10 Inch Record Appraisal

Vienna Records 10" Shellac Record - Ich Hab' Ein Herz (I Have a Heart)

This is a vintage 10-inch shellac gramophone record, likely a 78 RPM, produced by Vienna Records Inc. The central label is finished in a teal green and cream color scheme, featuring the prominent 'Vienna' logo within a harp-shaped border and the 'Austria' lightning bolt emblem. The specific track listed on side A (Order No. 1053-A) is 'Ich Hab' Ein Herz' (I Have a Heart), a Song and Tango performed by Steffi Melz and the Wiener Tonkuenstler Orchestra, conducted by Hans Hagen. The record is housed in its original or contemporary light brown kraft paper inner sleeve, which shows significant handwritten inscriptions in pencil, including 'Die Blauen Matrosen' and 'Wir wollen uns wieder vertragen'. Construction appears to be standard thick shellac typical of the mid-20th century, approximately 1940s to 1950s. Condition-wise, the paper sleeve exhibits heavy wrinkling, creases, and edge tears. The record label shows minor center hole wear and some surface scuffing is visible through the sleeve opening. The craftsmanship is typical of high-quality Austrian-California collaboration pressings of the post-war era, intended for the ethnic music market in the United States.