[78-L] "Value" of 78s

[Taylor Bowie]

As per usual,  Mr.  Barr seems fixated on the idea that 78s are worth "about 
$1 each (or less)."  I"m not sure why this concept is so important to him, 
as in fact it is simply not true.   The fact that he buys tons of material 
for pennies does not take anything away from the ongoing market for better 
78s,  of which there are many in all categories which routinely sell for 
many times one dollar.

There is lots of cheap crap in every field of "collectable" material, 
including records,  books,  art,  antiques,  etc. etc.  In no case is the 
general value of material defined by the lowest common denominator,  as Mr. 
Barr insists on doing with records.

I could put together a small collection of 18th century books,  none of 
which would be worth more than $5 or $10 each.  But I would never say that 
"18th century books are worth $5 to $10."

I don't collect with any interest in the "investment" factor,  but because I 
enjoy listening to the music,  studying the artists,  and learning about the 
times and the circumstances when the records were made.


Taylor


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steven C. Barr" <stevenc at interlinks.net>
To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 6:20 PM
Subject: [78-L] There ain't no sanity clause...?!


> Okeh...the purpose of this post is to start (1) some serious 
> thinking...and
> (2) some serious discussion...?!
>
> All (AFAIK) of us here on 78-L are active collectors of (very) old 78 rpm
> phonorecords. We spend as much (or, in my most recent case, MORE than?!)
> as we can afford to acquire these ancient artifacts...and/or related
> artifacts
> thereunto...! We also spend large sums on devices which will actually
> RETRIEVE the sounds which they contain! Further, we send out MANY
> e-mail messages concerning these artifacts (thus keeping 78-L alive...?!)!
>
> Now, unlike many other collectible artifacts, 78rpm phonorecords are
> NOT promising investments; while the motor cars I once owned (1951
> Cadillac 60 Special--1966 Mustang convertible) have 100-tupled
> their initial value, "78's" are still worth about $1 each (or less?!). 
> Yet,
> we (and especially *I*) continue to acquire the dommed things...?!
>
> Admittedly, most of the content is only available to be heard to-day
> via the original "78"...BUT a 78 can only provide two or three minutes
> of "listening pleasure"...?!
>
> For our resident classical-music aficianados, there is a further issue;
> classical records primarily exist in "album set" form, requiring the
> listener to rise and change the record every 3-5 minutes...?!
>
> SO...why do we all have this illogical fascination?!
>
> NO prize for "best answer"...I was just wonderin'...?!
>
> Steven C. Barr
>
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