[78-L] Were 78's ever disabled in any way as record store returns to save return shipping costs?

[David Lennick]

I've never heard of this as a method of indicating a delete or discontinued 
record. During the shellac shortage when records were turned in for credit, 
someone was supposed to break off a bit to make sure they weren't laminated, 
but weren't discontinued records just jobbed out and often marked with a low 
price by the retailer? This just sounds like vandalism. Or accidental 
scratching with a staple or something.

The Sparton plant in London, Ontario manufactured Columbia records for Canada 
from 1940 to 1954 and there was a problem with album sets having scratches on 
one side of some of the discs..this apparently turned out to be caused by an 
employee who wore a large engagement ring.

dl

On 1/12/2012 1:46 AM, Dennis Flannigan wrote:
> Magazine returns often have the cover torn off, and their then recycled. I
> had old EC comics with covers removed, and the clipped corners, or drill
> holes on Lps and 45's are common.
>
> However, twice now I've had 78's in good condition, with about a half inch
> thin (toothpick point sized) cut about a half inch in length, say six
> grooves deep. Seems clearly cut with a high speed, sharp saw or some
> implement that did not shatter or chip the disc It simply leaves a half
> inch long from narrow gap starting at the edge. Is there some other
> explanation?
>
> The one I'm recording right now is, "I Touched a Star," Columbia 36161,
> Raymond Scott and his New Orchestra. Click Repair should make it sound just
> fine on a Cd, or digitally, but since it is the second I've noticed, wonder
> what happened.
>
> Dennis