The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I was offered a box of records for free and just got the titles. I wanted to post them here to see if I got any good ones. Could anyone tell me which ones, if any, are "keepers"?

1. An Old Fashioned Picture 20193B/There's a New Star in Heaven Tonight 20193A by Vernon Dalhart
2. Frenchman in St. Louis 28981/Pagan in Paris by Jack Pleis and His Orchestra
3. Sweet Genevieve 18130A/When You and I Were Young, Maggie 18130B by McKee Trio
4. Satisfied 22116A/By The Way 22116B by Henry Busse and His Orchestra
5. The Sunshine of Your Smile 64622 by John McCormack
6. A Perfect Day 17835A/Mother Machree 17835B by McKee Trio
7. That Old Irish Mother of Mine 18696A/Just Like A Gypsy 18696B by Sterling Trio
8. Silver Threads Among the Gold 19112A/When You and I Were Young, Maggie 19112B by Henry Burr and Peerless Quartet
9. They Go Wild, Simply Wild, Over Me 18343A/Some Sweet Day 18343B by Marion Harris
10. Wreck of the Old 97 19427A/The Prisoner's Song 19427B by Vernon Dalhart
11. Annie Laurie 16388A/Ben Bolt 16388B by Elsie Baker
12. Believe Me if All Those Endearing Young Charms 746A/The Harp That Once Thro' Tara's Halls 746B by John McCormack
13. Souvenir 20584A/Serenade 20584B by Emily Gresser
14. When You and I Were Young, Maggie 64913 by John McCormack
15. The Song From Moulin Rouge 39944/Swedish Rhapsody 39944 by Percy Faith and His Orchestra
16. Oh! What A Pal Was Mary 2040A by Charles Hart/Beautiful Ohio 2040B by George Wilton Ballard
17. Moonlight Sonata 10-4217/Bolero 10-4217 by Boston Pops Orchestra
18. Sighing 17984A/Good Bye, Good Luck, God Bless You 17984B by Henry Burr
19. Chickie 19593A/Don't Bother Me 19593B by Philip Spitalny and Orchestra
20. When The Moon Comes Over The Mountain 22771A/In Sleepy Hollow 22771B by Bud Billings-Carson Robinson
21. Birmingham Jail 15212D/Columbus Stockade Blues 15212D by Darby and Tarlton
22. I'm In Heaven When I'm In My Mother's Arms 18686A/Down the Trail to Home Sweet Home 18686B by William Robyn
23. Yearning (Just For You) 19625A/No Wonder (That I Love You) 19625B by Gene Austin
24. Whispering 18690A/The Japanese Sandman 18690B by Paul Whiteman and His Ambassador Orchestra
25. Where Do You Work-A, John? 2857A/My Baby Knows How 2857B by Rivera Dance Orchestra
26. You Can't Get Along With 'Em or Without 'Em 18031A/Which Switch is the Switch, Miss, for Ipswich? 18031B by Billy Murray

Without knowing your tastes, it's hard to say what you'd want to keep.

Excepting the Darby & Tarlton record (an oddity in this bunch.) This is all very common stuff, so you're probably going to have a hard time getting any real money for them.

I'm sure if this was my box of records there's be a bunch that I'd want to keep, to listen to and enjoy, but that's all I'd expect.

Darby & Tarlton
Marion Harris
Jack Pleis
Bud Billings/Carson Robinson
Billy Murray

May be the most desirable.

'There's A New Star In Heaven Tonight' is about the death of Rudolf Valentino.

I'd definitely keep the Paul Whiteman "Whispering" and "Japanese Sandman" for the historical interest. "Whispering" was Whiteman's big hit in 1919, IIRC, and much later in the bop era was used by Dizzy Gillespie as the underlying structure for "Groovin' High" (pun intended).

Henry wrote: "Whispering" was Whiteman's big hit in 1919.

'Whispering' was cut in August, 1920.

As indicated, it was a huge hit, selling in the millions.
IMO, a keeper copy would only be one in tip top condition, as they are everywhere, still.

Thanks for the correction!

I should have looked here: http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/basic/search