Customer Reviews

Collector's Guide to Victor Records

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an absolute must for any record collector with an interest in Victor records. Though small in size, no space is wasted and no expense spared to give the Victor aficionado clear and precise photographs - many in color, to illustrate the various label types. This enables any collector, from the neophyte to the more knowledgeable, to place a reasonable issue date on the record he has in his hand - not merely when it was recorded.

Charts and graphs included provide, as accurately as currently possible, chronological placement of various records according to size, price class, and label type. The book places a large emphasis on the Red Seal (celebrity classical) label type, but the popular categories are not overlooked. The text is clear, concise, and quite readable, especially when one considers the huge amount of numerical information presented.

A most interesting feature is a central section featuring Victor's most "important" classical artists of the period, taking the opportunity to use tenor Enrico Caruso (arguably Victor's greatest-ever recording artist) as an example to show every label variety presented. Since his recordings have been readily available in virtually every recording format since 1902, this is a most appropriate example. A useful annotated bibliography concludes the book.

In conclusion, no serious collector of 78-rpm records should be without this book. It has already reached somewhat of a cult status and deserves it, and your purchase of this book will ensure that Sherman, Moran, and Nauck continue the excellent research they have done in the field of vintage recordings. If you don't buy it here, buy it somewhere!