Columbia 78 RPM shellac record, artist Dorothy Shay (not authenticated)

This physical item is a traditional 78 RPM shellac phonograph record housed inside a vintage paper sleeve. The record features a vibrant red paper center label with prominent white and black typography identifying the record company as Columbia. The visible text on the circular red label includes the catalog number '37189', matrix number 'HCO 1975', set number 'C 119-2', and the track title 'SAY THAT WE'RE SWEETHEARTS AGAIN' performed by Dorothy Shay, 'The Park Avenue Hillbilly', with orchestral direction by Mischa Russell. The record is composed of a rigid, dark, glossy shellac compound typical of mid-20th-century pressing standards. The paper sleeve is a tan, neutral-pH style archival envelope featuring a curved thumb-cut opening at the top, showing clear signs of age-related yellowing, edge toning, and minor wear. The attribution in the name rests on the clearly legible printed text and trademark logo visible on the center paper label. The overall presentation is consistent with mid-20th-century popular music recordings, estimated roughly to the 1940s based on the style of the Columbia label and matrix fonts. Condition appears to show light surface dust and normal storage patina, though microscopic play wear and audio fidelity remain unassessed.

Based on what I can see in the provided images, this item is a 78 RPM shellac record featuring a Columbia red center label with typography indicating Dorothy Shay performing 'Say That We're Sweethearts Again,' housed in a vintage paper sleeve. I cannot verify the audio fidelity, groove wear, or exact pressing run from a photo alone, and physical inspection would be needed to assess the microscopic condition of the shellac surface. My appraisal value assumes the attribution on the label is correct as printed. In the general market, common mid-century 78 RPM records of popular artists like Dorothy Shay typically trade in modest ranges, as they were produced in substantial quantities and are widely available. Demand is generally driven by niche collectors of 1940s pop culture or specific vocalists, but overall liquidity for such records is relatively low. To fully evaluate and confirm the item's condition and pressing details, an in-person physical examination would be necessary, along with checking specific matrix runout etchings. If this item were to turn out to be a modern replica, or if the attribution to the stated recording turns out to be a misinterpretation of a different pressing, the value would be strictly nominal, likely reduced to a few dollars or valued solely as generic decor.