I am currently selling a series of great Richard Wagner and classic European 78 rpm orchestral recordings on all the great European labels:

 

Incredibly beautiful, rare German War Time recording of WILLEM MENGELBERG and the Berlin Philharmonic of Tchaikovsky's sombre 5th Symphony on 6x 12" Telefunken 78 rpm records with original album.

Tchaikovsky: Symphony #5 e-moll

[M]025071~82
[78s] Telefunken (Germany) SK3086~91
Berliner Philharmoniker
recorded on July 8, 1940, at Berlin

Willem Mengelberg, the greatest Dutch conductor was the noted music director of the early history of the New York Philharmonic, and of his own Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra.

Counted by many as one of the greatest conductors on record, had a difficult position during World War II: While the World war II was raging, and the Na*is wer raping the Netherlands, Mengelberg considered art more important that patriotic restraint. So he continued to perform in Germany, and make recordings, like this beautiful 1940 set. Keep in mind, 1940 - the war was raging, Nazi atrocities committed all over Europe.

After the war, this guilt by association did not sit well with the Dutch people: Mengelberg became persona non grata, and a performing ban. He died 1951 in exile in Zuort, Switzerland.

  

Condition: Album of sturdy riveted construction and heavy dark blue cloth is in great condition. A tiny defect on the spine, and few small traces of old tape glue on front cover. Otherwise superb. SUPER QUIET Telefunken surfaces, Records are BETTER THAN EXCELLENT - no damage, pristine. Stickers on label. This wartime pressing has a light amount of static.

A series of great Violin, Piano and Orchestra records on rare labels, from 1902 Monarch to 1940 War Germany recordings.

 

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A note on grading Victrola/ Pathe/ Shellac 78 rpm discs:

Pls note that I try to be extremely conservative and consistent in my grading. All records are graded with the same criteria, regardless of genre.

I noticed that my grading seems to be more conservative than what I have seen from other sellers, so here some notes.

Surface VISUAL GRADING:

EXCELLENT - clean and shiny, as new. E minus is the same, with light scuffing.

Very Good Plus - Clean, with a little more scuffing. Some grooves spots may have some light greying. Little if any distortion.

Very Good - a clean copy, some scuffing, some greying on a single groove or a few small groove bands. Enjoyable record, maybe light distortion on some top notes.

=> Everything up to here is a great and enjoyable record

Very Good Minus - May have areas of visible wear, may have some scuffing or lightly dulled surface. Still a great record, but ticks, pops and some distortion.

Good Plus - a worn and scuffed copy. May have other defects separately stated. Plays well, but with noise, may require filtering.

All other defects (if any: Chips, cracks, scratches, lamination cracks, label damage, needle digs) will be stated SEPARATELY.

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  MULTI ITEM SAVINGS: Shipping Records: actual postage plus $5 for secure packing in the US. Email for International rates.   Two records ship for $7 in US, three records ship for $8. IOW: 2 record parcel = 7$, 3 records per parcel = 8$, 4+ records per parcel = actual postage + 5$   Edison Records can be shipped single.   For 78 Victrola Records: Good shipping practice recommends to ship a minimum of 2 records for safe arrival. If you buy a single record, I will add a separate packing record to the parcel.   I will ship single record parcels only to international buyers.   Shipping is at buyers risk.     Billing and Multiple Purchases:
I will be having about 5 weeks of auctions with over 1,000 exciting and rare records and phonograph items.   As a default, I am usually not sending out a bill at completion of the auction, to give you the chance to look at my other auctions for combined shipping. I am happy to hold your records for a couple of weeks, and will bill you at the end of the 5 week auction cycle.   Pls let me know if you want me to bill you right away and prepare the records for shipment.   Items are described and grade accurately to the best of my knowledge. If an item has been incorrectly described, I am happy to refund the money on return of the item.   Pls ask any questions you may have   =====   Wrong photos do happen. Pls send me a short note when you notice one.   WEEK *3* of 5 weeks of great auctions: THIS WEEK: Over 400 Records going on-line between March 5 and March 8 2007.
Some really great stuff, that you will enjoy.   Have a look at my other items, below are some highlights.   http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZcarsten_sfQQhtZ-1