Sonny Rollins Plays For Bird orig UK '56 Esquire 32-075 Mono RVG deep groove EX+

	£		261
	$		312

SONNY ROLLINS - ROLLINS PLAYS FOR BIRD

A truly excellent condition copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after 1956 UK 1st pressing  jazz masterpiece, on ESQUIRE records, MONO, 32-075

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  Etched PRLP.7095 - A with "AB" and "2" at 11.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively, and a stamped "RVG"

Side 2  Etched PRLP-7095 - B with "AB" and "U2" at 11 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively, and a stamped "RVG"

The overall appearance and condition of the heavy duty vinyl is excellent plus (EX+). Let me say from the outset that the superb condition of this vinyl makes it obvious that it has been played very sparingly, probably just a few times. The LP is completely flat and in normal daylight comes across as in perfect condition, with a jet black sheen and beautiful luster. An absolute gleamer! Close scrutiny under a bright light reveals just a couple of the wispiest of wispy small hairlines hairlines but even these are trivial, hard to detect, and totally superficial. Remarkable condition, especially considering it's 63 year antiquity!

The labels are excellent plus (EX+). To be precise the side 1 label is near perfect with no marks, all text pristine, and just a couple of small and extremely faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole; the side 2 label is exactly the same as for side 1 but does have some small patches of very light discolouration which could well be a manufacturing glitch (see photos)...but this does little to diminish the overall impressiveness of the label condition. All text and the famous Esquire logo with maroon and black writing remains perfectly intact. Note the deep groove on each label - symptomatic of very early Esquire record pressings.

The West Brothers laminated outer sleeve is in excellent (EX) condition. All edges remain rigid with no scuffing or rubbing and all corners remain perfectly defined right angles with barely any rubbing at all. The iconic front side remains in original lovely, crisp, perfectly defined condition and with no discolouration - the colours remain remarkably vivid and vibrant. The reverse side is in great condition also - no unwanted doodles and all text beautifully intact and clear. The top and bottom flipbacks remain in perfect condition and the only blemish on the reverse side is some very mild age discolouration towards the edges (see photos). Elsewhere there is some sporadic, light vertical laminate lifting immediately next to the front opening edge, and the occasional very light 1cm laminate surface crease adjacent and perpendicular to the top and bottom edges on the front side and the spine on the reverse side (these are extremely trivial). There is virtually no fraying of the opening edges and the spine also remains rigid with all text perfectly legible. Brilliant!

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent plus (EX+). Terrific MONO audio quality with wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even on higher frequencies and at higher volume. No clicks or background interference, just crystal clear audio reproduction. Esquire records of this era were made to last, and they do! If you come across any background click it is down to a dust particle in the grooves through decades of storage - I noticed three on side 2 and a light wipe with a luke warm damp cloth rectified immediately. There really can't be many 1st pressing copies of this wonderful record left in better condition than this. Sit back and immerse yourself with these jazz legends each at the top of their game : Sonny Rollins - tenor sax, Kenny Dorham - trumpet, Wade Legge - piano, George Morrow - bass, Max Roach, drums, Superb!

Track lists :

Side 1 

BIRD MEDLEY :

1. I REMEMBER YOU 

2. MY MELANCHOLY BABY

3. OLD FOLKS

4. THEY CAN'T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME

5. JUST FRIENDS

6. MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES

7. STAR EYES

Side 2

1. KIDS KNOW

2. I'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE

Comes complete with original poly-lined die-cut "MADE IN GREAT BRITAIN" inner sleeve with no tears or splits - just some mild creasing in three of the corners but remaining in truly excellent and fully functional condition. Note that I always insert the record into a replacement plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly excellent plus copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after UK first press jazz classic, the remarkable condition of the vinyl and superb audio quality being real highlights - worthy of gracing any serious jazz vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 50's, 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 49 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard crucifix style mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail special delivery  : UK £5.00; 

and Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler