Max Schmid's Jean Shepherd Tape Catalog
Information Page

Last Update 11/4/99

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Ordering Info
 Availability & Format | What is an Aircheck? | Terms | Prices | Trades |
Information about the Schmidco Shepherd Catalog

I have been rebroadcasting Jean Shepherd shows weekly for a few years now over WBAI-FM in NYC as part of my program Mass Backwards. The broadcasts come from this ever-growing collection which I am pleased to make available. I am adding new shows all the time from people who recorded them originally, as well as from old-radio collectors and dealers.

I'm interested in any and all recordings I don't have. I am willing to trade for any shows you might have; I can also transfer your reel-to-reel airchecks to cassettes in exchange for the reels, should you no longer have equipment to play them. I now have all the PBS programs, and some of the NJ Public TV shows but am always looking for more, especially the series Shepherd's Pie, as well as any TV or radio guest shots from anywhere.

Special thanks go out to Howie Mann for the 1960 shows, and to Robert B Ardis for the large collection of Limelight shows you find in this the collection.

The Jean Shepherd shows are only a part of what I have to offer. I also have a choice selection of great Old-Time radio shows from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, and more recent fare such as National Lampoon Radio Hours, Friars Roasts, and so forth. Included among the Old Radio shows is an extensive collection of Paul Rhymer's Vic and Sade comedy series. This was clearly a great influence on Shepherd, who frequently dropped the names of the characters throughout his broadcasts. If you're interested in the complete listings, on paper or e-mail, just drop me a line. The full catalog will be sent with your first order.

Availability and Format

Several people have asked whether certain tapes are still available. All tapes are made to order. As long as blank tape is available and the house doesn't burn down, all tapes listed can be considered "in stock". The only format currently available is the standard audio cassette. While I prefer reel-to-reel, it is very hard to get working reel equipment and tape lately due to the new digital formats, and the lack of availability of affordable equipment and repairs are making reel-to-reel obsolete, I'm sorry to say. Newer formats have not yet been proven, or are unsuitable at this time. CDs can hold only 74 minutes, and would cost about twice the price of cassettes. DAT tapes hold more, but seem to be less stable than analog recordings.



Thanks for your time. Max Schmid max@oldtimeradio.com

Snail-Mail:

WHAT IS AN AIRCHECK?

Many people are unfamiliar with this term, so let me explain: An aircheck is a radio program that is recorded on a receiver as it is being broadcast. A similar term from bygone days was "linecheck", which was a recording made in-studio, usually for later broadcast, from the network line feed that carried programs coast-to-coast from the originating studio. So in a sense, all of the following shows are airchecks - programs home recorded by Shep's legion of fans.

I have used the term "aircheck" here to refer to programs recorded in the NYC area from the original WOR broadcasts, usually complete with all commercials and station breaks, as opposed to the syndicated programs, which were truncated versions of the WOR shows with the commercials removed. These tapes were then "bicycled" around the country to various non-commercial stations for rebroadcast. This was way back in pre-satellite days when distribution was done by mail. The term "bicycle" was borrowed from the early days of motion pictures, when there were very few prints of a movie in any given city and bicycle messengers would transfer the picture reel by reel to other theaters showing the same movie at the same time(!) The earliest syndicated shows that I am aware of are from the fall of 1969. These tend to be longer than the syndies from the end of the run, probably because there were fewer commercials in the WOR shows in those days. By the mid-seventies, the syndicated shows were cut to thirty minutes, but the WOR show contained many more commercials by that time, so not much actual program material is cut. The syndicated programs were heard a week or more after the original NYC broadcasts. I suspect that at least some of them were older programs cut for distribution through this loose network. There are often references to events in the syndicated shows that took place years earlier, which leads me to this conclusion. I also have to assume that some of the WOR broadcasts must have been older tapes as well, unless Shepherd never took time off for vacation, was never sick, and so forth. He certainly couldn't have done live shows while traveling to India, Alaska, or other remote locations from which recordings were later aired.

ORDERING INFORMATION

A note on sound quality: All tapes were mastered from the best copy available to me, and most have been equalized and speed-corrected as needed, then mastered and duplicated on professional equipment for best possible sound. All are quite listenable. These are the same shows broadcast on Mass Backwards over WBAI, and any serious defects have been noted.

Please note that the standard length of all tapes listed is 90 minutes, as opposed to the 60 minute tape format common in Old Time Radio circles. Assume that all unmarked tapes are 90 min., and any tape that is not will have the length noted, usually (60 min.). The prices are based on the extra value of the longer tape.

For now, all fees, including handling, shipping, and New York State sales tax are included in the cost of the tape. (That's right New Yorkers, for now I will continue to absorb your sales taxes - they are a part of the cost of the tapes.)

The tapes may be ordered individually with volume discounts, but you will also see special prices for all sets of tapes in the catalog. These set prices will usually provide your best value, but you should compare the cost of your order both as individual tapes with quantity discounts, and with the set prices, and take the lower price. Please make sure your calculations are correct to avoid delays. Or just let me know what you want and ask for the best price. Please refer to the pricing information below.

All orders will be shipped in the order in which they come in, usually by first class (Priority) mail. I should be able to ship your tapes within three weeks of receiving the order, and usually much quicker, but sometimes it gets busy! As the collection grows, it becomes more difficult to get around to making each set. Huge orders (like the entire catalog) will take longer - there's only me, and I have a real job too (so far). Remember, these cassettes are made-to-order - there is no stock.

Tape: In the past I have used normal bias Maxell, TDK, and Sony tapes in standard hard plastic cases. I have now mostly switched over to special bulk loaded tape specifically designed for high speed duplication - my cost is about the same, but I'll never have to open all that packaging again! These tapes may look different, but inside the quality is the same or better. I'm not going to sacrifice quality or wreck my equipment with cheaper tape.

Tape Boxes: I am now using Crystal-clear soft poly boxes exclusively. They are smaller and lighter for shipping, and less likely to break in transit.

Duplication: I am now using only the Sony professional high speed duplicator, except in rare instances when real-time copying is called for.

TERMS:
I accept checks or postal money orders only. Sorry, but I can't take credit cards (I can barely get one!)
Payment must accompany your order - Schmidco does not bill!
Make checks payable to MAX SCHMID.

All fees (postage, tax, etc.) are included in the price of the tape, unless you require special shipping or insurance. We are happy to ship outside of the USA, but you must pay the difference in postage and any other fees.

New York State Residents: For the time being I will continue to absorb your sales taxes - they are included in the tape cost.

PLEASE NOTE: ON ALL ORDERS OF LESS THAN $25, THERE IS A SERVICE CHARGE OF $1 PER TAPE.

Any questions or suggestions? My E-mail address: max@oldtimeradio.com

Prices:
PLEASE note lengths of tapes before ordering! Each tape is marked.
(All but a few of the Shepherd tapes are 90 min.)

2 Hour Tapes (2 X 60 min.)
$8.00 pair
90 Minute Tapes (90 min.)
$6.00 each
60 Minute Tapes (60 min.)
$4.00 each


All tapes may be ordered in sets, or individually in any combination.

QUANTITY DISCOUNTS ON INDIVIDUAL TAPES:
On orders of 12 tapes at one time (ignoring length) deduct 10% from the total cost of the order. Order 24 tapes or more, (any combination), take 20% off the total price.
THESE DISCOUNTS MAY NOT BE APPLIED TO SET PRICES - Discounts are already applied! Figure your order both ways, and take the lower price, BUT PLEASE DON'T SHORT ME! (I used to be easy, but I've learned!) Show all work :). If you find this confusing, please contact me for the correct prices price BEFORE ordering. This will avoid any delay in my having to contact you. I would appreciate contact information, either e-mail address or phone number, with every order.

MAILING ADDRESS:

TRADES?
I am willing to trade for any shows I don't have. I will also transfer your reel-to-reel airchecks to cassettes for you in exchange for the reel, if you can't listen to your old tapes. Search the attic! Find your airchecks!!
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