Collection: Indestructible Cylinders (2 Minute)

Indestructible Cylinder Records were a brand of early phonograph records introduced in the early 1900s as a more durable alternative to the fragile wax cylinders of the time. Manufactured by the Indestructible Phonographic Record Company and later produced under other labels such as Columbia and Sears' Oxford brand, these records were made of a core material—typically fiber or cardboard—coated with a durable celluloid surface. This construction made them resistant to breakage, wear, and environmental factors like heat and moisture, which commonly damaged wax cylinders.

Indestructible cylinders were available in both two-minute and four-minute formats, compatible with standard phonographs of the era. They featured a wide range of musical recordings, including popular songs, marches, ragtime tunes, and spoken-word performances. Despite their improved durability, the rise of disc records and technological advancements in sound recording led to the decline of cylinder records in general, including the Indestructible brand, by the 1910s and 1920s.

Today, Indestructible Cylinder Records are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts of early recorded sound, prized for their resilience and historical significance in the evolution of phonograph technology.

Attention: The Phonograph Shop only offers nicer Indestructible cylinder records for individual sell. For that reason, we leverage a very basic grading system. Please keep in mind that record grading is somewhat subjective and requires experience. All record grading decisions are at the discretion of The Phonograph Shop. We will not debate nuances with personal opinions or other grading systems. If you are a serious collector and feel our grading may be at odds with yours, please reach out before ordering.

All Indestructible cylinder grading is visual inspection only.  There will be no core damage, splits or heavy scratches, regardless of the grade. We do not test fit the cylinders.

• Excellent: These records still retain a nice shine and should play well.
• Good: These records may show signs of typical wear, such as, graying or light scratches.