The Complete Guide to Vintage Children's Records by Peter Muldavin (2006, Paperback, Illustrated)

This beautifully printed book, in full color, is probably the only comprehensive listing and value guide for vintage children's records. The author, Peter Muldavin, focuses primarily 78 RPM records from the beginning to the 60's. It is lavishly illustrated with examples of rare and commonly found recordings and their sleeves or album covers (which are very rare to have survived for children's records!). The photos and illustrations give a sense of style from various periods of production.

Mr Muldavin is a dedicated collector and has used executives from the children's record industry as one of the sources for many of his complete listings. He indicates that even the Library of Congress has missed covering this area of historical recordings. He has a real passion for the genre and it is reflected in his thoroughness. Understandably, he has won the nickname "The Kiddie Rekord King."

The listings include labels by series, artists when available, titles on A and B sides, year produced when available and an approximate value for G/VG and EX/Near mint conditions. Picture Records to "movie" records, Edison to RCA Victor, 5" to 12": it's all here. There will always be gaps in any guide like this, but he has done an amazing job covering even obscure labels. This had to be a monumental task.

Like so many reference books as this, I wish it were possible to publish it as a data base disc for easier searching. I guess that won't happen until it's possible to copyguard discs, however. Listings are by record label.

"Collector Books", a division of Schroeder Publishing, has to be commended in creating a book that is a work of art in itself. It is printed on really heavy stock. If you are a collector or a nostalgia buff, or just have fond remembrances of records from your formative years, I think you will find this book fascinating. I certainly have!

Loren Rosebraugh