After 1968, most of the major labels were no longer issuing new LPs in mono. Sometimes albums advertised there can give you a better idea of the general date of the item you have in hand. Indications of phonogram dates are standard by 1976. All rights reserved. 1933 - Articles begin to appear in the library literature on how to organize and catalog collections of sound recordings.
Record stores convert to self-service bins.
1952 - Library of Congress begins systematic cataloging of their sound recording collections. Columbia Record Club becomes the first mail-order outfit for sound recordings. After much speculation, stereo. The 10-inch LP bows out of the picture. 78 rpm records are all but gone from the sales floors.