Great info, I just bought a bunch of old records and while searching through my treasure of records I found some records that seem to be made of glass with some kind of vinyl over the glass. There is a center hole and then another over to the side. None of them have labels and I would love to be able to hear them. Any ideas what these are or when they were made. They are the size of 78's. They are very neat. Some only have recordings on one side. I also found a few of the ones you have listed here in this message.

If anyone knows anything about the records I have just mentioned please, please email me at: hottie3467@yahoo.com

Thanks a ton.

Cheers, Inga

:www.crosleyradio.com sells some so-called 78 rpm phonographs. The ideal 78 rpm phonograph has a 3 mil needle. Anything smaller or an "all-speed" needle will ruin 78 rpm records. Don't know what needle theirs uses. They are fairly attractive pieces, so if they have the correct needle, you should be able to enjoy them. You can try antique stores and rummage sales and estate sales. All sorts of places. eBay. If all you're looking to do is play home recorded discs, then all you really need is a VM (Voice of Music) or Webcor (Webster Chicago) or Symphonic, or CBS one tube phono. There are several other brands, too. These little portables are inexpensive and do the job. Perhaps you can check your local school to see if they have any portables they'd like to sell or even give to you. Sadly, schools have abandoned all of their record and 16mm film collections in favor for digital mediums. There is no guarantee that the school phonograph will still have a 78 rpm needle on it, especialy if the needle has been replaced recently. It will likely have the 78 rpm speed. If you purchase an old phonograph, unless it is guaranteed to actually play music, you may need to fix it. The little one tube phonographs are easily repaired, and very often will work with no repairs at all. The most that usually needs attention are the electrolytics, and a little oil on the motor shaft and turntable spindle (perhaps the tone arm bushing as well). Don't get any oil on the rubber drive wheel or any surface it contacts!
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:As for cleaning records, 78 rpm commercial records are usually made out of shellac. Some very late ones produced towards the 1950s were made of vinyl. Shellac records CANNOT be cleaned with alcohol or any conventional record cleaner. They will be ruined. Vinyl can be cleaned with alcohol, though purists will say this is bad. It does not really affect the record, though. Since most people don't know what on earth a record is made out of, my simple advice is to keep all harsh chemicals away from all records. A good cleaning for 78 rpm records is mild dish detergent and warm water. Use a tooth brush to get the grime out of the grooves.
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:Home recorded records are made either out of nitro-celluloid, which is extremely flamable, and almost explosive, or a slower burning version of the above. Home recorded discs that are UL rated or are labeled "slow burning" or "safety record," are made out of the slower burning version of nitro-celluloid. Whatever they are made out of, you shouldn't use harsh chemicals on them or you can ruin their quiet playing surfaces. Use gentle soap and water and a soft brush as above.
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:Thomas