The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

If those are 4 minute wax Amberols (judging by the green boxes), it is an absolute miracle that they survived... Once you clean them up and put them on a mandrel they will probably self destruct as they normally do when kept in pristine condition (they are known for that).

You could always put them on eBay and describe them as "slightly soiled and gently used" or "stored safely in a peat bog for the last 100 years"...

The photo shows the deterioration where the surface of the wax is actually peeling off. Perhaps the glue in the cardboard case has dissolved and stuck to the surface along with temperature change damage. I doubt any will be playable.

I notice there’s a copy of The Teddy Bears Picnic. That must be an early recording?

As Curt says they didn’t last. I don’t think I have any of the ones left that I had as a youngster.

Mind you. I’ve gotta say it, I’m now disillusioned with Blue Amberols, I recently bought one and it arrived cracked. The first non-cheapie I’ve bought. The cheapies have always arrived perfect.