BILL EVANS TRIO Portrait In Jazz 1959 UK 1st Press LP MONO RIVERSIDE RLP 12-315

	£		57
	$		76

BILL EVANS - PORTRAIT IN JAZZ

An increasingly rare and sought after copy of this 1959 UK 1st pressing jazz gem on the RIVERSIDE record label, MONO RLP 12-135

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  RLP 12 315 A- 1L with stampers "A" and "3" at  6.30 o'clock and 7 o'clock respectively

Side 2  RLP 12 315  1//420 2L with stampers "11" and "1" at 3 o'clock and 3.30 o'clock respectively

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent. This is heavy duty, completely flat vinyl which still retains it's original beautiful glossy and jet black lacquered sheen. Under a bright light it is possible to pick out  a few fine, wispy hairlines and light surface scuffs but these appear to be surface only, only detectable under a bright light and not detracting from the impressive audio quality. The exception to this is a light, but nonetheless just feelable, scratch on track 2, side 1 which does result in light rotational clicking for most of this track. Despite this glitch I would still rate the overall condition of this vinyl, especially considering it's 59 year old antiquity, as VG+!

The labels are excellent. All of the silver text and the blue matt background remain beautifully intact, with just a few faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre whole on each label. Excellent!

The front laminated outer sleeve is VG+. All edges, including the spine, remain rigid and with no scuffing - remarkable! The corners remain nicely defined right angles with just a little rubbing on each corner. There is virtually no fraying on the opening edges and the front photo remains as impressive as ever with superb detail and the colours remaining rich and vibrant. There is a small area of laminate lift towards the bottom left corner and some mild laminate creasing at the top left hand corner. The spine is excellent with all text remaining wholly intact and perfectly legible. On the reverse side each of the three flip backs remains in excellent shape and 100% functional. There is a hint of age discolouration towards the opening edge and again adjacent to the side and top flip backs though this is all minor. All text remains perfectly legible. In summary a solid VG+ with minor blemishes only.

Finally, the quality of the audio is VG (side 1) or excellent (side 2). There is lovely tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips either but there is the aforementioned clicking on track 2 side 1, some occasional and sporadic further mild clicks which I put down to dust in the grooves through 50+ years of storage, and a little intermittent and definitely background crackle, but this really is minor. Still a great listen...this is laid back jazz, man, with Bill Evans (piano). Scott Lafaro (bass), and Paul Motian (drums), at the top of their game. Lie back and enjoy...

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. Come Rain or Come Shine

2. Autumn Leaves

3. Witchcraft

4. When I Fall In Love

5. Peri's Scope

Side 2 :

1. What Is This Thing Called love?

2. Spring Is Here

3. Some Day My Prince Will Come

4. Blue In Green

Comes with original  plain white inner sleeve with no splits, tears, fraying, or age discolouration and still 100% functional. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary an overall VG (at least) copy of this increasingly rare and  sought after 1959 UK 1st MONO pressing jazz gem - a worthy addition to any 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 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 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 63 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 cardboard 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 :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class : £3.00, 

for continental Europe international 1st class/Airmail: £8

and for Rest of the World international 1st class/Airmail £12.00

 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