Phonoland

My mother has a few 78's, Bing Crosby White Christmas, some by Glenn Miller, a few others. From what I've read other places so far, I think my mom is gonna be a bit disappointed as far as the value. Any info is appreciated, thanks.

Sorry for your mom, but neither Bing Crosby records of that period are of any substancial value, nor are most Glenn Millers. Discs like these sold in extremely large quantities and can still be found everywhere (and this means almost WORLDWIDE). Even here in my country (Austria), where the jazz and swing market never flourished as it did in USA, artists like Crosby and Miller are still easily available on 78rpm discs (flea markets, 2nd hand record stores or garage sales). This is especially true of Crosby on post-war Decca (Brunswick in Austria) and Miller on Bluebird / Victor (HMV in most places outside USA). Most well-remembered bands or pop singers of the swing and post-war era are of little collector's value, even on original 78s. However there are a few exceptions like the legendary Benny Goodman Pop Corn Man, to mention just one example.

Deb,

Sadly she is going to be disappointed if she thinks she's going to be rich. Bing's "White Christmas" in particular is one of the most popular/common records of all time. Most common Big Band and Pop stuff from the forties on up are worth about a buck each. There are ALWAYS exceptions and without knowing what records and what conditon no one can give you a proper appraisal.
If she has any Jazz, Classical and certain regional stuff-some of those can be worth more. What labels does she have? Mostly black Deccas, red Columbias, purple Capitals, black RCA Victors?

Regards,
J.

There was one period when records had increased value because they were old.

Records made before World War II had substantial value just after the war. That's because the World War II rationing required people to turn in an old (prewar) record to be able to buy a new one.

People turned in old records to buy the latest hits. And sadly, too many kids turned in records their parents loved.

After the war, the prewar records were worth a lot more than normal record values, as people strove to regain their prewar collections.

But postwar record reissues, and transfers of old recordings to LP actually depressed the values of prewar records, expecially classical albums. The multi-12'' disc albums of classical music are now worth less than their 1950s LP replacements are worth.

The records which are valuable are the ones which are rare. Some record producers either went out of business during the war, or were forced to turn in their old metal masters for the war effort. One company went bankrupt, and its masters were sold as scrap metal.

The result is that some lesser known recordings became extremely rare. There are some recordings which entirely disappeared - no remaining copies are known to exist.

Sorry to say, but I would tend to agree with your other replies. The 78s you mentioned are worth little or no money, unless you can find someone who specialises in collecting these particular artists.

Good luck

Gary