Advice request

[Skip]

New to APS and seeking advice. We inherited a collection of roughly 50 early generation DDs and about 100 10” records (example photos attached). Can someone advise if these would be of interest and potential value? We’re in Orange County Ca.

[Jerry]

Records are always of interest here. Unfortunately, for the most part, value is relatively low. There are exceptions to that, but they're fairly rare.

[CurtA]

Values of all records is dependent on (1) Titles, (2) Condition/relative scarcity and (3) Labels

 

For example, if the 3 - 10" 78s shown are typical of what you have and are not "desirable titles" (it takes years of collecting to know what those might be) - unfortunately, they have very little value (less than $1.00 each).  It would be difficult to find a collector/buyer for 100 common 78s at $50.  The same is true for Edison DDs.  Any Paramount or Black Patti labels are worth researching.

 

On the other hand, if one of yours is titled  “Alcohol And Jake Blues” sung by Tommy Johnson, you have won the lottery (at least $37,000 worth):  https://www.tefteller.com/html/rarest_78_record.html

You can hear its on YouTube and wonder why anyone paid that much:  

 

[Skip]

Curt, thanks so much for your time and insight. I’ll look through our collection for the ones you mention. Does the APS DD discography identify which of those would be of special interest to collectors?

[CurtA]

For more info/desirability/relative prices, check out - popsike.com

Also, check "SOLD" prices on eBay, as opposed to "asking" prices.  Asking prices are not reliable or necessarily accurate, things on eBay are only worth what someone might be willing to pay.

 

Look for Black Label Columbia or "batwing" Victor records, also 7" records.

Edited September 18 by CurtA

[BenL]

I agree with Curt. Popsike, eBay, and Discogs can all be good resources when valuing 78s, though each has its own faults. Popsike only gives you a certain number of searches before it tries to force you to buy a subscription. It's one of the better options, though, as it compiles sold prices over a few websites and isn't showing asking prices. That's the problem with eBay and Discogs. There's a big difference in what someone is asking for a record versus what it sold for in the past. Discogs can also show you past prices, but they can be a little deceiving. I'm a Discogs user and like the site, but it's definitely made more for LP collectors than 78+ collectors. There are also a few sites that let you search past eBay auctions to show you sold prices, but many are like Popsike, only giving you a few searches before they want you to buy a subscription or make an account.

Edited September 18 by BenL