The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

A precursory internet search revealed some individuals pricing this record high, but is it truly rare and/or valuable?

What looks like a EX copy of a speech by a noted historical figure on an early Victor disc. It's going to be worth something indeed. If the record was trashed, probably not so much.

The polar exploration records, which include Frederick Cook (31755), Ernest Shackleton (70014) and Comm. Robert Peary (70012) are all premium discs. Released in 1909 & 1910, they are illustrated and discussed in some detail in the Collector's Guide. Cook's is perhaps the most interesting, as he was never able to substantiate his claim, and later went to prison on an unrelated fraud charge. They're worth what someone is willing to pay of course, but low three-figure values are typically seen. Nauck's Auctions offers them fairly regularly.

Wolfe and msherman - Thank you both for your replies. Its fun to learn that there is some value behind it, although I would have enjoyed the record regardless - such an interesting topic!

In particular, thanks for sharing the page of that book; I may have to pick up a copy myself. Tempting to try to find the other two!

Sorting through the other records in the same album, I came across these two Grand Prize records, and am wondering about them as well.

Guessing they don't rise to the same level as Dr. Cook, but figured I'd ask

Many thanks!

The other two records are probably not quite worth what the Cook record is worth, but they are good titles, and they all appear to be in very nice condition.
"Casey" has crossover interest from the sports collecting community as well. 12" Grand Prize records are seldom seen in that condition. They are often plagued with needle run or excessive wear. Nice find.

Grand Prize and Patents label discs are wonderful to collect; they are like batwings but have a special sound to them. If you have an Exhibition or No. 2 box on your machine, HAVE FUN.

Many thanks everyone! Yes I found the lot in the album pictured below.

It seems the album bore the brunt of time & element to preserve the full contents in overall great condition - all Grand Prize and Patent records, mostly 12", as well as some Fonotipia records I've inquired about here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=46593

"Casey" was one of the first records in the album, and being a fan of the poem, I bought the rest sight unseen - little did I realize what I had!

Yes, VanEpsFan1914, I've put my No. 2 reproducer to work!

I found the blue label Victor with Peary and Shackleton, and traded it to a record dealer for $250 in credit. This was about ten years ago.

msherman wrote:The polar exploration records, which include Frederick Cook (31755), Ernest Shackleton (70014) and Comm. Robert Peary (70012) are all premium discs. Released in 1909 & 1910, they are illustrated and discussed in some detail in the Collector's Guide. Cook's is perhaps the most interesting, as he was never able to substantiate his claim, and later went to prison on an unrelated fraud charge. They're worth what someone is willing to pay of course, but low three-figure values are typically seen. Nauck's Auctions offers them fairly regularly.

I know the Wax Amberol cylinders are just about up there in price with Polk Miller and Sophie Tucker for most sought out WAs.