Jazz History - Rare Labels

Many readers have written and asked why one record might be more valuable than another by the same artist or why a particular label has more value than another. There are many reasons which center around rarity, history, accessibility, artistry and in some cases, popularity; although some of the lesser known artists can command the greatest prices.

Here is an excerpt of an article from "The Guide To Music & Memorabilia" by John Tefteller, who has been selling records professionally since 1977:

"Pre-WWII blues 78s are much more valuable than postwar releases. The reason is that the manufacturing rate for the prewar is so much lower than postwar recordings. Distribution for prewar blues in the 1920 and early '30s, at the height of the Depression, was very limited. Record companies made these 78s in very small quantities, knowing the state of the economy and how little money the potential audience had"

78 rpm labels to look for include Paramount, Columbia, Autograph, Okeh, Vocalion, Brunswick, Bluebird, Champion and Victor.