An Interview With 78 RPM Record Collector Ted Staunton
March 1st, 2008
By Marty Weil (Copyright 2008)
Interview courtesy of the Ephemera Blog, Marty Weil’s great information resource on ephemera collecting and collectors, and a member of our Hall of Fame. Ted Staunton’s site Ted Staunton’s 78 RPM Labels is also a member of our Hall of Fame.
Ted Staunton was born in England, but now lives an active retired lifestyle in Vancouver, Canada. Ted has an outstanding collection of 78 rpm record labels. We talked about his collection, how he got started, and what excites him about the hobby during this recent telephone interview.
Q: When did you become interested in collecting 78 rpm record labels?
A: My interest in 78 rpm labels grew out of another hobby, that of singing in a barbershop quartet. Listening to the sounds of quartets from the long-distant past led me into searching for their original 78 rpm recordings, beginning in the late 1990s. Being a typographic designer by profession, with a passionate interest in history, I soon began to appreciate the wide variety of designs to be found on 78 rpm record labels, and to broaden my collection to include them. By 2002, I decided I had enough to launch a website.
Q. (Weil/ephemera): What challenges or obstacles do you encounter in collecting? How do you overcome these challenges?
A. (Staunton): Collecting 78 rpm records is great fun, and it’s easy to do. There’s a kick in finding something up that’s up to 100 years old for just a dollar or two–knowing it’s worth perhaps 20, 30, or 50 times that much–and bringing history to life by playing it.
That said, there are obstacles to be overcome. To start with, one needs a 78 rpm speed record player. Hand-cranked antique Victrolas are usually in the $400-plus range, while most modern electric motor-driven record players only operate at 45 or 33 1/3 rpm.
Also, it can be hard to find antique or collectible stores with a decent stock of records. Most don’t want to be bothered with 78s because they’re a low-profit item, both heavy and fragile. Good junk stores seem to be on the decline in urban areas because of the rise in property values, so you have to look more toward suburban areas and small towns. Thrift shops are on the increase, but I’ve never found anything of outstanding value in them. One has to be persistent in searching anywhere and everywhere.
I sometimes buy records for the music rather than the label, like rural acoustic Delta blues and early Dixieland jazz, but it’s very thin on the ground. It’s often available on eBay, but then you’re usually into a time-sensitive bidding war, and losing out at the last minute on something you really wanted can be frustrating. Besides, postage charges are extra, so if you’re outside the U.S., that’s an additional $10 or $15 on top of each winning purchase. Of course, that’s cheaper than spending money on gas, but there’s more of a thrill in finding something special when you’ve gone out there and paid your dues by really searching.
Q. (Weil/ephemera): Yeah, I agree, the hunt can be very pleasurable, especially when it yields a real treasure. What are your favorite items in your collection, and how do they inspire you?
A. (Staunton): The record labels I like to find are those from the acoustic era (before 1925), when sound was recorded through a single large horn instead of through electric microphones. The curious Fadas label reminds me of that process. In the first 20 years of the recording industry, Victor and Columbia exercised almost complete control over the U.S. market, while in Europe there was a more open, competitive market, and therefore, much more variety in the number and style of labels. I like those featuring a large illustration, because so much of the period flavor comes out in them. (See the Beka and Era labels.) Generally, if I see the word Record in the label name, then I know it’s going to be probably pre-WWI, possibly quite rare, and worth collecting.
Q. (Weil/ephemera): What’s your advice for achieving success as a collector?
A. (Staunton): In my opinion, achieving success as a collector means occasionally finding something that is of both sentimental and monetary value. It takes an equal amount of effort and luck. I haven’t been at it long enough myself to describe myself as really successful. Outstanding collectors have usually been at it for a very long time, single-minded devoting many hours to mastering every detail of their particular field of interest. Recognizing that I already have an addictive personality, I try to keep things in perspective. The collecting obsession can easily get out of hand and the more important things in life, like health and family, can sometimes become secondary. Then success has really become failure.
Q. (Weil/ephemera): What resources do you recommend?
A. (Staunton): The references I consider invaluable are American Record Labels & Companies: An Encyclopedia (1891-1943)
As far as storage goes, most 78s don’t come with a protective sleeve. I bought a supply of plain ones and keep the records in them, stored on edge in heavy-duty plastic milk crates. They’re kept on a rack in my basement, which is cool and dry. They have to be kept away from direct heat, especially sunlight, or they’ll warp. I keep them indexed as on my website, first by decade and then alphabetically. When I first started collecting, I used to fastidiously clean each record with a damp cloth, but now I don’t, since I learned water and detergent can damage the shellac coating. I don’t play them much anyway; I just hoard them, and gloat over them.
Q. (Weil/ephemera): It’s a pleasure to see these great old 78 labels. Thanks for sharing your expertise on the subject, Ted.
Do you have an article you’d like us to publish as a guest column in The Collectors Weekly? Let us know.
Hi…I too have an addiction to records in general, but 78 rpm records are my favorite. I currently have about 15,000 records of various types and I inventory them so that I know exactly what I have at a glance. I find that it can be time consuming and I get a great amount of satisfaction from organizing and listening to them. I am considering a laser record player, but the cost is prohibitive. This website is great and I appreciate the effort made to make it available. Best Regards, Larry Daken.
I have lots of 78s if you are interested please let me know.
Thanks
I have some 78 recordings that appear to be made of glass.I have been advised that glass was used during World War 2 when there was a shortage of shellac.
Are there any collectors interested in these?
Your advise will be much appreciated.
.
I have several (4 cartons) 78’s? Single and double sided as well as opera sets. Dates range from 1920 to 1955? Caruso, Tex Williams,Pablo Casals,Harry Lauder, etc. Mostly classic, some popular.I have a list of all but in the middle of reviewing & verifying.
Are you interested or know of anyone who might be. thanks
Dear Mr. Weil,
I was pleased to find your article on ‘78 records and references on line.
My step father passed away a year ago, and he was a classical musician and fanatical collector of 78 records since he was discharged from his WW11 service.
His old house is literally packed floor to ceiling w/ these records - ball park 6 to 10,000 of them. He has them all in sleeves and they are stored in oak crates he built especially for them. (My objective is to basically find a good home for them so he can rest in peace. It would be nice to make some cash to give to my Mother too, as she could really use it.)
I know what I do not know, and knowing a record value is not my strength. After doing a little research, apparently I should take the time to go through these records and catalogue them…get a basic idea of value before taking them to auction? (My step father knew exactly what he had, and where he had it committed to memory. I have yet to find any written system of order.)
I heard him play many of these records on his phonographs, and I know he especially enjoyed jazz, blues, and classical music. These records were of value to him for their musical artistry, as music was a part of his life EVERY day. He would listen to them and then play the same song on his piano or guitar…almost up until the day he died.
Please share with me if this is the proper course of action Sir.
Regards Sir,
Coach Eckler
I have a cab callaway recording of “minnie the mocher” on 78rpm and about 300 more 78’s looking to sell them all. Is there any one interested let me know within ten days of posting June 25, 2008.
I have 1.5 boxes of 78’s that I recently picked up at an estate sale. How do I tell if any of them are valuable - and is anyone interested in buying them? please email me asap if you can give me any useful info or are interested in buying them. Thanks! leesierre@yahoo.com
My Grandfather used to collect old 78 records. They are sitting in my mother’s basement. If anyone is interested in them please email me.
I have a number of 78’s that I got from a music teacher. They include the Metropolitan Orchestra performing the best loved Strauss Waltzes, plus the Victor Musical Smart Set of Favorite Love Songs, featuring Frank Munn, Tenor with Orchestra. Any interest in them? What might they be worth? Thanks.
I have various Victor and Columbia sets of 78’s that were my parents. Beethoven, Mozart, etc. Is there any value? Anyone interested?
Hello,
I have a collection of Japanese 78s that are made in Japan under a variety
of labels such as Columbia,Victor, King, Teitiku, Angel,Regal and Miyagi.
Are these familiar to you and if so would you point me in a direction where I might find more facts about this niche.
Thank you for your time!
Jay
i have 1 His Masters Voice 78 of “THE RIVER OF NO RETURN” & “I’M GONNA FILE MY CLAIM” by Marilyn Monroe. Intersted?
Dear Mr. Weil:
I read the Coach Eckler comments and I think Im in a similar situation.
I inherited my father’s Italian opera record collection. It also contained
my grandfather’s collection. Thus, I dont have a free second anymore to
do anything but focus on the 1000’s of 78’s 33’s 45’s cassttes, and cd’s.
The same stuff on the 78’s follows through up to today. OVERWHELMED is an understatement. I am having trouble going in circles to find a good option.
I have real good stuff from the turn of Century. Is there a reputable
person that would help me sell them. ( I also have guilt & may want to keep
them but where as many are in mint plus you can follow along w the librettos? Thank you, for reading my note.
Jim
I am a portuguese collector looking for 78s of portuguese singers that have recorded in USA. There names have been listed in Spotswood Book. If someone have records and want to sell them, please contac me at info@tradisom.com.
I am working in a ptoject which aims is to study those singers and give the opportunity to the new generations to listen their voices.
I´ll be very gld if I can find records from names like Maurizio Bensaude, Manuel J. Carvalho, Alice Pancada and many others. I can send a complete list of the names for anybody that gets in touch with me.