schellakplaten

Schellakplaten, commonly called shellac records, are phonograph records pressed from a shellac-based compound. They were the standard format for listening to popular recorded music from the first decades of the 20th century until they were gradually supplanted by vinyl records in the 1950s and 1960s. The material is derived from shellac resin produced by the lac insect, combined with fillers and pigments, then pressed into circular discs with spiral grooves that encode audio information. The resulting records are relatively rigid and durable compared with early vinyl, but they are also more brittle and prone to surface noise, especially in worn or dirty conditions.

Most shellac records were issued in 10-inch and 12-inch formats, with a subset of 7-inch singles also produced. The standard playback speed was 78 revolutions per minute (rpm), although some early records used other speeds. Record labeling varied, and some early units had large center holes.

In terms of production, shellac discs were mass-produced using pressing techniques perfected in the early 20th century. Demand declined as vinyl, with its longer playing time and lower production costs, became dominant in the 1940s and 1950s. By the 1960s, shellac plating had largely disappeared from new releases, though shellac records remained in circulation among collectors and hobbyists.

Preservation requires careful handling, storage upright and away from heat and humidity, and gentle cleaning to avoid damaging the grooves. With modern equipment, 78 rpm playback still requires a turntable with adjustable speed and a suitable cartridge.