Records - Collecting

There are two other possible, though uncertain, sources of records: the country auction sale, and somebody's attic. Many people just do not throw things away. When they are finished using something and it begins to clutter up the living area, these savers, who are not collectors, move unused items to a dark corner of the attic or the cellar. Old records, among other things, can remain untouched and probably forgotten, until the house burns down or the family packs up to move. So talk to your friends about old unwanted records. If you're lucky, you'll hit the jackpot.

Before you can start your record collection properly, it is necessary to make a careful study of the subject. Two books, both by Julian Morton Moses, are highly recommended: Collectors Guide to American Recordings, 1895 to 1950, and Price Guide to Col-lector Recordings. Mr. Moses, who operates the American Record Collectors' Exchange in New York City, is an outstanding authority on old records.

Another top authority on old records (and old motion pictures) is Joe Franklin, star of the television show, Down Memory Lane. Joe has one of the largest and most valuable record collections in the world. He has the distinction, too, of paying what is believed to be the highest price ever paid for a recording—one thousand dollars— for Rudolph Valentino's recording of "The Kashmiri Song" on the Brunswick label. Joe refuses to place a value on that record. "I am not interested in any offers," Joe said. "The record is not for sale, and I am satisfied that I did not pay too much for it."

Page 1 2

Home > Collecting > Records