The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

When I started collecting Victrolas back in the olden days I wasn't too concerned about having the correct records boxes or albums. As time passed and collecting changed a bit, collectors wanted correct record containers for their Victrolas. I made the effort to accumulate boxes for my VTLA. I quickly realized that boxes were both impractical and fragile in comparison to albums. I now have three versions of the VTLA and one early XVI all with empty boxes. What are your experiences and use of record boxes?

Jerry Blais

Jerry,

I do not.
I find the boxes way too fragile and delicate to hold records.
They are in my L-door for display purposes only.

Gene

I do, if you handle them carefully, I've never had any problems. The albums that replaced the boxes, however, are a different animal altogether, I don't keep records in those.

Sean

I do not store records in either vintage boxes or albums. Most of them are simply too fragile to use.

Jim

I, too do not use either the albums or boxes. With the boxes, the records break if you take the record out, too fast. The book type albums have the covers tend to break, and the green envelopes split and crack, too. Remember this is 110 year old paper.
Harvey Kravitz

I know this is a little off-topic. But I have quite a stack of 10" 78s which need better storage than like a stack of pancakes on a basement shelf (my current situation). So until I come up with something more traditional, I'm going to use these portable file totes from Staples, and keep the records in them in individual paper sleeves. 10" discs fit perfectly in the totes and I can use hanging file dividers if I want. Since the top locks and has a handle, they can easily be moved. Has anyone tried something like this?

https://www.staples.com/Staples-Portabl ... uct_757448

Jim

Hi Jim,

This type of portable file tote should work just fine to store 10" 78s in --- but I wouldn't trust the handle or the lock /latch mechanism to hold up under the weight of the records!!! To help avoid accidental breakage, always support these totes from below when carrying or moving them.

Bob

Thanks for the heads up Bob. I already had several of these file totes and with a full load of paper files, I haven't had any failures carrying them. But I can see how a load of records my be heavier. I'll be sure to lift them from the bottom.

Jim