Vienna Records 10" Shellac Record - Ich Hab' Ein Herz (I Have a Heart)

This is a vintage 10-inch shellac gramophone record, likely a 78 RPM, produced by Vienna Records Inc. The central label is finished in a teal green and cream color scheme, featuring the prominent 'Vienna' logo within a harp-shaped border and the 'Austria' lightning bolt emblem. The specific track listed on side A (Order No. 1053-A) is 'Ich Hab' Ein Herz' (I Have a Heart), a Song and Tango performed by Steffi Melz and the Wiener Tonkuenstler Orchestra, conducted by Hans Hagen. The record is housed in its original or contemporary light brown kraft paper inner sleeve, which shows significant handwritten inscriptions in pencil, including 'Die Blauen Matrosen' and 'Wir wollen uns wieder vertragen'. Construction appears to be standard thick shellac typical of the mid-20th century, approximately 1940s to 1950s. Condition-wise, the paper sleeve exhibits heavy wrinkling, creases, and edge tears. The record label shows minor center hole wear and some surface scuffing is visible through the sleeve opening. The craftsmanship is typical of high-quality Austrian-California collaboration pressings of the post-war era, intended for the ethnic music market in the United States.

Based on my visual examination of the Vienna Records Order No. 1053, I find it to be an authentic post-WWII shellac pressing, likely from the late 1940s. The teal and cream label displays the characteristic typography and 'Harp' logo associated with Vienna Records Inc., a label that specialized in bringing Austrian artistry to the North American market. The recording features Steffi Melz and the Wiener Tonkuenstler Orchestra, which appeals to niche collectors of European tango and cabaret-style music from the era. The condition appears to be 'Good' to 'Very Good' (G/VG) by Goldmine standards. While the shellac retains its luster, visible surface scuffs and minor center-hole wear suggest play-wear that likely results in audible surface noise. The heavily inscribed kraft sleeve, while original in period, is significantly distressed with tears and wrinkles, though the handwritten notes provide a layer of folk provenance that some collectors of ethnic music find charming. Market demand for 78 RPM shellac records outside of rare pre-war blues or early jazz is generally stable but modest. Similar Austrian-American pressings typically realize values in the double-digit range. This appraisal is based solely on high-resolution digital images. I cannot definitively verify the absence of hairline cracks, 'heat rash,' or groove crystallization without a physical inspection and playback test using a 3.0 mil stylus. To confirm this value, I would recommend a professional cleaning and a check for structural integrity under a magnifying light to ensure no micro-fractures are present.