78 rpm Record Labels

78 rpm Record Labels and Companies

As my hobby in phonographs grew so did my collection of 78 rpm records that went along with it. I then became fascinated by the number of record companies and labels that sprang up to meet the need for recorded music as well as the history of the labels. The links below will show you the labels I have in my collection in alphabetical order. These are primarily U.S. labels with a few international ones mixed in as they end up in my collection. None of these records are for sale. They are simply there for research and/or your viewing pleasure. However, if you are looking for something in particular please ask as I do have quite a few duplicates and others that do not suit my musical tastes. I have started to write information about each label but have a long way to go. I can add the labels faster than I can research them at this point. If you have any questions, general comments, find errors or have records for sale please feel free to write to me at info@majesticrecord.com

Labels compiled from the collection of Glenn Longwell
Last updated: January 16, 2011

Contact: info@majesticrecord.com

Note: For children's record labels I typically only include one for each style even though, in some cases, every record will have a different picture or color scheme. For Vogue picture records I have posted both sides of whatever I have as these records are great. All others I post one example of every different label design in my collection, even some with very subtle differences in wording or design.

Thanks to those that have offered label images for my site. However, for the moment, this is intended to be only labels from my own collection of records. I may, at some point in the future, open this up to be an on-line label gallery for all 78 rpm labels if I decide to spend the time on such a large task.

There are numerous books on the subject of records and record labels. Many are out of print but not all. The list below are the references I've used for my site, beyond my own research and some internet searching. There are numerous other books I have yet to obtain. Regarding the internet, a great resource for dating 78s from the 1940s and 50s is the online Google Books of Billboard magazine.

References:

Sutton, Alan & Kurt Nauck. American Record Labels and Companies An Encyclopedia (1891-1943). Denver, CO: Mainspring Press, 2000.

Sherman, Mike & Kurt Nauck. Note the Notes An Illustrated History of the Columbia Record Label 1901-1958. New Orleans, LA: Monarch Record Enterprises, 1998.

Sherman, Michael W. The Paper Dog An Illustrated Guide to 78 R.P.M. Victor Record Labels 1900-1958. A.P.M. Press, 1987.

Gart, Galen. The American Record Label Directory and Dating Guide, 1940-1959. Milford, NH: Big Nickel Productions, 1991.

Muldavin, Peter. The Complete Guide to Vintage Children's Records. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, 2007. Note: A big thank you to Peter for his generosity in supplying a number of childrens record labels that are on this site.

Docks, Les. American Premium Record Guide 1900-1965. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2001.

Wile, Raymond. Edison Diamond Disc Re-Creations Records & Artists 1910-1929. New York, APM Press, 1985.

Barr, Steven C. The Almost Complete 78 RPM Record Dating Guide (II). 1992.

Frow, George L. The Edison Disc Phonographs and the Diamond Discs. Kent, Great Britain. Flo-Print, 1982.

Wheeler, Geoffrey. Collectors Guide to Jazz on Bootleg & Reissue 78 R.P.M. Records 1932 to 1952. Ft. Wayne, IN, Hillbrook Press, 2009

Gennett Electrobeam record from 1927. Click on G to see more Gennetts and other G labels.

Lyric Record from Lyraphone Co. of America. Click on L to see more Lyrics and other L labels