SHELLAC 78 rpm RECORDS: The ground-breaking medium of shellac 78 rpm records contains a unique treasury of recorded music laid down by pioneer recording artists that today's aficionados strive to save from oblivion.  By the early 1900's this recorded music was, for the first time, available to the general public.  Being able to listen to music performed by popular artists in your own living-room was a social game-changer - sheet-music and upright pianos became superfluous.

Early shellac recording and pressing techniques did not reproduce the sound quality to which we are now accustomed.  This, together with the impact of the primitive gramophone equipment used to play these records resulted in what we hear when we play these surviving records today.  Advancements were made over the decades; the sound quality of Shellac 78's improved as did the record-playing equipment.

During the 1950's and 60's the introduction of vinyl records with their Hi-Fi capability soon saw-off the commercial production of this once-innovatory medium.

CATEGORISING SHELLAC RECORDS "The devil is in the detail".

Grading used records is a complex and subjective process.  I work on the principle that sound quality is first and foremost - if a record has not been test played by the seller the buyer does not know what to expect - my aim is to avoid the disappointment of customers receiving a record that may look 'perfect' but still has sound quality defects that have not been identified or described.

PHYSICAL GRADING CATEGORIES (for shellac records).

Grading categories defined here apply to a visual inspection process which establishes the physical condition of each listed record.

Please Note: The occurrence of all possible defects described in any Category requires an item to be downgraded.

MINT: (M) A mint shellac record is 'as-new'.  This is a grading that I have not yet experienced nor do I ever expect to.

NEAR MINT: (NM) No visible scuffs, scratches or blemishes - any imperfections are always described in detail.  Groove surface is very bright and shiny.  There is no buckling.  The labels are clean, fresh and undamaged.  There may be some evidence of only light play activity.  Records are never graded NM if the test-play reveals any abnormal sound defect.

EXCELLENT PLUS: (EX+) The Playing Surface is very bright and shiny with no, or very few, imperfections -  some surface blemishes may be evident but only one or two very light superficial scratches and little or no light scuff marks. There may be a tiny hint of buckling.  The Labels are clean and undamaged, they may show only a little evidence of light play activity. Abnormal condition and sound defects are fully described.

EXCELLENT: (EX) Groove surface is bright and shiny. There may be some blemishes, superficial scuffs and scratches all of which are described in them Condition Description given in the listing. There may be some slight buckling. The labels are in good order but may have some marks and show evidence of moderate play activity.

VERY GOOD PLUS: (VG+) There may be several light scuffs, scratches and blemishes one or two of which may appear as more than superficial.  Groove surface has a good sheen.  There may be some moderate buckling.  The labels are in-tact and readable but may be marked and show evidence of considerable play activity

VERY GOOD: (VG) There may be many visible scuffs, scratches and blemishes several of which may be pronounced. Groove surface may have lost its sheen.  May show pronounced buckling. The labels may be damaged and there is evidence of extensive play activity.

GOOD: (G) There may be extensive scuffs, scratches and blemishes, some of which may be significant.  The groove surface may appear dull.  May show extensive buckling.  The labels may be damaged and will show evidence of extensive play activity.

TEST PLAY allows a full description of ALL attributes and defects relating to the record's sound quality.  Go to the Condition Description of the listing where a detailed description of the SOUND QUALITY is given..

PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible to predict the impact on sound quality caused by visible scuffs and scratches using only a physical inspection.  Defects such as recording and manufacturing defects and background noise/crackling are identified by my test-play activity which is carried out for each and every listing; results are detailed in the item's Condition Description.

CONDITION/SOUND DEFECT DEFINITIONS.

SKIP: the groove is damaged and the stylus jumps to an adjacent groove causing a skip in the continuity of the sound

CLICK: an audible 'clicking or popping sound' often caused by damage to the groove from scratching

CRACKLE: unwanted, and sometimes unacceptable audible background crackling in the sound reproduction.  It may be caused by permanent damage to the groove from repeated play whilst in a dirty (or dusty) condition or play activity on inferior or damaged equipment.

DISTORTION: a loss of sound clarity and definition which may originate in the manufacturers pressing or an imperfect sound recording.  It may also be caused by some foreign matter which cannot be removed by cleaning.

BLEMISH: Blemishes on the playing surface are common, this is an isolated dull area on an otherwise clean and bright surface.  It is uncommon for this to have a significantly detrimental impact on sound quality.

SCUFF: Usually a result of careless handling or excessive usage.

PACKAGING.

The adoption of robust packaging techniques is essential for acceptable shipping - I have developed a method using a double corrugated cardboard which is used in the construction of a rigid box. The Shellac is housed inside the box and protected with large-bubble wrapping. You may buy my records with complete confidence - so far, my sales performance has achieved a perfect feedback rat