The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I'm new to this and would like to begin building my library.
I tend to avoid eBay but would be comfortable with established sellers if they came recommended.
Please recommend sellers that are known for quality and customer service.
I prefer to deal with people that are in the hobby rather than someone just trying to unload flea-market junk.

CMcPherson wrote:I'm new to this and would like to begin building my library.
I tend to avoid eBay but would be comfortable with established sellers if they came recommended.
Please recommend sellers that are known for quality and customer service.
I prefer to deal with people that are in the hobby rather than someone just trying to unload flea-market junk.

You can find decent records at yard sales, estate sales , thrift shops, antique shows and at phonograph shows. Where are you located as there are several regional phonograph clubs and a world wide club called the Antique Phonograph Society that publishes a top quality magazine quarterly. This forum is a great place to meet collectors and dealers all over the world.

Best of luck with your new phonograph and record collecting. Stephen Madara New Jersey

I'm in Central Va. I would be happy if there was a club near me but I haven't found one yet.
I'm looking for a retailer.

I agree that the APS is an excellent source of information.

As for building a record collection: what do you like? Record collecting is not a competition. Think of the music you like, and collect that.

Bill

BIll's suggestion is a good one.

When I was younger, I'd accept any 78 rpm record that was offered to me. I wound up acquiring a lot of stuff from the late 1930's - 1940's, which generally should not be played on acoustic talking machines ( softer record material, wear quickly on an acoustic machine ). Plus that music is readily available as CD compilations or digital down-loads.

I like to collect pre-1935 records, with emphasis on 1920's jazz, and earlier recordings.

I have favorite artists - Billy Murray, Collins & Harlan, John McCormack, Vaudeville stars, etc.

Favorite genres = Comedy, Classical music, Minstrel tunes, "Car" or "Train" songs, Military Bands & Marches

Favorite tunes - "He'd have to get out and get under", "The little Ford rambled right along", "Aunt Dinah's Golden Wedding", etc.

I prefer to buy records in person - that way I can see condition before buying. If it's a "lot" of records, and the price is right, I might just grab the whole box, and sort later.

E-bay can be risky, as much for the seller being able to pack the records so they survive the trip as anything else. I've had 50% of my e-bay records arrive in pieces.

Talking machine meets are great places to find records- many sellers have their records sorted by era / genre / artist, etc. and you can find reasonable deals. There's one twice a year in Wayne, NJ, and also at Union, IL.

There are also a few reputable dealers who hold record auctions periodically, who have catalog listings, and who know how to pack for safe shipping.


Thrift stores and estate sales are also great places to look.

Unless it's a "special" record ("rare" or fits-in with my criteria), I try to spend $1 or less for a 10-inch disc.

Lucius1958 wrote: As for building a record collection: what do you like? Record collecting is not a competition. Think of the music you like, and collect that.
Bill

I can't imagine turning this into any kind of competition. The only stranger competition would be Curling.
I absolutely plan on collection what I like.

De Soto Frank wrote:BIll's suggestion is a good one.
I prefer to buy records in person - that way I can see condition before buying. If it's a "lot" of records, and the price is right, I might just grab the whole box, and sort later.

E-bay can be risky, as much for the seller being able to pack the records so they survive the trip as anything else. I've had 50% of my e-bay records arrive in pieces.

Talking machine meets are great places to find records- many sellers have their records sorted by era / genre / artist, etc. and you can find reasonable deals. There's one twice a year in Wayne, NJ, and also at Union, IL.

There are also a few reputable dealers who hold record auctions periodically, who have catalog listings, and who know how to pack for safe shipping.

Thrift stores and estate sales are also great places to look.

Unless it's a "special" record ("rare" or fits-in with my criteria), I try to spend $1 or less for a 10-inch disc.

I would prefer do buy in person as well. I stay away from eBay for the most part.
I would love to attend a talking machine meet-up but traveling out of state for one is not doable. I'm surprised that D.C. (much closer to me) doesn't have anything like this.
Would you please tell me who the "few reputable dealers who hold record auctions periodically" are?

I buy my records wherever I can find them. Antique shops, thrift shops, garage/estate sales, ebay - you name it. I've bought far more 78s on ebay that arrived undamaged than damaged. Knauck auctions (78rpm.com) is a good place to buy but can be costly. Kurt generally does auctions twice a year in the spring and fall and you can request a catalog on his website.

Another suggestion: since you are just starting your collection, start a list now. Maybe you will be able to remember what you have for a while, but sooner or later you will start buying duplicates without realizing it. I know I did so I created an Excel spreadsheet to list my records as I purchase them. I keep the master lists on my computer and a copy on a small tablet which I carry with me.

Always look through every stack you come across. You never know what might be lurking in there.

Good luck and happy hunting,
Jim

Great advice on making a list.
I just found a local storefront called Memory Lane Records!!!

I buy "flea market junk". You wouldn't believe the amazing stuff I get there for a buck or two a disk. It's a buyer's market for 78s in Los Angeles at least.

Back in the late 1980's and early 1990's, I could go into a flea market here in Northwest Indiana and pick up a stack of 78's for $10-20.00, sometimes a box full. I had more fun doing that than buying on e-bay. I would look through them, and find that Victor Batwing or Orthophonic etc. I found many great recordings. I would find maybe 20-30 good selections out of a hundred records.


Here in NW Indiana, we no longer have the flea markets like we did back in the day, then I turned to ebay, but after a few broken records, I no longer buy them.

A good place to check is antique stores, flea markets, garage sales etc.

I also find that this forum can be a great source for records.

Good Luck on the hunt,

Jerry