The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Hey everyone,

I picked up my copy of this simply gorgeous 78rpm picture disc featuring many Paul Whiteman classics. I've uploaded this for you to enjoy - these usually sell for quite a lot so I consider myself very lucky to own a copy!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubOeYQqnras[/youtube]

Great disk and a lovely find. Are these made of shellac? From the surface noise it sounds like it - but is it clear so that you can see the picture below?

S-B-H

I gave it a quick tap and it sounds like shellac, it certainly sounds like shellac - but it feels slightly flexible. I think it definitely is shellac. Weren't Victor experimenting with some kind of vinyl substitute around this time?

Clear shellac? I doubt it.

It's probably similar to a Vogue picture disc, which were vinyl in composition.

If it's from the early 30's, Vitrolac is highly possible for this record. Vitrolac is basically vinyl, too, from what I know.

Vinyl, yep. And it's spelled Victrolac in RCA literature. Dropping the 'c' was done by Modern Mechanix (and elsewhere), and that error repeated in The Fabulous Phonograph (and elsewhere).

Edisone wrote:it's spelled Victrolac in RCA literature. Dropping the 'c' was done by Popular Mechanics, and that error repeated in From Tinfoil to Stereo.

Thank you. I am well aware of the alternate spellings, but never sure which one to settle on!

The Fabulous Phonograph (Gelatt) also uses Vitrolac as a term.

oops - I just checked the PT pages in "From Tinfoil.." and it mentions only "a flexible plastic" ! So the 'Vitrolac' blame goes to Fabulous Phono!

I don't imagine that Whiteman disc would have held up too well spinning it on the ol' Victor II.

I wonder if they issued with a disclaimer on the sleeve about playback requirements. Tracking pressure not to exceed 7 ounces. Or some such.

Haha, that disclaimer would be fun!

I'm intruiged by this "Victrolac" stuff. If my record is vinyl, why isn't it as flexible or lightweight as vinyl? Does anyone know exactly what it's made of?

JHolmesesq wrote: If my record is vinyl, why isn't it as flexible or lightweight as vinyl?

Vinyl doesn't have to be flexible, or lightweight. As a look at some heavy 1940's/50's long playing 33 ⅓ RPM discs can attest.

The Whiteman disc, being two layers of (likely thick) vinyl/vitrolac with a card or paper pressed in between has to reason to thin or lightweight either.

My Vogue picture discs are the same, thick, and probably close to as heavy as a regular 78.