[78-L] more teejus questions from a beginner

[Matthew Duncan]

Hi Rod..
 
I see that you have had some or all of your questions answered but I thought I would reply with some thoughts of my own.
 
I am based in England and have collected 78s since I was about 10 years of age (I am 25 now) and find it a fascinating hobby.
 
At first, I only had access to a few charity shops (thrift stores in the USA I believe!) and to my local flea market where 78s used to turn up every week (and still turn up once in a while).
 
Then, I started going to record fairs and buying records from people further afield when I got a car....then there are the realms of auctions and websites to buy from too.
 
Basically, I started off by buying things that intrigued me (my first 78s were 1920s and 30s popular vocal and dance band ones) and also things I knew I'd like (I bought Louis Armstrong 78s knowing I would like them).
 
Later, I started buying things I had no idea about in order to learn more.  I never thought I'd ever buy Opera or Classical (or Music Hall for that matter) but I do....I have found some interesting 78s over the years and I'm glad I didn't overlook them.
 
Personally I would always look out for Black Patti 78s.....but I am just as interested in 100 other labels too, aswell as finding things I have never seen before.
 
The short lived and budget labels are a great source of music, as are the likes of Columbia, Victor and other major labels....I wouldn't ignore any label in particular.
 
You will find the members of this list very helpful, as I did when I first joined and you will find out in your own way and in your own time what music you like to hear on 78s.
 
I enjoy the hobby for many reasons and get the most I can from it through having an open mind and an enquiring mind.  In this hobby you never stop learning and there are always interesting avenues to persue....but you can decide yourself what to get involved in.
 
I produce regular podcasts using 78s from my collection and they can be found on the following sites - maybe they would be of some interest:
 
http://mattys78rpmshows1.podbean.com
 
http://mattys78rpmshows2.podbean.com
 
All the very best,
Matthew Duncan
 


--- On Sun, 2/10/11, Rod Brown <raudiobrown at gmail.com> wrote:


From: Rod Brown <raudiobrown at gmail.com>
Subject: [78-L] more teejus questions from a beginner
To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
Date: Sunday, 2 October, 2011, 20:24


Hey all,

Here's the latest in my continuing series of basic questions about
collecting 78s.

I just bought a couple of very nice Richard Jose records, mostly because the
labels were unusual, at least to my eye. They are gold ink on a white
background, with all the particulars type-written in, and a couple of
corrections done long-hand with a fountain pen. Are these test pressings, or
does this type of label have some other significance? I'd have thought this
would be a bit early for radio promotional copies, since from what I've
read, Jose was near the end of his time in Victor's catalog by the late
teens/early twenties (thanks, Tim Gracyk). Oh, yes--the titles are "When You
And I Were Young Maggie" and "Dear Old Girl."