[78-L] Did The English Take Better Care Of Their Records?

[Robert M. Bratcher Jr.]

At 02:39 PM 6/4/2010, you wrote:

>A lot of them were probably imported to North America because the 
>originals were long out of print. I turn up nice HMVs and 
>Parlophones in radio station collection and at jazz conventions. Of 
>course the ones you really want to get are the Australian laminated 
>pressings, which are extraordinary..even of run-of-the-mill 12" 
>Deccas like the Paul Whitemans.
>
>
>
>dl
>

I've noticed that the big band, pop, & rock 78's (of US artists) that 
I buy in English pressings on Ebay  are often in better shape than 
the US pressing of the same records. Either they weren't played as 
much or they were better taken care of by a past owner or owners. 
Where I find both US & English pressings in the same great shape is 
mid to late 50's pop & rock 78's as here in the states the 45's were 
played much more than the 78's (of the same record) were. Often I've 
found a near mint to very good condition 78 rpm of a record where the 
45' is often in poorer shape but still playable until a better one 
comes along. At least thats how I've found many 50's era US issues to 
be. The English 45's might be in better shape but I honestly don't 
know if they are or not as I really don't look for English 45 rpm 
issues of American records although I do own a few from the 60's & 70's.

> > From: malcolm at venerablemusic.com
> > To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> > Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2010 15:34:40 -0400
> > Subject: [78-L] Did The English Take Better Care Of Their Records?
> >
> > I swear, after listing and grading several thousand records, 
> every time I run across English (or other European) issues of 
> various jazz and country records, they are nearly always in 
> pristine shape compared to their American counterparts. Most every 
> Parlophone or HMV I come across is in E to E+ condition! In fact, 
> I'm trying to remember ever having an English issue record in less 
> than VG shape? I'm not always sure how the English issues got back 
> here to the States (other than the obvious years of trading), but 
> surely they would have been enjoyed just same on the other side of pond?
> > Is it just that Europeans understood the importance of a fresh 
> needle? What gives?
> >
> > Malcolm