Franklin D. Roosevelt - Americanism / Columbia Band - March (1919-1920) ** 78 rpm  12"  ** VERY RARE ** FIRST KNOWN RECORDING!

 
• Americanism / March -- Label: Nation's Forum -- Record#: 20

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Description: Up for your consideration is the next in a series of unique discs, this one by Franklin D. Roosevelt on one side and the Columbia Band on the other side. 

Internet research showed:
"Nation's Forum" was a record label that produced recordings of the voices of prominent Americans from 1918-1920. The label was started by St. Louis attorney Guy Golterman for the purpose of making, "permanent records of great speeches and messages in Congress and elsewhere, so that posterity may listen to the voices of the war leaders of 1918." In many cases, these are the only voice recordings of the participant.
According to the Library of Congress, there were two distinct sets of recordings. The 1918 series were all 10" recordings and was apparently distributed only to political organizations and other groups. Many of these records did not have labels. The only one made available to the public was the recording of General Pershing (with James W. Gerard on the reverse). This series was mostly devoted to WWI topics. The exact number of these recordings is unknown.
The second series (1919-1920) focused mainly on post-war issues and the 1920 election. This series is numbered 1-26, but also contains 3 non-numbered recordings by Eamonn DeValera, who led the fight to establish the Republic of Ireland.
All of the Nation's Forum were recorded in the studio with no audience present, for the purpose of recreating an important public speech.
This auction is for FDR, in his first known recording, already touching on the themes that would put him in the White House twelve years later.

Several unique things about this item:  Firstly, this disc has a mostly dull finish with a few scuffs and LOTS of very light marks (plus one small rim chip that did NOT encroach into the grooves) grading by sight in normal room light.  I'm sure if you took this and put it under a 1000 watt bulb, you'd probably find something that makes it less than mint.  If you're that kind of collector, and after a recent unpleasant experience with a buyer from Malaysia, let me suggest this auction is not for you.

I took the time to play the Roosevelt side and noted a constant light surface noise with scattered very light to light pops.  Speaking was still distinct.  I'd rate it about half way between VG and VG+ (excellent).  You can assign your own grade based on my comments and the grading scale shown below.  Keep in mind how it sounds for me may be different than how it sounds for you, depending on the difference in audio equipment.  It played with no skips.  I'm sure you could run this thru some software, if desired, to clean up the sound.

My main system for playing 78s is an old Zenith system that plays three speeds and allows me to turn a knob which flips a needle to allow for playing 78 RPMs.  If you have a player specifically designed for playing 78 RPMs, or can clean them, it (they) may sound even better. 

Secondly, at the time of this listing, no current offerings on e-bay!  NO COPIES FOUND FOR SALE OUT ON THE INTERNET!!

So this is your chance to own a unique item at a reasonable price. Bid early and often so you don't miss out on this item!   

It is further described below, please take the time to read before bidding. 

Please e-mail if questions. 

Be sure to check my other listings to save postage on multiple winning bids.  Please explore the "Me" link above(next to feedback rating) to check out my store and some of the 15,000+ records / books / CD's / cassettes I have for sale as well as the LP to CD transfer service I offer. 

I am using the Goldmine scale of G=Good(1), VG = Very Good(2), VG+ = Very Good Plus(excellent)(3), NM = Near Mint(4) when grading the disc(s). 

Here is a summary of the record(s):

Additional criteria I use when audibly grading records for people:

• NM(4) = absolutely nothing wrong at all (very rarely happens--I've even opened sealed records and they don't play Near Mint)
• 3.5-3.9 = very, very light surface noise
• 3.1-3.4 = very light surface noise, very light pops
• VG+(3) = up to light pops and light surface noise (below this, one's enjoyment is affected, very subjective)
• VG(2) = up to medium pops and moderate surface noise
• G(1) = up to heavy pops and heavy surface noise

I normally ship 78 RPM discs in 14"x14"x6" boxes padded in styrofoam and sandwiched between cardboard, centered within the box.  Weight with box is about 2 pounds 1 ounces.  I have had great success shipping in this manner, but we both know if a postal gorilla gets ahold of this, then no package is going to survive shipping.  Thankfully, those incidents are few and far between. 

Shipping is:  $3.57 Media Rate (2-3 pounds) + $1.70 box/tape + $.50 packing peanuts =$5.77.  I am shipping to you at cost.  It actually costs me $$ because e-bay will charge me 10% of the shipping as well.

Buyer pays shipping/handling. Standard method within U.S. is Media Rate, $4.00.  This includes online tracking which enables you to track shipping of your package online. Outside U.S., e-mail location to determine S/H costs prior to auction end. Insurance / other methods of shipping cost extra. Payment received within ten days of auction ending. Payment via Paypal preferred.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck with the bidding!

Return Policy:  Bid with confidence!  All my auctions are guaranteed to be as described.  If you feel the item is not as described:

1.   Let me know why it is not as described.
2.   If approved, then return the item in the original box within 30 days of receipt by you. 
3.   Provided the item is returned in the same condition as when I mailed it, your bid amount will be refunded.  You are responsible for return shipping.  On sealed items, if you open it, you own it.

Handling policy:  There is no handling charge.  Items are shipped within 24 hours of receipt of payment, unless payment arrives on a Saturday/Sunday in which case the item will ship on the next postal day (normally Monday).