Capitol Shellac 78 RPM Record by Jo Stafford (not authenticated)

The item is a vintage 10-inch shellac 78 RPM phonograph record housed in a plain, light-colored paper inner sleeve with a curved thumb-cut top edge. The record features a black paper label with silver and white printed typography, centered around the iconic Capitol Records dome logo at the left. The text on the label is clearly legible and reads as follows: 'Capitol' at the top left, with '(1267)' beneath it; 'Vocal With Orchestra' to the right; 'SONATA' (Alstone-Drake-Shirl) as the song title; 'JO STAFFORD' as the artist; 'With Orchestra Conducted By Carlyle Hall' as accompanying personnel; and '337' as the record number. The outer rim of the label contains legal text regarding manufacturing and use limitations. The vinyl or shellac disc itself is black and opaque, showing standard circular grooves characteristic of mid-20th-century shellac pressings. Visible condition issues include expected surface dust, light scuffs, and age-related yellowing and toning on the paper sleeve, which exhibits slight creasing along the edges. The identification of this piece as a Capitol 78 RPM release rests on the prominent branding and text printed directly on the center label. The style period is consistent with the mid-1940s to 1950s era of popular music recordings, featuring typical materials and label designs of the period.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this item appears to be a vintage 10-inch shellac 78 RPM record bearing labels for Capitol Records, featuring the song 'Sonata' attributed to Jo Stafford with orchestra conducted by Carlyle Hall, accompanied by a plain paper inner sleeve. I cannot verify from a photo alone the actual playability, exact pressing year, matrix runout numbers, or the structural integrity of the shellac material. Physical inspection would be needed to confirm the absence of deep scratches, cracks, or excessive groove wear that heavily impact playability. The estimated value range of $10 to $30 assumes that the record matches the visual attribution and remains in acceptable, playable condition with moderate surface wear. Shellac records of this era and genre generally see modest demand among niche collectors, though common pop vocals from the 1940s and 1950s are widely available in the secondary market, keeping prices relatively accessible. To fully evaluate or establish value, an in-person examination by a media specialist would be necessary to assess audio quality and label variants. If this item were determined to be a modern reproduction, fantasy pressing, or heavily damaged copy, the market value would drop to nominal or zero dollars.