Columbia 78 RPM shellac record, Claude Thornhill and his Orchestra (not authenticated)

This physical item is a vintage 10-inch 78 RPM shellac phonograph record housed in a generic light tan paper inner sleeve with a curved thumb-cut opening at the top. The visible record features a distinctive red paper center label with white and black typography. The label prominently displays the word 'COLUMBIA' at the top arch along with the CBS microphone and notes logo. Additional legible text on the center label includes 'SONATA', 'Fox Trot', 'Vocal Chorus by Buddy Hughes -Drake-Shirl-Alstone-', and 'CLAUDE THORNHILL and his Orchestra'. Further catalog and pressing text read '37219', '(CO 36992)', 'Mfrd. under U.S. Pat. No. 1,702,564 and Pat. Pending. Trade-Marks Reg. U.S. Pat. Off.-Marcas Registradas. Made in U.S.A.', and 'For perfect tone use Columbia Needles'. The black shellac disc shows standard concentric run-out grooves surrounding the central spindle hole, along with faint pressed matrix numbers visible in the dead wax area. The paper sleeve exhibits minor surface yellowing, light creasing, and edge wear consistent with age and storage, while the record itself displays typical surface dust and minor scuffs. The attribution in the item name rests entirely on the legible printed typography and branding visible on the red center label. This object is characteristic of mid-20th-century commercial sound recordings, though its exact release year, pressing plant origin, and current playability remain unverified.

Based on what I can see in the provided image, this is a vintage 10-inch 78 RPM shellac record attributed to Claude and his Orchestra on the Columbia red label, catalog number 37219. I cannot verify the actual playability, pressing quality, or audio fidelity from a photograph, and physical inspection would be needed to assess groove wear and surface scratches. The estimated value range reflects typical secondary market behavior for mid-20th-century shellac records of this genre assuming the printed label details are accurate. However, this estimate is contingent upon physical handling and evaluation, as unauthenticated or heavily worn shellac records typically sell for much less or hold only nominal value. Demand for big band and swing-era 78 RPM records is generally modest among niche collectors, with value heavily dependent on condition. To fully assess this piece, an in-person examination by a media archivist or record expert would be required to check for hidden cracks, deep scuffs, and exact pressing origins. If this item were to turn out to be a modern replica or a reproduction copy rather than a period pressing, its value would drop significantly to a nominal or decorative level.