Audiobook Vinyl Appraisal

My Fun-To-Read Books Vinyl Record: The Ugly Duckling

This item is a vintage 7-inch vinyl record designed for children, featuring the story 'The Ugly Duckling' as read by John Doremus. The record is set at a 33 1/3 RPM playback speed, which is somewhat unusual for this smaller format often associated with 45 RPM singles. It is part of the 'My Fun-To-Read Books' series, indicated by the yellow central label which features a black silhouette of a duck on water. The serial number SS-25815-02B is visible on the label. Physically, the record is enclosed in a square white paper sleeve that shows significant signs of age and wear. Notable condition issues include yellowing of the paper, several large tears along the top and side edges, and visible creasing and wrinkling across the surface. The vinyl itself is hidden by the sleeve but appears to be standard black wax based on the silhouette. This educational artifact likely dates from the late 1960s to the 1970s, a period when read-along book and record sets were highly popular in primary education and home learning. The craftsmanship is typical of mass-produced mid-century media, focusing on accessibility and clear narration for early readers.