Can the forum members recommend a good book on 78's?

[jeff spicoli]

I know how to use the internet for pricing guidelines and rarity for that matter but I'd like a good book that describes the rarity and maybe a little history of obscure (and common) artists and labels? There had to be a book that everybody used before the internet.

Kinda like "Look For The Dog book". I never leave home without it. To me its one of the best books I own.

What do the forum members use and recommend?

[howardpgh]

Check Mainspring Press website. They have a lot of books about recording and records.
There were so many records, one book couldn't possibly cover the whole subject.

[Torjazzer]

Check Mainspring Press website. They have a lot of books about recording and records.
There were so many records, one book couldn't possibly cover the whole subject.

I second that. I'd also like to add a warning.
Some people may recommend Les Docs' book, American Premium Record Guide which lists a lot of rare records and offers a guide to pricing which some use to estimate a record's rarity. Take everything in this book with a huge grain of salt. It is only one man's opinion. It is also badly organized, there are obvious omissions and it's expensive. Your best way of becoming more knowledgeable is to network with other collectors. Not one single book can replace that.