Flowing River Record Appraisal

Victor Records 10-inch 78 RPM Shellac Disc - 'Flowing River'

This is a vintage 10-inch gramophone record featuring the 'His Master's Voice' Victor black and gold scroll label, consistent with the late 1920s to 1930s era. The disc is manufactured from shellac, a brittle resinous material precursor to modern vinyl, as evidenced by its thickness and characteristic high gloss. The center label identifies the track as 'Flowing River - Ken-Pa', performed by the Victor Orchestra. The catalog number 26295-B is clearly visible. The label retains vibrant gold typography and the iconic Nipper the dog logo. Physically, the record shows significant signs of age and wear; the playing surface exhibits numerous lateral scuffs, fine hairline scratches, and dust accumulation within the grooves, which likely impacts audio fidelity. There are visible white surface residues or possible mold spotting on parts of the disc. The outer lead-in groove area shows some dulling of the finish. The center hole appears intact with no significant cracking, though there is a small vertical scratch extending from the spindle area. This item represents a classic piece of early industrial audio recording technology, showcasing the transition period of mass-produced commercial music media.