In April 1910, a delicate shellac record was pressed in the United Kingdom. It featured Madame Clara Butt’s stirring contralto performance of Kathleen Mavourneen. More than a century later, in 2025, this record completed an incredible 10,000-kilometer journey, returning to its country of origin after spending over 100 years in Australia.
The Voice of a Musical Icon
Madame Clara Butt was famed for her commanding voice. She was a musical icon of her day. One known for her emotive interpretations of classical ballads and operatic works. Kathleen Mavourneen, a sentimental farewell song, was one of her most cherished performances.
Issued on the prestigious His Master’s Voice record label, this single-sided 12-inch shellac disc was a prized possession for music lovers in the early 20th century. At the time, 12-inch records were considered top-shelf items. They provided superior sound quality and longer playtime compared to smaller 10-inch discs.
Albums, as we know them today, didn’t exist yet. Music was released as individual records, making each piece a standalone treasure for collectors. Even radio had not yet emerged, meaning records like this were one of the few ways to experience recorded music outside of live performances.
The Fragile Beauty of Shellac Records
Shellac, a resin derived from the Indian lac bug, was the primary material for records before vinyl took over. Though durable in some ways, shellac is extremely brittle. If dropped, it shatters like a china plate. This makes the survival of a 100-year-old recording all the more remarkable.
Many early records were single-sided—there was no Side B. In fact, the term “Side B” did not exist yet. speeds varied greatly. This particular disc spins at 80 RPM, unlike modern records, which follow a standardized speed.
A Record’s Journey Across Continents
This shellac disc was manufactured in the UK, as Australia did not yet have pressing plants. These facilities only emerged in the 1920s, but many shut down during the Great Depression—a story well-documented in Ross Laird’s history book Sound Beginnings: The Early Record Industry in Australia.
This record’s journey to Australia was likely part of the exported bundle of British-made recordings. It may have been shipped for sale, or carried by an immigrant family who brought their music with them across continents.
Returning Home with Glitter Records
Fast forward to 2025, and Glitter Records in Brisbane facilitated this record’s return to Coleshill, UK. Shellac records require special care when shipped across long distances. They must be packed properly, using a float of packing peanuts, rigid mailers, and additional bracing to prevent movement. At Glitter Records, each shellac record is meticulously packed to ensure safe arrival, no matter the destination.
Once packed, modern logistics takes over, allowing century-old relics to travel with precision and efficiency. Despite their fragile nature, Glitter Records has successfully shipped shellac records to more than a dozen countries, including Ukraine. With the right handling, even the most delicate pieces of music history can safely reach collectors worldwide.
Shellac Records and the Long-Tail Catalog
Shellacs fit seamlessly into Glitter Records’ curation philosophy and long-tail catalog. The store’s collection of 2,000 shellac records has been key to my store’s success. By prioritizing historical recordings, Glitter Records has not only built a thriving business but also contributed to cultural preservation. Expanding its collection and online reach has allowed these old recordings to find new appreciation worldwide.
A Testament to Music’s Enduring Legacy
A fragile record, made before World War I, has survived migration, shifting ownership, and the evolution of music formats. Now, it returns to the country where it was first pressed—a poetic testament to the enduring nature of music and the stories it carries across generations.
