Old His Master's Voice Binders, Worth Saving?

[vince in IL]

There's a bunch of these in fair condition at a local Goodwill store, with various 78s in them. I know some of the 78s might be of value if in good shape, but don't know which. Since I have a gutted RE-45 variant looking at me from across the room, should I add these to the family for atmosphere if they're still there in the morning?

Thanks!

vince

[JohnM]

If you can get them for $5 apiece or less, you won't get hurt. Most 78's are only worth $1-$2 each or even less, so while it would be possible and nice to find valuable ones, just don't count on it. The albums you show are from an acoustical-era Victrola, 1912-1924, not from the time of the RE-45 (1929-1930).

[vince in IL]

Thanks! I think the price will be a little below $5 for each binder. Yes, there might be a goodie or two in the bunch, but that's beside the point. Even if they're a bit older, I like gathering up stuff that goes together. We'll see what the morning brings....

vince

[FloridaClay]

The albums themselves may have a little value if they are in good shape. It seems to be getting harder and harder to find sound ones. Most I see these days have damaged spines, torn or missing internal sleeves, etc.

Clay

[Wolfe]

Thanks! I think the price will be a little below $5 for each binder. Yes, there might be a goodie or two in the bunch, but that's beside the point. Even if they're a bit older, I like gathering up stuff that goes together. We'll see what the morning brings....

vince

So, what hath the morning wrought?

You could probably wait a month and they'd still be there, unless Goodwill throws then out. 78's tend to linger around those places...

I've seen them in thrift stores, come back to the store 2-3 months later and the same records I saw are still sitting there, ones that I don't particularly want, but might still be of some interest to others. Especially classical album sets.

And no I don't think the binders are worth much. Especially, as another poster noted, they have a tendency to be falling apart. The paper sleeves in those brown folders is usually cracking and breaking apart.

[Henry]

They'd have to be real basket cases before I'd throw out the binders. I've used brown duct tape on the covers where they are separating from the spines; it may not look so great, but after all, they aren't making these anymore, and I don't see them coming up FS all that often. Also, I've found that poly-lined paper sleeves from bagsunlimited.com can be inserted into the binder sleeves and will insure safekeeping of the records. YRMV!

[Edisone]

Those albums would have come home with me, no questions asked.

[HisMastersVoice]

And no I don't think the binders are worth much. Especially, as another poster noted, they have a tendency to be falling apart. The paper sleeves in those brown folders is usually cracking and breaking apart.

On the contrary. I just purchased 11 albums full of early grand prize victors for $40 from an estate. Only 3 of the albums were in acceptable condition, the rest were completely falling apart. I kept the 200 records, sold the 3 good albums for $50, and and the rest for $60 on eBay. People will buy them all day long.

[Wolfe]

People will buy them all day long.

There are indeed plenty of people seeking empty folders. And I suppose those early ones could also be seen as desirable under that umbrella.

There are other types of sets that are far more durable, though. I use some of them myself.The ones in the post may be good for display with a period correct machine, but may not stand up well to repeated handling, IMO. Even if they're in good nick (for now.)

[vince in IL]

The morning found me buying 10-11 albums, think that's all there were. There's about three sizes, and some are pretty beat up, some are in good shape. Quite a few records to go through.

Sometimes stuff like this goes fast, other times it sits and waits. I think it has to do with someone knowing if there's an interest or demand and if not keeping it, how to resell. Ebay complexity and fees make it less than optimal for items that don't have a high value.

I saw a couple other non-Victor binders at another store, forgot what albums were on the cover, think I will get them if the price is right. As a connoisseur of old stuff, I hate to see these kind of antiques get trashed when there are people interested in them.

Thanks for all the great comments, this is an interesting and fun board!

vince