Speaking of Antiquing – April 2020

I want to call your attention to one of the most overlooked items in the shop…record albums.

Hidden away in large photo album-like binders you’ll discover some amazing music. These records are 78 RPMs and come in large photo binders that hold 10-12 records and weigh 12 lbs. The records can be so random that no one remembers or knows who the musicians are and that’s where the fun begins.

Classical music was introduced into the homes of millions on Victrola and thick Edison discs made of celluloid and rubber-based compounds. Celluloid gave way to shellac, and the size of the record fluctuated. The 10” record, known as a plate, was fragile and broke easily.

People revered their collections because as it was then, and is now, it was the background music of their lives. Records were a luxury item during the Depression in America. Classical music is gentle and soothing to the soul. Listening to lovely waltzes, symphonies, or operas took one out of their doldrums and transported their souls. Some songs were just fun, such as “Jeepers Creepers” and “Three Little Fishies.” School children were encouraged to learn music from listening to the likes of the Philadelphia Orchestra or The Boston Pops.

People of the greatest generation will certainly know who Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey are. Not to mention Glen Miller, Artie Shaw, or Kate Smith. Big Band classics from Woody Herman, Kay Kaiser, or Mitchel Ayers filled the air and set one’s feet to jumping.

Many of the songs of the pre-WWII era came with their own dances, such as the Jitterbug, The Fox Trot, The Charleston, the Lindy Hop, The Lindy, Polka, Cakewalk, and so many more. Many dances were regional and not nationwide. Large bands, combos, quartets, and the like were sometimes comprised of college students playing at a local high school or traveling to larger towns for dances.

Several bands came to fame by traveling the country, making records and radio broadcasts. Records sold by the millions. “Cutting a rug,” a synonym for swing dancing, was made popular by folks dancing to the radio or their records on the living room rug.

With the resurgence of the phonograph, collecting and playing vinyl is popular again. There is no reason why you shouldn’t pick up some of these old gems and (re)discover some great music. You won’t have to buy the whole album lot; we sell records individually for practically nothing. I have done some research and some of the records can fetch a good amount on the auction sites. Come and explore, we are open every day.

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