[78-L] Frequently Asked (or otherwise clueless) Questions

neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com neechevoneeznayou at gmail.com
Wed Jan 25 05:53:35 PST 2012


That Monarch is a really nice find Rod. I was collecting for many years 
before I encountered one and later to actually acquire one. Not 
typically what I collect, but when I see something that old for a 
reasonable price, I snatch it up. Like Shaw's Broken English and Spoken 
English. Sometimes I just like a label design.

There's nothing of interest to me musically on a Berliner, but I wanted 
one just to show. Also a brown wax cylinder. When I found a stack of 
Berliners and early Johnson records for dirt, I grabbed them eagerly. 
Some of these now decorate my wall.

Who else puts records on a wall besides a collector? Really....

The cylinder is more difficult to display on a wall. Especially the 
great big ones.

As far as what you collect, it typically reflects your musical tastes. 
I'm primarily a classical collector, also get into some OTR, and dabble 
every once in a while in early electric dance bands.

I don't think anyone on this list minds newbie questions (and we may 
learn something anyway, or find something new to argue over). It's good 
for the old farts, I mean old timers, to hear the questions of new/young 
collectors. You are going to replace us at the end of the day.

joe salerno


On 1/25/2012 4:04 AM, Rod Brown wrote:
>>
>> Professors,
>
>
> I'm wondering if there is an on-line site to visit with basic beginners'
> questions about collecting 78s. I ask because I often feel like asking my
> little elementary queries of 78-L list members is too like asking Mr.
> Hawking to help me with my long division homework. As much as I hesitate to
> flatter anyone to that degree, asking questions can be a little
> intimidating for this newbie.
>
> Since I doubt there is such an on-line resource, I guess I should be asking
> about what a 78 Collector's basic library should include. I know lots of
> money can be spent on books, but what titles would any of you nominate for
> a basic collector?
>
> This past weekend, I was trying to choose some 78s to take home out of a
> batch of about 1,500 of them. I was never more acutely aware of how little
> I know about this whole complex endeavor (I can't call it merely a
> 'hobby'). I'd have loved to know even a little more than I do, to help me
> make decent decisions.
>
> In any case, I added what might be the oldest record in my small
> collection. That's a Monarch Record with a black label. Mainspring Press
> seems to describe this as the "straight-line" design. The number (both on
> the label and in the matrix) is 1799. The music is a sextette called "Tell
> Me Pretty Maiden" from "Floradora." The label is recessed. Nothing at all
> on the back of this one. I haven't seen much on the 'net about the Monarch
> name and why, when, or for how long it was used.
>
> The record has a deep dimple exactly on the last groove, that seems as
> though it might have been put there intentionally, as an alarm: clunk,
> clunk, clunk means "The record is over; please remove the tone arm." Or is
> this more likely a pressing accident, or later damage?
>
> Guess I'll timorously hit 'send.' Thanks for any wisdom you have the time
> to share.
>
> Rod
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>

-- 
Joe Salerno


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