MABEL MERCER-CY WALTER 78 RPM Set "Porgy And Bess" 1942

$

36

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 Liberty Music Shop Album/no #; contains L-360, L-361, L362

“Mabel Mercer Sings, Cy Walter Plays… Selections from George Gershwin’s PORGY AND BESS” (Recorded 1942)

ARTIST: Mabel Mercer, vocals; Cy Walter, Piano

SONGS: L-360: I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin (Cy Walter); I Loves You, Porgy (Mercer/Walter)

L-361: Bess, You Is My Woman (Walter); My Man’s Gone Now (Mercer/Walter)

L-362: There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon (Walter)/Summertime (Mercer/Walter)

CONDITION: Album: E-, very slight wear around borders of cover, spine is clean and intact, inner sleeves near pristine, light wear and soiling to (plain white) back cover

Records: Overall E, glossy, virtually no play wear, a few light paper scuffs, few light scratches; L-362 is close to E+. Slight surface noise from slightly grainy pressing (I believe these were pressed by Decca). I tried several styli on these and a 3.5 mil stylus will produce best results/least surface noise. WINNING BIDDER WILL RECEIVE A CD TRANSFER OF ALL DISCS. 

Well. This must have sat on a collector’s shelf nearly unplayed for 60-odd years to come down to us in such fine condition. My research indicates that these are Mercer’s first recordings, as well as the last recordings issued on the Liberty Music Shop label save two sides by Cy Walter. Historic on several levels, and I doubt that a better copy of the complete album is to be found. Note that this album contains three vocals by Mercer accompanied by Cy Walter and three piano solos by Walter. Mercer’s rendition of “Summertime” is just gorgeous. I have placed a reasonable reserve on this very rare set.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

PAYMENT: Paypal is the only payment that I accept. Payment is expected within seven days of auction closing or item will be relisted and bidder will be reported; no exceptions. I will ship within 3 days of receiving payment; if you require same-day shipping, please do not bid.

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RETURN POLICY: I strive to give extremely detailed descriptions of each record and therefore consider all sales final with records sold as-is; however, if you have any legitimate issues, PLEASE contact me before leaving feedback and I will try to address your problem fairly. I am out to gain return customers, not disgruntled buyers. I cannot accept unconditional returns due to the ease with which digital transfers can be made from these vintage records, after which they are returned for imaginary “flaws.”  This is an unfortunate fact that has become a problem for vintage record sellers in recent years.

SHIPPING: I will send Media Rate if you choose, but I do NOT recommend it. Media Mail packages are subject to opening for inspection – so much for my careful packaging. In addition, these parcels seem to receive rough handling, and I myself have received broken 78s due to damage by USPS. Priority packages seem to have a much better success rate and I hope you will protect your investment by choosing this option.

MEDIA MAIL for one 10 or 12 inch 78 is $4 with delivery confirmation. I will advise you as to costs of multiple purchases.

PRIORITY MAIL rate will depend upon your location (see shipping calculator).

INTERNATIONAL parcels will be sent via Priority Mail International only. If this is not acceptable please do not bid.

INSURANCE: eBay rules prohibit me from making insurance optional, therefore the cost of insurance will be included in my final handling fee when you receive my final invoice. I will insure at my expense if your purchase totals over $50.

GRADING SCALE: All grading is visual. I will try to note any discrepancies between visual grade and audio quality when possible. However, different styli will produce very different results so visual grading has become the standard. A note on LMS discs: all LMS records recorded pre-1938 seem to play best with a 3.5 mil stylus.

NM: Looks and plays as new. I generally reserve this grade for records that I know or believe to be unplayed store stock.

E+: Looks and plays as new; full gloss

E: Very slight, mostly cosmetic imperfections such as light paper scuffs may be present; record maintains high gloss and plays with little if any extraneous surface noise

E-: May have very light surface scratches, paper scuffs, lamination creases (lams) that do not sound unless noted, very light visible needle wear; surface noise is negligible to most listeners and well below music level; a collector-worthy record. Most records that I list will fall into this category.

V++: I use this intermediate grade for records that play stronger than VG+ but don’t quite rate an E-; light but not overly intrusive surface noise; still very acceptable for most collectors

VG+: May have any combination of light scratches, light scuffs and moderate needle wear; the “typical” used but not abused 78; surface noise noticeable but does not overpower music level; acceptable to most collectors until the E+ copy of your dreams comes along

VG: Above flaws are more pronounced and surface noise approaches music level; I will generally list VG records only if they are of high musical or historic value.

LABELS: I do not grade labels, which will generally fall within the grade of the record, but will note any major flaws.

REGARDING SURFACE NOISE: All 78s were not created equal. A VG+ Okeh from 1927 will play with less surface noise than a 1927 Brunswick or Victor in “E” condition due to the noisy quality of the grainy shellac used by the latter labels. I assume that if you are bidding on my records, you can tell the difference between surface noise from wear and surface noise from a poor pressing. That having been said, I will try to note especially grainy or noisy pressings in my descriptions when possible, but assume all grading is visual.