It wasn’t only the main city centres which offered records and record players. Bennett’s Melody Shop, Bondi Junction, in Sydney’s east sold records and a range of phonographs.

During the 1940s and ’50s there were numerous small recording studios in the big cities where anyone could record a one-off acetate disc or perhaps have a small run pressed.

Goodwin’s Music Warehouse, 59 Gouger St in Adelaide, offered a range not only of various types of 'Phonos’ but also pianos, player pianos, discs and player rolls.

In the first half of the 20th century, music was commercialised on 78 rpm shellac discs which could hold a little over three minutes on each side.

Sound Archivist Graham McDonald has compiled a selection of rare and beautiful record sleeve designs from Australia, USA, UK and the rest of the world.