Copying/reproducing 78Rpm Records.

[squidgelet10]

Greetings each.
I own a large collection of 78rpm records, mostly of 1920's-1940's vintage, of many theatre/cinema organists performing on a variety of UK cinema organs.
I wish to produce a compilation CD featuring individual tracks taken from some of these records and cleaned-up/sanitised/re-mastered or whatever one wishes to call it, using audio software. These CD's would then be offered for sale but in a very limited way, mostly organ clubs/societies, as there is not a great deal of public interest in this sort of stuff.
I am under the impression that copyright to the recordings expires after 50 years, although I have yet to read anything explicit regarding the legality of what I propose above.
Might anybody be able to educate me regarding the rules/regulations etc, in order that I do not end up treading on anyone's toes in what appear to be extremely murky waters, please?
I have already been in contact with Intellectual Property Office, but am unable to make much sense of the information available from them.
Thanks.
Be good!
Cheers.

[Old_Geezer]

I very much doubt anyone could be bothered to chase you on copyright for old 78s you already own and are merely backing up.

But selling them might be a be a bit more tricky. You may wish to ask in the law section. I have always thought that once one has ownership you have it forever, but I'm no expert on these dodgy legalities.