[78-L] Lamination Cracks

[DAVID BURNHAM]

David Harvey wrote:

i recently acquired a copy of Paramount 30083, a blue label issue from 1918. it has a series of raised faults, maybe half a dozen or so, radiating outwards from the center hole to the edge that resemble frost heaves in paved roads. 


the grooved surface of the shellac itself is not broken, but it is raised along these heave-lines. it seems like an under-layer has created upheaves that are in the process of cracking the surface shellac, but that the process has not broken completely through to the top surface - it is only bending the top layer, not breaking/cracking it. 


i have not played/digitized this disc yet, but expect that - with the right sylus - it should play through ok, probably with ticks. 


does anyone know the composition of these 1918 Paramounts, i e, are they laminated and if so, laminated from what substances? can i expect this condition to deteriorate further over time? 


thanks in advance, 
david harvey 

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I can't really answer the question you've asked but if the grooved surface is still intact then your priority is to get this record onto another medium.  Once you've done that, there's no reason not to continue to try to improve the surface condition, (but I wouldn't expect you'll have much success at that).  I, of course, don't know what equipment you have for transferring records but if the surface faults you're talking about are as I imagine them to be, you will probably have to play the record at 33 1/3 rpm to keep the stylus in the groove - even adding a bit of weight to the arm if necessary.

Good luck!
db