products designed with the record collector in mind.
Visit the Resource Catalog on this website for a full listing of available
products.
Where can I get my phonograph fixed?
This
depends on what sort of phonograph you have and what type of work it needs. Feel
free to e-mail us with specific details, and we will try to provide a suitable
reference.
How do I participate in Nauck’s Vintage Record
Auction?
Nauck’s auctions (also known as Nauctions) are held twice a year, generally in the Spring and Fall. These are mail auctions, so you do not have to be present in order to participate. Established customers receive free catalogs when the auction is published, and generally have one month to submit their bids. The auctions can also be accessed from our website.
Directions
and rules are available on the Auction Protocol page of this website.
What happens to auction records that do not sell?
Roughly
six weeks after the close of an auction, we post a list of unsold lots on our
website. Persons are free to pick and choose from these records on a first-come,
first-served basis. All records are available at their minimum bid prices,
unless otherwise noted. The minimum order is $20, not including shipping costs.
Does Nauck’s have a public shop?
We do have a facility open to collectors by appointment only. Visitors are free to browse the books and products available in our Resource Catalog, and they are also welcome to examine or listen to auction lots under the supervision of one of our staff members. Records may also be available for purchase.
There
are numerous resources available to both beginning and advanced collectors.
Obviously, the first place to start is the book section of our Resource
Catalog. Here you will find an extensive offering of titles specifically chosen
with the vintage record and phonograph
collector in mind. Detailed descriptions accompany each listing, and we are
happy to answer any questions you may have.
You
might also consider joining a society or club that shares your interest in
antique audio. The following organizations would be happy to send you literature
on what they have to offer: the Association
for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC), the Canadian
Antique Phonograph Society (CAPS), the City of
London Phonograph & Gramophone Society (CLPGS), and the Michigan
Antique Phonograph Society (MAPS).
In
addition to the periodicals, newsletters and journals published by collector societies, you might also be interested in subscribing to
magazines such as The Record Collector
(which caters to opera collectors).