Before vinyl, there was shellac. 78 RPM records, pressed on shellac compound and played at 78 revolutions per minute, were the dominant recorded music format from the 1890s to the mid-1950s. India's own HMV Dum Dum pressing plant produced thousands of titles capturing the earliest commercial recordings of Indian music — many of which are now historically irreplaceable. Our collection is pre-owned only and individually inspected.
What is a 78 RPM record?
A 78 RPM record is a disc made from shellac (a natural resin) rather than vinyl, designed to spin at 78 revolutions per minute. They predate the vinyl LP era and were the primary music format from the 1900s to the early 1950s.
Do I need a special turntable to play 78s?
Yes. You need a turntable with a 78 RPM speed setting and a dedicated 78-compatible stylus (usually a wider 2.7–3.0 mil tip). Playing a 78 with a standard LP stylus can damage both the record and your needle.
Are these fragile?
Shellac is significantly more brittle than vinyl — a dropped 78 will often crack or shatter. We pack them with extra care in rigid double-walled boxes. Handle them on the edges only.
What music is typically on 78s?
Indian classical, early Bollywood, ghazals, and folk recordings from the 1910s–1950s dominate our collection. Internationally, 78s carry early jazz, blues, classical orchestra, and pre-war popular music.
Are these historically significant?
Many are the only surviving commercial recordings of certain artists. HMV's Dum Dum plant (near Calcutta) was one of the first pressing facilities in Asia — making Indian 78s especially important to music history.
What is a 78 RPM record?
A 78 RPM record is a disc made from shellac (a natural resin) rather than vinyl, designed to spin at 78 revolutions per minute. They predate the vinyl LP era and were the primary music format from the 1900s to the early 1950s.
Do I need a special turntable to play 78s?
Yes. You need a turntable with a 78 RPM speed setting and a dedicated 78-compatible stylus (usually a wider 2.7–3.0 mil tip). Playing a 78 with a standard LP stylus can damage both the record and your needle.
Are these fragile?
Shellac is significantly more brittle than vinyl — a dropped 78 will often crack or shatter. We pack them with extra care in rigid double-walled boxes. Handle them on the edges only.
What music is typically on 78s?
Indian classical, early Bollywood, ghazals, and folk recordings from the 1910s–1950s dominate our collection. Internationally, 78s carry early jazz, blues, classical orchestra, and pre-war popular music.
Are these historically significant?
Many are the only surviving commercial recordings of certain artists. HMV's Dum Dum plant (near Calcutta) was one of the first pressing facilities in Asia — making Indian 78s especially important to music history.
