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.

I have examined the visual documentation for the 'My Fun-To-Read Books' vinyl record of The Ugly Duckling (SS-25815-02B). Based on the yellow label design and the 33 1/3 RPM format on a 7-inch disc, I have identified this as an authentic mass-produced educational artifact from the late 1960s to early 1970s. The physical condition is poor to fair; the paper sleeve shows significant structural failure, including large tears, creasing, and severe atmospheric yellowing. While the vinyl playback surface is obscured, the sleeve's condition suggests it likely suffers from surface noise or light scratching consistent with heavy use in a home or classroom setting. Market demand for this specific series is niche, generally relegated to nostalgic collectors or 'completionists' of the John Doremus narration catalog. Comparable sales for mass-market children's records from this era in similar condition typically fall under the $10 threshold. The lack of the original accompanying book significantly diminishes the collectible value, as these were intended as sets. While the visual details align with known production standards, a definitive authentication would require a physical inspection to check for heat warping, examine the matrix run-out etchings, and verify the record's structural integrity. Provenance or original retail receipts would further solidify its history, but given the item's commonality, such documentation is rarely available.