The USPS Appears to Hate Louis Armstrong...

[RAK402]

Four records shipped to me-four destroyed by the USPS.

All Louis Armstrong...

It's a crying shame! The 78's survived for decades only to be destroyed by the US Postal Service.

Sorry to vent!

[Lucius1958]

I'd say the USPS isn't that particular….. they hate everybody.

Most likely, the sender didn't completely bomb-proof the package: 'FRAGILE' is more a challenge than a warning to these folks…

Bill

[Curt A]

When buying any records online, the prudent thing is to ask the seller if they have had any experience (and success) in shipping 78rpm records. Before paying, make sure they understand that you do not want to receive your records in pieces. Also, no matter what the answer, send the seller detailed instructions on how to pack them to your specs and get their agreement. I have had sellers argue with me about how to pack them and I simply tell them that if they want to get paid, do it my way... I HATE broken records.

Sample correspondence with seller:
Hi, just wondered if you have shipped 78rpm records before, since they are extremely fragile and subject to breakage. This has to be "sandwiched" between at least 2-3 pieces of cardboard on each side to keep it from flexing, then wrapped in bubble wrap and packaged in a box which is large enough to leave room on all sides. Pack the box with whatever packing you have - peanuts, shredded paper, newspaper, etc. and it should arrive in one piece. I will send a payment as soon as you reply saying this is acceptable...

[Henry]

Four records shipped to me-four destroyed by the USPS.

All Louis Armstrong...

It's a crying shame! The 78's survived for decades only to be destroyed by the US Postal Service.

Sorry to vent!

You have my deepest sympathies. Can you share the titles of those ill-fated treasures with us?

[Valecnik]

It may or may not be correct to bash the post office. How well did the seller have them packed?

[FloridaClay]

The secret is proper packing. I have received many 78s in the mail with no damage. The couple of exceptions were all the result of inadequate packing.

Clay

[RAK402]

Thank you all for the comments and suggestions!

The deceased discs:

I've Got the World on a String (Victor Scroll-very well packed, but apparently stepped on somewhere along the line).

From an album of 12" 78's (very poorly packed-the album was curved when I received it):

Ain't Misbehavin'

Save it, Pretty Mama

St. James Infirmary

Pennies From Heaven

Rockin Chair

[Victrolacollector]

I purchased a mint copy of when the roll is called up yonder on Edison DD and I received it broke in half..the seller packed well but it appeared it was inspected as media rate. I imagine someone broke it.

[bart1927]

[quote="RAK402"]Thank you all for the comments and suggestions!



From an album of 12" 78's (very poorly packed-the album was curved when I received it):

Of course any record seller that isn't a complete ignoramus should know that you NEVER should ship records in their album. When shipping an album with records, pack the empty album and the records separately.

[rgordon939]

I an Edison collector and a retired Postmaster with 42 years of service. In all my years of collecting the only breakage I have had was an Suitcase of 36 cylinders that were shipped to me. The suitcase was put in a cardboard box the same size as the suitcase, taped closed and a label pleased on it. When I received it , it sounded like a jigsaw puzzle when you moved it. It also looked like a jigsaw puzzle when I opened it. There was not one strip of packing material inside the suitcase to protect the cylinders. Thankfully the seller was very nice and made a full refund. Of the 36, only 5 made it. I gave shipped hundreds of cylinders both standard and 5" concerts all over the world and have never had any damaged. It is all in the packing, as has been said several times.

Rich Gordon