Advice, please...

My aunt died recently and left me her house (which was built in the 1880s). There are about 1000 (maybe more) records. Some 78s from the early part of 1900 (Caruso and the like) and others from the 30s, 40s and 50s (Benny Goodman, etc) I also have two old phonographs. One of which is a portable -- it says "PAL Standard" inside and it has a hand crank! I would like to sell all these items, preferably to someone who is an aficinado. Any advice for me? I have no idea of how to proceed. Thank you for any help!

Most 78's by well-known artists on major lables (RCA, Columbia, Decca, Capitol, etc.) have little value, between $.25 to $1.00 per disc, so you would do best to sell those in large lots for local pickup on Craigslist or Ebay. If you have any records on independent jazz or R&B labels or some 50's rock 'n' roll 78's, they may be worth a lot more. If the phonographs are portables, you could sell them on Ebay as the shipping cost would not be prohibitive. Acoustic portables like the Pal, in good working condition, usually sell for around $50 on Ebay. Electric portables go for somewhat less.

I am looking for recordings of Caruso
una furtiva Lagrima
Pagliacci no! Pagliacci non son
78 rpm in any condition
email boardwalkempire1920@gmail.com
thanks

Most 78's are not that valuable as most are in average to below average condition. There is a gross misconception that just because they are old, they are priceless. Simply not true. The average 78 was played to death and slid together in stacks - grey looking in the grooves - played with steel needles. Most are only worth a dollar or less. I've seen places sell them by the pound at ridiculously low prices just to get rid of them.

You would be better off selling them as a lot - however - if you have the time and energy, make a complete list of them. Just like this one person answered you, many people are looking for certain records. You may be surprised at what can unload rather quickly. Most of us that have been collecting for 30 years or more don't want to buy a large collection for the same reason you don't want it. Where do you put them? They already have a large collection and have now narrowed their wants down to outside of the "common" record that was mass produced. They have a few specific records they are looking for and that's it. You may have some of those and you may be surprised at what they are willing to pay for it!

Only rare recordings that are in superior condition will sell at a high value. Some websites offer to buy complete collections. Check to see if you have a used record store in a near by large city. But also remember, YOU will have to be the one to take them there and they are so easily broken. If you find a used record store, take them about 100 of them at a time so it's not such a huge haul.

The problem with trying to sell them on Ebay is the weight. The shipping is astronomical and you have to pack those records very very well. Not something I would want to do for 1000 records. You can certainly list it that is strictly a pick up item only at your house but that will limit the buyers. There again, you will need a list to provide to buyers interested in the collection.

Record collectors are very picky about records and can be demanding on the condition of the records using trade terminology. There may be one record in that entire collection they have been looking for for 30 years and may buy the entire collection just for that one record. That's why it's important to have a complete list.