Columbia Viva-tonal Recording 78 RPM shellac record (not authenticated)

This physical item is a vintage standard-groove 78 RPM phonograph record, presented on a black shellac pressing typical of the early-to-mid 20th century. The record features a centered circular paper label in black with metallic gold lettering and graphics, bearing the prominent 'Columbia' script logo at the upper center, alongside the 'Viva-tonal Recording' and 'ELECTRICAL PROCESS' branding marks. Text visible on the label includes the song title 'IMAGINE (Imaginate)', the genre designation 'Fox Trot', credit to 'Vocal refrain by Will Osborne', artist credit 'WILL OSBORNE & HIS ORCHESTRA', catalogue number '2128-D', matrix number '(149978)', and peripheral rim text indicating 'MADE AND PAT'D IN U.S.A. ... COLUMBIA PHONOGRAPH COMPANY INC. NEW YORK, U. S. A.' The vinyl-like shellac disc displays a glossy black surface with subtle concentric grooves and minor surface dust, consistent with age and storage wear. There are no immediately obvious deep scratches or structural cracks visible from the overhead angle, though microscopic wear and minor scuffs cannot be ruled out without closer physical inspection. The aesthetic and typograhic layout are consistent with historical Columbia releases from the late 1920s to the 1930s. The identification of the label, artist, and manufacturer rests strictly on the legible printed text and logos directly visible on the center paper label. No independent authentication of the specific pressing's originality or condition has been performed.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this item appears to be a vintage Columbia 78 RPM shellac record featuring Will Osborne and His Orchestra, bearing catalogue number 2128-D. The central paper label displays typography and logos consistent with historical releases from that era, but I cannot verify from a photo alone whether this is a period-correct pressing or its precise structural condition. The value estimate provided assumes that the labeling is accurate and that the shellac disc is free from deep scratches, cracks, or severe groove wear upon physical handling. Standard 78 RPM records by popular dance bands of the late 1920s and 1930s generally occupy a modest niche in the collector market, with common titles typically selling within the $15 to $30 range depending heavily on surface preservation and playability. Demand for era-specific jazz and fox trot recordings exists primarily among specialized genre enthusiasts, though values fluctuate based on scarcity and local market interest. To determine the actual condition and confirm the nature of the pressing, a physical inspection by a media expert would be necessary. If this item were to turn out to be a modern reproduction, replica, or later commemorative copy rather than a period-appropriate release, the value would be negligible, likely reduced to a few dollars as a novelty decorative piece.