Unless your collection is static, (that is you're not acquiring any more records), it is pointless to try to shelve them in any organized fashion. Most 78s have one or more artists, usually at least two titles, generally as many composers as titles so sorting by any one of these criteria is going to leave the other two hopelessly buried. Quite often you'll see 78s, particularly older ones, with two entirely different records coupled - I've seen 78s with Guy Lombardo on one side and Bunny Berrigan on the other, or older records with two originally one sided records coupled. The only logical way to shelve 78s, (or any other collection - LPs, tapes, etc.), is to do so randomly, number them as you acquire them and then use a data base to keep them organized. All record libraries in my experience operate in this fashion, except that they may be shelved by very loose categories - classical/popular, etc.
Hope this helps!
db
>________________________________
> From: Tom Fine <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 5:25:15 PM
>Subject: [ARSCLIST] 78 RPM storage
>
>Thanks in advance to any well-organized collectors or archivists who wish to share their wisdom.
>
>I'm curious -- what's your method for storing 78RPM records, allowing easy access and also knowing what record is stored where? Right now I'm using 12x12 milk crates turned on their sides, on shelves. I have the 78s in new-issue white sleeves and have them in catalog number order, each label separated by a 12x12 piece of cardboard. This is not ideal if I want to pick a bunch of records and have a listening session, or play a variety of music for research or entertainment. Because 78's are
fragile, one has to be careful when more than a few records are removed from any milk crate, and under this system I need to keep a written record of what is which crate (a PITA to keep up to date). Is there a better way?
>
>Experiences and wisdom much appreciated!
>
>-- Tom Fine
>
>
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