Re: [ARSCLIST] 78 RPM Packing Advice Requested

["Steven C. Barr" <stevenc@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----- Original Message -----
From: Dismuke
>>>>>
Thanks to everyone for the very helpful and informative replies.  I do have
a couple of follow up questions:

Your best bet would be 11" x 11" x 11" boxes (or 12" x 12" x 12"), the
records packed vertically (standing on end) tightly within but without
bulging and then use crushed newspaper to pad, as you suggest.
Is there any particular reason that 11" x 11" x 11" would be better than
10"x10"x10"?  The 10" inch box would certainly make for a tighter fit.  Is
the concern based on the fact that, with a 10" box, the edge of the records
would be touching the interior walls on all 4 sides?  The 10" boxes are
about 20 percent less expensive than the 11" boxes - but since my main
concern is that the records arrive in good shape, that price difference is
certainly not my deciding factor.

You can leave the 10" records in the albums, but I cut all the sleeves
out
with an Xacto knife and tossed the cardboard outers and saved some
space and
weight.

I am going to want to keep the storage albums as I have a feeling that I
will have an easier time getting some of my money back by selling them than
I will finding someone who wants the records that don't match my listening
tastes.
What is the best way to pack the filled albums?  Yesterday, I experimented
with a 12"x12"x12" box and found that 10 inch albums fit very nicely inside.
Obviously, I would want to make sure that the top edge of the albums all
face in the same direction and that the box is oriented so the records are
vertical.  My concern is with the safety of records that might be in albums
that may have only 1 or 2 out of 10 sleeves filled.  I have not seen the
collection in person,  so I am not sure what percentage of such albums there
may be.  When I look at empty or nearly empty albums, I notice that the ends
of the covers come together at an angel.  Completely filled albums, on the
other hand, form a perfect rectangle and the records appear to be flat
against each other. If a partially filled album were packed between a bunch
of other albums which were completely filled, would the records in that
album be at extra risk - or is the spine of the album cover designed to
prevent that from happening?  Is it recommended that, once in the box, the
spine of the album covers all face in the same direction as they would if
they were placed on a shelf?  Or is it better to alternate the direction of
the spine on each album?  I have never really trusted albums so I rarely use
them.
Thanks again for all the help.
<<<<<
1) Establish that the 10" records will actually fit in the 10" boxes (some
Columbia products are actually 10.25", remember!). It isn't clear if the 10"
is an inside or outside dimension. I based my opinion on this fact.

2) You're probably better off shipping the albums, empty, separately from
the records. Remember that albums are usually constructed with the sleeves
separating them, which means the records wouldn't be packed as tightly
as possible. It's been my experience (CAPS meetings mainly) that empty
albums in usable condition go for $2-$3 each.
...stevenc