Guys, what is the most valuable old record that you own?

[CarlosV]

The affirmation that red Columbias don't have any good music is a very risky proposition... there are LOTS of good music on those, not to mention the many splendid reissues of older jazz records, but also lots of the production of greats as Benny Goodman or Teddy Wilson, Ellington, Sinatra, etc, etc...

Absolutely correct, Iñigo. Besides the high quality of its roster in the 40s, I would add that the quality of the recording is mostly excellent, as well as the composite pressing. What may lead to some decry the quality of the red Columbias is that it is not as visually evident when these discs are worn as with shellac prints, which may mislead the listener in thinking that he is listening to a new record full of noise. A pristine red Columbia will play with very low noise, and with the same quality as the best Victors of the time.

[epigramophone]

You might notice that there are rarely discussions on this forum about the $ value of machines or records, (unless it's in the classified section, where that's necessary). That's because, for the most part, it's not what most collectors here are about. It's about the item, its history, it's restoration, its unique function, etc. Its cost and what anyone paid for it is frankly the business of the buyer & seller only. To flaunt a "look what I paid" comment is somewhat unseemly. If you want to ask, "What's the rarest record you own?" it may be better received.

Amen!

Seconded! We are collectors, not investors.

[MisterGramophone]

The affirmation that red Columbias don't have any good music is a very risky proposition... there are LOTS of good music on those, not to mention the many splendid reissues of older jazz records, but also lots of the production of greats as Benny Goodman or Teddy Wilson, Ellington, Sinatra, etc, etc...

Absolutely correct, Iñigo. Besides the high quality of its roster in the 40s, I would add that the quality of the recording is mostly excellent, as well as the composite pressing. What may lead to some decry the quality of the red Columbias is that it is not as visually evident when these discs are worn as with shellac prints, which may mislead the listener in thinking that he is listening to a new record full of noise. A pristine red Columbia will play with very low noise, and with the same quality as the best Victors of the time.

Guess it is my bias against electrically-recorded records kicking in again.

[Inigo]

Ha, ha... acoustic bias, plus the omnipresence of red Columbias in every record bunch whenever you're looking for a different thing!!

[MisterGramophone]

"Rare" doesn't necessarily mean "good" or expensive, it's more about the chances of randomly finding one.

The rarest (most expensive) 78 is a Paramount record by Tommy Johnson - "Alcohol and Jake Blues", which sold for $37,000. But being ridiculously expensive, doesn't make it "good". AND, if you really want to hear it, you can listen to it for free, IF you can stand listening to it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCOmShbEukI

I guess it's an acquired taste...

Screenshot 2024-01-14 at 7.30.23 PM.png

Oh my god! This record sucks.

[Curt A]

That was exactly my impression...

[MisterGramophone]

Ha, ha... acoustic bias, plus the omnipresence of red Columbias in every record bunch whenever you're looking for a different thing!!

I have found well over 5 record crates with ZERO red Columbias.

[Inigo]

I have found well over 5 record crates with ZERO red Columbias.

That's indeed the rare, rare thing!!!

[zipcord]

That Tommy Johnson song was great! I could listen to records like that all day long

[Woody]

I agree with the general sentiment here—an expensive record has no value for me if I don’t actually care for the music, and frankly, my taste doesn’t lean toward the expensive.

But I’ve been periodically following the auction of Joe Bussard’s collection, and it’s kind of fascinating to see what kinds of prices some of his shellacs are fetching. (They’re all pretty high, but I’d imagine that he probably owned a lot of common 78s in addition to the rarities and that those haven’t popped up yet.)

This one, for example: https://joesvintage78.com/product/rube- ... es-record/

It’s by Rube Lacy, who I’d never heard of before, and the bid has already reached $1,200. Good heavens!

(I checked out the song on YouTube, which probably comes from this very copy, and it really is pretty incredible. Not $1,200 incredible—not for me, at least—but still incredible.)