That's really fun! Let us know what your favorites are! ...assuming you can play them : )

Do you recommend the book? I prefer historical non-fiction and have done a lot of WWII reading.

@MarkAtnip absolutely! It is on audible if you use that to listen

Hello John! Can you share a photo of the label (with matrix number) to [email protected]? There was a Tarzan film for which Victor recorded the soundtrack elements in 1932. That would be my first guess, however there are several other options as well. If the disc is shellac, you should be able to play it on a modern turntable without fear of damage (although it won't sound great, it will at least let you know what is actually on the disc). If the disc is a metal based lacquer, hold off on playing it until we have more info. This should be fun!

Hello Tim! What are you looking for? If I can help you I certainly will. If I don't have an answer, I will ask Nauck next time I speak to him.

​@@MarkAtnip Thanks for your response, i'm looking for a specific radio transcription record of the Cocoanut Grove Ambassadors, series K Program 2A with Ted Fio Rito. I think it's unlikely that you would have it, but it's worth asking. And otherwise maybe Berliner 930Y/0572 "Miserere", Ferruccio Giannini Thanks!

Greetings, Eric! Were you referring to the matrix numbers that were etched or written into the area outside the label? Those are in the dead wax area and don't affect the playing of the recording. They were written into the original wax recordings to help the company keep track of recordings and takes. If there were etchings in the actual grooves, let me know on which record you are looking at and I will pull the record off the shelves and take a look at it.

Any collector of 78rpm discs would be interested in rare pressings. Do you have examples of any of the labels or music that's on them? Very rare pressings are... well... very rare, so having rare material is definitely of interest, however different types of music (Opera, Jazz, Vaudeville, Hillbilly, Classical) appeal to different collectors, so will will need an idea of what you have before we can forward your information/ records to the right people : )

Playing more than 15 seconds hit a copyright content match to the reissue. I can't play the original because someone reissued a copy, and the computer assumes that mine is copied from their copy. 😕

There are! In fact another one was found a couple of months ago. That means there are now four known copies within the collecting community. I believe John Tefteller ended up with that one. My guess would be that if every basement were emptied there were be around 10, but until they show up, there are four, as far as the collecting community is concerned. (In other words, there are only four "targets" for ultra-advanced collectors to try and put their hands on) PS... I am NOT an ultra-advanced collector. : )

Nice! The reason I know there's more is because The Howlin' Wolf's inspiration and teacher was Charley Patton, meaning he was at least somewhat popular.

It is at least a possibility. I haven't found enough info about those early promos to know for sure, but presumably all of those early promo discs would have a blank label area or early etched labels, as they weren't doing paper labels at that point.

Because the music was intended for adults. The reason people think they are for kids is because of the size of the disc and the fact they had the little kid on some of the labels. There ARE small kids records from that era (Cameo made some) but the content of those discs is clearly for kids. Little wonders are usually just shortened versions of regular Columbia releases are were marketed to grown-ups.

So they are 90 second previews of songs that normally adults would buy and are intended for the adult audience? And what about children,what if they like some discs that aren't exactly kids music?