Alexander Kipnis UNPUBLISHED VICTOR MATRIX Private TEST Pressing + CLORINDA VG+

$

38

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Description for ONE SIDED 10" 78 RPM PRIVATE TEST? PRESSING 

Details:  Russian born bass ALEXANDER KIPNIS sings in English, with piano accompaniment; "Cloths of Heaven" (Dunhill) and "Clorinda" (Bledlowe-Morgan).

Kipnis married an American in 1931, and therefore became an American citizen.  He sang with the Chicago Opera, and joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1940.

Remarks:  I got the lead on this record from a torn sleeve that accompanied it, and from 78opera.com.  Here is the verbatim entry on that website: [under VICTOR 1939-11-24] BS043917 The Cloths of Heaven (Dunhill); Clorinda (-) (date?) unpubl (test exists).  While the website didn't state who wrote "Clorinda," the song is on YouTube, with the composer information.

The matrix etching or stamping on the lead-out of this record is mostly gibberish, but one can just make out BS-04*** (The sleeve says B-2-0... which is an error).  The etching also includes (G) RS, which again is very hard to make out.  This collector (see below) sometimes filed down lead-out stamping or etching to prohibit needle damage.

By who, for whom, or when this was pressed is unknown.  Never-the-less, whoever made this record had access to the master of that unpublished matrix.  This could be an original test, but there are no RCA Victor markings, which again would be on the label or etching/stamping; the reverse is embossed with a pattern I've seen with other RCA Victor test pressings, circa 1960, from this collection.  In any case, it's rare!

Condition:  I think the record got wet at one time, which is why there is no label, and the sleeve perhaps ruined.  There are two small scratches, and there's one small area of scuffing. 

Sound:  Surface noise starts out as a low swish that diminishes to nothing about a minute in.  I heard two ticks.

Label:   Blank.  

Sleeve:  Collector's sleeves have no tears or splits.  The torn sleeve is slipped in with the record (on the blank back side). 

Records are graded using eBays’s grading scale, based mostly on the record’s surface appearance.  Grading is conservative but subjective.  Records are only moderately cleaned for photos and testing. Sound conditions are detailed above, and only very poor (or very good) sound may affect grading.  Labels and sleeves are not graded; see photos for those details.  Records are tested on an inexpensive, but modern, Crosely portable phonograph.  *Sometimes a small weight (1.5g) is added to the tone arm to enhance playback and tracking.

MINT:  A new record, sealed, or possibly never played.                  

NEAR MINT:  A used record that looks new -- shiny -- with negligible wear.

EXCELLENT:  May have some light scuffs and/or scratches, but still has most of its shine.

VERY GOOD PLUS:  Has some wear and may appear a little cloudy with light scuffs or scratches, but still has some shine.

VERY GOOD:  Record is quite cloudy, and/or has a few deeper scratches.

GOOD PLUS:  Record looks very cloudy, and has a deep scratches or other flaws.                      

GOOD:  Record is very worn and gray, scratched, or flawed, but is still playable.

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