Decca Records 78 RPM shellac record by The Ink Spots (not authenticated)

This is a vintage 78 RPM shellac phonograph record housed in a standard, plain tan paper inner sleeve. The record features a black label with gold lettering, characteristic of the Decca Personality Series. The central label displays prominent branding reading 'DECCA PERSONALITY SERIES' at the top, along with manufacturing details indicating it was manufactured by Decca Records, Inc., New York, U.S.A. Visible text on the label specifies the track title 'JAVA JIVE' credited to Ben Oakland and Milton Drake, performed by the artist 'INK SPOTS'. Additional markings on the label include 'Vocal With Instrumental Accompaniment', the catalog number '23633 B', matrix number '(67931)', and 'Album No. A-477 4 Sides-4'. The record appears to be made of traditional black shellac material with standard concentric groove patterns and a centered spindle hole. The paper sleeve exhibits moderate age-related toning, edge wear, creases, and some light discoloration, consistent with mid-20th-century storage. The physical condition of the vinyl/shellac disc itself is partially obscured by the sleeve, showing only the center label clearly. The identification of the artist, title, and label is based directly on the clearly legible printed text visible on the record label. The item appears stylistically consistent with popular American 78 RPM shellac releases from the 1940s era, though this temporal and manufacturing context remains unverified without professional physical inspection.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this item appears to be a vintage 78 RPM shellac record featuring a Decca Personality Series label with the track 'Java Jive' performed by the Ink Spots. I cannot verify the physical condition of the playing surfaces, the absence of deep scratches, or the actual sound quality from a photo alone, and the item would need physical inspection to confirm its overall preservation state. Assuming the identification based on the visible label text is correct, the estimated value range for a common 78 RPM record of this type typically spans $15 to $30, heavily influenced by whether the shellac is free from cracks or severe wear. General market demand for mid-20th-century pop and vocal group 78s is generally modest among niche collectors, keeping prices accessible. To fully evaluate the item, an in-person examination by a media specialist or expert appraiser is needed to check the run-out grooves, matrix numbers, and vinyl/shellac integrity. If this piece turns out to be a modern reproduction, replica, or otherwise not from the period indicated by the markings, the value would be negligible, likely limited to a few dollars as a novelty decorative item.