The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hello. I am new to collecting 78s- I bought a Victrola from the 1920s back in October and have been having fun finding records and learning all about them!

I am hoping someone can help me out. I looked online before coming here, but had no luck finding an answer.
I was looking for records the other day and came across three of the same Columbia record 37817- Alamo Steel Serenade. I looked to see which was in the best condition and noticed that one of the records had the words "DECCA Recording" written in cursive in the shellac. I took that one home with me because it was different.

Can anyone help me learn why that would be written in the shellac? I searched online and didn't find anything close to explaining it.

I attached 2 pictures so you can see. Don't mind the messy counter- it was cookie-thon. Thank you for your help! I know this site will def come in handy.

My guess is that the sleeve holding the record was exposed to heat and the words bled through to the record.

Agreed. It's just print-through. Not at all unusual to find records stored in sleeves from different companies.

Both previous posts are correct... The image is from a 1940s DECCA sleeve - you can also see the wavy design as seen in the attached picture.

It's not uncommon to see this.

It also tells me that these records have sat around doing nothing for a very long time.

The printed area has sealed the porous paper enough so the air passing though it creates the effect over decades. A good cleaning and this ghostly haze should be exorcised. Similar to Gas Ghosting in the offset printing world.

James.

Thank you for the replies and the answer. I do now see the wavy design from the cover now that you pointed it out. How would you recommend cleaning shellac records? I haven't cleaned any, have been afraid to do that and a bunch of them have dust that won't wipe off. Thank you again.

OldSoul20s wrote:Thank you for the replies and the answer. I do now see the wavy design from the cover now that you pointed it out. How would you recommend cleaning shellac records? I haven't cleaned any, have been afraid to do that and a bunch of them have dust that won't wipe off. Thank you again.

If you search the board, you'll find that there are many threads on this topic. Here's one:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=18910&hilit=dawn

Welcome to the forum, OldSoul!

One thing you will want to do before you buy too many old records, is make sure you aren't destroying them on your Victrola. They're good reliable machines to use frequently but you will want the soundbox rebuilt and fresh needles. The steel needle wears out each side but they are inexpensive and easy to swap.

As for the soundbox, some of the older models can be repaired for less than $20 in half an hour, and even if they worked before, it's always better for your records to play them on a fully restored machine where everything flexes as it should.

What kind of Victrola do you have?

Thank you for the link on cleaning the records. I will do some cleaning this week.

I do have new needles, I bought medium and loud ones and change them out every few record plays. I know I am supposed to change them every play and on the records I really like, I do.

I have a Victor VV100-50837. I bought it pretty cheap at the antique store. I think whoever had it before took care of it. I will find someone to repair the soundbox especially if it isn't that expensive to do so.

Thank you again.

Check out these videos about repairing a Victor reproducer. It's not that hard.

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)

(Double-click the video above or click this link to go to the video on YouTube.)