Among the various categories of Sinatra memorabilia, the 78RPM records might be the easiest one in which to define what’s collectible and what’s not. Truthfully, there is only one standout item and the few remaining ones I’d mention are distant also-rans.

The standout item, of course, is Sinatra’s very first professionally released recording, From the Bottom of My Heart with Harry James - the famous Brunswick 8443. When it was originally released in 1939, Sinatra was still a virtual unknown. The tune itself was fairly weak and never achieved popularity. Consequently, it has been said (but never confirmed), that only about 7,000 copies were originally produced.

While no one may ever know for sure if the 7,000 copy figure is correct, it is safe to say it wasn’t pressed in significant numbers. (It was, however, re-released several years later on the Columbia label, but this particular edition was produced after Sinatra had become famous and as a result was sold to death and easily acquired today.) The remaining copies vary in condition but most are generally well-worn. Add to that the fact that 78RPM records are inherently breakable, and you have to wonder just exactly how may copies have survived to this day.

The Brunswick 8443 does show up in online auction sites from time to time. Prices for this item can vary from as little as $500 to as high as several thousand dollars for a clean copy. Opportunities to purchase this recording are few and far between.

Some of the other items in the 78RPM record category would include V-Discs produced during the wartime years, Sinatra Conducts Alec Wilder on Columbia Masterworks, and Swing and Dance with Sinatra in multi-disc, album format, which I’ve personally sold for several hundred dollars in very good condition. This last item, tends to command among the highest prices of the also-rans in this category.

Tomorrow I’ll discuss the 10″ LP rarities.