Backplates on 78rpm Records

[@JazzCrazy]

Cool topic! That Zonophone cross design always reminds me of the design on the bottom of my Griswold cast iron skillet.

[@danielarick2105]

The Victor backplate was used by a collector repairman who made a clock out of a badly damaged record. I also found one some years ago they are interesting

[@Cont0rt]

Being from New Zealand, seeing all of the American labels are really interesting. I personally wish I lived there since the labels look 1000 times better. 78s here, especially those from the 1950s, fade like hell over time to the point where you can only make out the label design, if that.

[@harryblack5041]

I recently picked up a British 78 by Phyllis Mae on English Columbia. Can't find out too much about it, as its a one sided not for sale test record, with an SWT prefix. However, the flip has a sweet backplate showing the Columbia Records/ Magic Tones logo, with the two musical notes etched in either side. I also like the Gramophone company Angel etchers. Be nice to see these painted or colourised. Best. Hari

[@gennettor8915]

That last disc is "reverse" because that side it is not pressed from a stamper but (probably by mistake) from a "mother".

[@juliomendez8472]

The most common one sided I guess is the Classical 12" by RCA with a back squared label with the description of the music on the disc.

[@gennettor8915]

I'd like to add test pressings that have a groove on the back which plays a number of electronically produced tones with increasing frequency.

[@benajamalbert3313]

On ein groove, couse spiraarly 39s album sets, a backplate was the last side if selection used odd number of side. On automatic format albums it would have lead-course spiral & trip groove. Later on a music selection put on odd side. A few acoustic one side operatic red seals have a paper backplate giving translation of lyric,

[@MrRom92DAW]

I love the depth and texture of these really old school 78 backplate designs - etched sides on modern vinyl pressings just don’t compare. I inquired around a bit, but it seems nobody (at least whom I could reach) knows how these were originally made. My best guess is that they had an artist very skilled with small hand sculpting tools go wild on an otherwise typical wax blank. I would love to see something like these made again!

[@thunderstorm_band]

Neat one I’ve found was a 12” Victor record with a backplate. Didn’t buy it but if it’s still in the store I will!

[@DaveTexas]

I only have one single-sided record from the early 20th century, but sadly it only has a tiny label on the otherwise perfectly smooth backside. It’s a recording of the Pilgrim’s Chorus from Tannhäuser, which I believe was from 1902. For the life of me, I can’t remember the label - chronic-fatigue-related brain fog sucks. This record is the oldest in my collection, predating even all of my cylinders. I wish I’d known 40 years ago when I was collecting such things to be on the lookout for single-sided records with interesting patterns on the back. I was looking more for specific content than records that were visually interesting…

[@tirewarrior]

I have a question: What's the best way to clean the LABELS on a 78 rpm record? How do I remove powdery mildew, dust and debris without wrecking the label itself?

[@MarkAtnip]

CAREFULLY! lol It is actually highly dependent on the label itself. For instance, Edison labels (the paper ones) are quite durable and can be wiped down with a fairly damp cloth. 20's and 30's Victor and Columbia can be wiped with a lightly damp cloth if you dry them quickly. (if not, a texture will develop on the surface of the label) Later discs are hit and miss. Red label Columbias can be wiped down; HOWEVER... the white DJ versions of the same records will not only be damaged by more than the lightest amount of moisture, but wiping the label will get white pigment into the grooves, which shouldn't be there and looks terrible! If you have a label that is OK to get slightly damp that is REALLY dirty, try some naptha (lighter fluid). It does a much more aggressive cleaning and it dries in seconds, making it safe for many labels. If you don't know whether it can be cleaned, it's best to start with a disc of the same type you don't care as much about. There are even some pre-war discs that were printed with water-soluble ink, which will be immediately ruined if they get wet. If you have specific labels you are curious about, feel free to ask and we will see if I (or another viewer) has the answer for you.

[@tirewarrior]

@@MarkAtnip Thanks! I'll keep that in mind 👊

[@BensPhonographs07]

I have what i think is an rca test pressing. Its a 10'' disc, and has the spiderweb pattern. the song is called "bluebird of happiness" that's all it says on the small white label. It somewhat resembles the rca discs you were showing. The material and sound of it makes me think that its from the thirties. Do you think its a test pressing? Or not? Thanks, Ben

[@MarkAtnip]

Greetings, Ben! Does the disc have any numbers etched in the area around the label (aka the "run-out" or "dead wax" area)?

[@BensPhonographs07]

@@MarkAtnip The disc has no numbers whatsoever. It does have three covered up holes that might have been for a lathe or something?

[@MarkAtnip]

Is it shellac, vinyl or metal-based lacquer? Could it possibly be John Charles Thomas performing that song, which was released on Victor 2160?

[@BensPhonographs07]

@@MarkAtnip It is definitely shellac, it has the weight and theres no metal underneath. I'll check on that.

[@BensPhonographs07]

@@MarkAtnip I don't think its Thomas' version.

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

the back plate story doesn't end with 78s singles and eps were also sometimes decorated when they were one-sided in the 1960s the more underground the fancier the backplates some were even scribed/drawn in the wax of the master by R Crumb. the emerging house scene in the late 1980s early1990s had many illegal discs made a lot only single-sided some had the autograph of the DJ others were graphic masterpieces and, a true rabbit hole worth diving into

[@MarkAtnip]

Thanks for the info! Not being a post-war collector, I was unaware of this. If anyone has a photo or two, feel free to post them!

[@fireballninja01]

wonderful video, thank you!

[@stanleycostello9610]

The "Gramophone" disc has an angel logo. I looked it up and they first started using it in 1898. In 1953 Dorle Soria founded Angel Records which has the same logo. Could anybody tell me about this?

[@Sandelec-gm2cl]

Hi..I have the gramophone record pressed on a single side. The label is the "his master's voice. Do you know if It has worth..? I would sell it.. Thanks.✌🏻

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

I personally care more about the music than the artwork.

[@tinovanderzwanphonocave544]

the same in super rare cases go for cylinders as well I found doodles on the still blank part of a short recording on a full blank, a cylinder with everyone shouting Happy New Year the rest were autographs of everybody shouting it was recorded at Oxford 1901 there is a super rare 1903 Columbia long-size cylinder with the short recording of Ave Maria recorded by Pope Leo XIII the rest was covered with paper with catholic iconography with the face of Pope Leo XIII in one spot.

[@johnwilde5518]

Hi I have an MGM early test pressing of Tarzans Yell with Victor backplate, I’m trying to put a year to it, can you help me with this, it has Loew’s State Copy on the label if that helps? Look forward to hearing from you. Kind Regards Johnny

[@jayantmukherjee7912]

What is market value of these back plate records Can any one give any idea

[@thunderstorm_band]

Hello I am wondering if you know anything about this RARE person on 78rpm the only thing I know is that his records went from 1931 - 1932 and his name is Harry Chrysler I have 1 record of his and it’s on a Black Shellac Perfect record. I have the only one known the exist. Black shellac Perfect records are common but this one by him is interesting. The rest are the Orangy brown Shellac. The songs on mine are “Walkin my baby back home” and the B side “Please don’t talk about me when I’m gone”. Pls do a video of this guy but. there’s no info about him and no pictures of him either he’s a Pipe Organ player.

[@MarkAtnip]

Greetings! I don't know much about Chrysler. I am guessing that the rarest of his discs is the translucent flexible disc on the Filmophone label (British) which has the same two sides. While many records from the depression era are scarce, organ solos have a limited following and a (generally) fairly inexpensive, which is great for collectors of organ music! I don't know what kind of condition your copy is in, but if it is really rough and worn and you need an upgrade, there is a copy on discogs for $13 including shipping! Thanks for bringing this organist to my attention. I am going to do some searching to see if I have any of his other discs. (I don't have the Perfect disc... I already checked : )

[@thunderstorm_band]

@@MarkAtnipthe condition is ok ish. It’s worn a bit and there’s a crack in it but if plays just fine.

[@thunderstorm_band]

@@MarkAtnipI wish you luck on info because I’ve searched everywhere. There’s just no info about him.

[@tedlawrence4189]

Actually there were never any one sided 78's ever made. All of them had 2 sides. Some were single faced. One side was recorded, and the other side was blank or had a label or design, on the unrecorded side. All 78's were recorded using direct to disc process until about 1953. Starting then tape recorders were used.

[@Tadfafty]

🙄

[@tedlawrence4189]

😐

[@Tadfafty]

@@tedlawrence4189 So, you mean, a Single Side was Record-ed.

[@tedlawrence4189]

Yes. All records have 2 sides. Some recorded on one side & some both sides.

[@Tadfafty]

@@tedlawrence4189 "Well, no, you are wrong, all records have four sides as there is the edge and the border of the spindle hole."

[@markgranrtz5359]

I'm sorry but enough with the edits every few seconds!