# What to do with old records (mostly 78s) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 2, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993 "2010-05-02T01:35:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/1 "2010-05-02T01:35:55Z")
I have come into possession of a stash of old records. I don’t mind just donating the Reader’s Digest collections from the '70’s and similar items to Goodwill, but I would like the Victrola records to find a good home. Most of them are classical. I haven’t cataloged them or anything at this point. I was just wondering whether anyone here collects them. I would rather give them to some one who will love them than sell them on e-bay. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/2 "2010-05-02T01:39:18Z")
\*Just take those old records off the shelf I’ll sit and listen to 'em by myself Today’s music aln 't got the same soul I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll \* Somebody had to do it ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/3 "2010-05-02T02:12:53Z")
I picked up a bunch of old-time 78s at a farm auction, for $15 (a paper box full). After picking out the 20 or so I thought my grandma would enjoy, I freecycled the rest, and a couple of people were psyched to get them. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/4 "2010-05-02T02:51:07Z")
I see the equivalent of boxed sets – real albums of multiple 78 RPM classical records – at a local thrift store all the time. They sit on the shelves for weeks. I wouldn’t say “trash them”, but perhaps you can freecycle them, find someone through Craigslist, or get some idea for art projects from various craft-related Web sites. Don’t feel like you’re the only one with a recording, and that if you lose it it’s permanently lost to the ages. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2010, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/5 "2010-05-02T22:00:07Z")
I had forgotten all about Freecycle. That’s a great idea. Thanks, guys! ---
**Author:** ![Aeris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a183cd/32.png) [@Aeris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeris)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/6 "2010-05-05T18:32:11Z")
They would make for cool wall art, they actually sell frames specifically for records at Michael’s. Or sell them, I’m sure somebody out there would love to have them. ---
**Author:** ![gang\_green](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f07891/32.png) [@gang\_green](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gang_green)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/7 "2010-05-05T21:27:16Z")
I sold a metric ton (well, about 15 folios. Those things are _heavy_!) of them on Craigslist for $15. Got two very quick responses within 10 minutes of posting. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-to-do-with-old-records-mostly-78s/537993/8 "2010-05-06T13:14:14Z")
I’ve heard that people used to melt them down to drink them, but I wouldn’t recommend this.