Handling of discs

By Roger Beardsley

Shellac, 78rpm

First and foremost, remember that 78 rpm shellac discs are BREAKABLE!! One slip, and a possibly unique copy is lost forever.

REMOVAL FROM STORAGE BAY and GENERAL HANDLING

1. Pull out singly from the shelf. Lay one on top of the other on a flat surface up to a maximum of 20 in a stack. Do not mix record sizes.
2. Never touch the groove surface, and never place an un-sleeved disc on top of another.
3. Remove from cover, by inserting fingers to the underside, palm upwards, hand slightly cupped, until the centre (label) section of the record is located. Balance between finger tips and inner palm, and remove carefully.
4. Hold record between both palms.
5. Always replace in sleeve or envelope.
6. Loose or unprotected horizontal stacking is not recommended other than in the short term – i.e. when getting a quantity from the shelves. Place flat in a secure box or tray as soon as possible.

PACKING GENERAL

1. When packing for transit, do not mix record sizes, either in the stack or even in the box. Do not pack shellac 78s with vinyl (LP) or acetates.
2. Do not put more than 15 discs in one box, or 10 if shipping.
3. NEVER pack just one or even two/three records alone. Remember the principle of the sticks – one on its own you can easily snap, a few together you cannot. If you need to pack up to three records, use the specially made ‘sandwiches’ of scrap records that have been made up for the purpose.
4. Always use special boxes and card squares for packing.
5. The essence of safe packing is the ‘sandwich’ consisting of a minimum of 3 corrugated card squares on the top and on the bottom of the stack. Parcel tape in criss-cross fashion should be used to secure.
6. Always send out in white card sleeves, not the original bag or envelope. They are not uniform in size, nor are they robust enough.
7. For 10 inch discs, you must use specially cut 10 inch card squares.
8. Acetates, or direct cut discs are especially vulnerable to any flexing, and you may lose playing surface if wrongly handled.

PACKING AND SENDING

1. Ensure you have all materials to hand – box, card squares, white sleeves, parcel tape, packing and labels.
2. Prepare white card sleeve by writing the record number on the sleeve, crossing out any old number.
3. Remove record from original bag and check for any damage, noting on sleeve where necessary. If a record is obviously warped, do not pack – it may well break when flattened.
4. Place in white card sleeve.
5. Keep original bags together for later storage until return of discs.
6. Lay out approximately 2 feet of parcel tape, adhesive side up. In the centre, lay 3 squares of corrugated card. Place records on this. Top off with another 3 squares of the card. Bring both ends of the tape over and secure tightly.
7. Repeat the taping process on the other axis. Ensure that the ‘sandwich’ is tight.
8. Line the bottom of a box with 3 layers of bubble-wrap.
9. Place ‘sandwich’ in box.
10. Pack sides with rolled bubble-wrap.
11. Place sufficient bubble-wrap on top to ensure that when lid is closed, the contents are tightly contained, but not stressed.
12. Place return address label on top.
13. Place copy of ‘Instructions for Receipt and Return of Records’ in box (see below).
14. Tape up box, label with contents and destination.
15. Arrange for dispatch

Although vinyl is in theory ‘unbreakable’, in practice it can shatter if stressed sufficiently. This applies especially to some early mono LPs.

REMOVAL FROM STORAGE BAY and GENERAL HANDLING

1. Pull out singly from the shelf. Lay one on top of the other on a flat surface up to a maximum of 20 in a stack. Do not mix record sizes.
2. Never touch groove surface, and never place an un-sleeved disc on top of another.
3. Remove from any inner sleeve, by inserting fingers to the underside, palm upwards, hand slightly cupped, until the centre (label) section of the record is located. Balance between finger tips and inner palm, and remove carefully.
4. Hold record between both palms.
5. Always replace in sleeve or envelope.
6. Loose or unprotected horizontal stacking is not recommended other than in the short term – i.e. when getting a quantity from the shelves. Place flat in a secure box or tray as soon as possible.

PACKING GENERAL

1. When packing for transit, do not mix record sizes, either in the stack or even in the box.
2. Do not put more than 15 discs in one box, 10 for shipping.
3. Always use the special boxes and card squares for packing.

PACKING AND SENDING

1. Ensure you have all materials to hand – box, card squares, parcel tape, packing and labels.
2. Line the bottom of a box with 3 layers of bubble-wrap followed by two corrugated card squares.
3. Check record for damage, noting if necessary.
4. Place records in box, followed by two corrugated card squares.
5. Pack sides with rolled bubble-wrap.
6. Place sufficient bubble-wrap on top to ensure that when lid is closed, the contents are tightly contained, but not stressed.
7. Place return address label on top.
8. Place copy of ‘Instructions for Receipt and Return of Records’ in box.
9. Tape up box, label with contents and destination.
10. Arrange for dispatch.

Always follow instructions supplied with records. These are:

1. First and foremost, remember that 78 rpm shellac discs are BREAKABLE!! One slip, and a possibly unique copy is lost forever. Vinyl LPs also must be handled with care – they can shatter or crack.
2. Open package with care on a flat surface.
3. Remove loose packing, folding carefully.
4. Cut tape securing the ‘sandwich’ of discs.
5. Remove discs.
6. Check off to list of contents on box, reporting any discrepancies or damage to the sender. Remember, records lost or damaged will be your responsibility until returned.
7. Store all packing box including return label, tape up and store carefully.

GENERAL

Always follow instructions supplied with records. These are:

1. When packing for transit, do not mix record sizes, either in the stack or even in the box.
2. Do not put more than 15 discs in one box, 10 if shipping.
3. NEVER pack just one or even two records alone. Remember the principle of the sticks – one on its own you can easily snap, a dozen together you cannot. If you need to pack one or two records, use the specially made ‘sandwiches’ of scrap records that have been made up for the purpose and which were supplied with consignment.
4. Always use the original box, card squares and packing.
5. For 78s, the essence of safe packing is the ‘sandwich’ consisting of a minimum of 3 (2 for LP) corrugated card squares on the top and on the bottom of the stack. Parcel tape in criss-cross fashion should be used to secure. For LPs, taping is unnecessary.
6. Always return in the white card sleeves supplied if 78s, ensuring that the record number on the sleeve coincides with that of the record.

These consist of: