PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER eBAY AUCTIONS - ALWAYS EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER NEWLY LISTED RARE AND COLLECTIBLE JAZZ LP's

The Jazz Scene Norman Granz Hand Signed #1854 Rare 78 RPM 6 12" 78's, tracks listed below. Stunning. About 50 b&w photographs on heavy stock paper.

5000 copies were number and released, all numbers but how many appear unplayed. No marks on any of the 6 discs. Not pressed on shellac but vinylite, supposedly unbreakable. This set is divided into 6 sections:

1) The Duke Ellington Sides

2) The Neal Hefti Sides

3) The Lester Young Side and the Coleman Hawkins Side

4) The Ralph Burns Side and the George Handy Side

5) The Charlie Parker Side and the Willie Smith Side

6) The Machito Side and the Bud Powell Side

Approximately 40 black and white photos throughout the set, expertly taken and none have any tears, folds or creases. Near perfect. No fading either. The photos, a few shown above, are on very heavy stock paper.

This deluxe set is rare but I wonder how many are this pristine. It's large and heavy. How many survived?  This might just be the best copy available. It will be packed in a strong box, wrapped in bubble wrap and protected further by packing peanuts.

The only "defect" if you want to call it that, is that the dividers naming the sides has faded to a pale brown after being sold some 68 years ago. This does not detract from the beauty and importance of this set.

More detailed informatoin, including the tracks and musicians can be found below.

RECORD GRADE:  N-, no marks, full gloss, no signs of play but since it isn't a sealed record, I cannot give it a N (new) grade. 

COVER GRADE:  E

LABELS:  Green with black square in the center (see 2nd photo)

Tracklist 

A –Duke Ellington Sono Baritone Saxophone, Soloist – Harry CarneyBass – Oscar PettifordDrums – Sonny GreerGuitar – Freddy Guy*Piano – Billy StrayhornWritten-By – Ellington*
B –Duke Ellington Frustration Baritone Saxophone, Soloist – Harry CarneyBass – Oscar PettifordDrums – Sonny GreerGuitar – Freddy Guy*Piano – Billy StrayhornWritten-By – Ellington*
C –Neal Hefti's Orchestra With Charlie Parker Repetition Alto Saxophone – Murray Williams, Sonny SaladBaritone Saxophone – Manny Alban*Bass – Curly RussellBongos – Diego IborraCello – Joe BenaventiClarinet – John La Porta*Drums – Shelly ManneFrench Horn – Vincent Jacobs (2)Piano – Tony AlessSoloist, Alto Saxophone – Charlie ParkerTenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips, Pete MondelloTrombone – Bart Varcelona*, Bill HarrisTrumpet – Al Porcina*, Douglas Mettone*, Ray WetzelViola – Fred Ruzilia*, Nat NathansonViolin – Gene Orloff, Harry Katzman, Manny Fiddler*, Sam Caplan, Sid Harris, Zelly SmirnoffWritten-By – Hefti*
D –Neal Hefti's Orchestra Rhumbacito Alto Saxophone – Murray Williams, Sonny SaladBaritone Saxophone – Manny Alban*Bass – Curly RussellBongos – Diego IborraCello – Joe BenaventiClarinet – John La Porta*Drums – Shelly ManneFrench Horn – Vincent Jacobs (2)Piano – Tony AlessTenor Saxophone – Flip Phillips, Pete MondelloTrombone – Bart Varcelona*, Bill HarrisTrumpet – Al Porcina*, Ray WetzelViola – Fred Ruzilia*, Nat NathansonViolin – Gene Orloff, Harry Katzman, Manny Fiddler*, Sam Caplan, Sid Harris, Zelly SmirnoffWritten-By – Hefti*
E –Lester Young-Buddy Rich Trio I Want To Be Happy Drums – Buddy RichPiano – Aye GuyTenor Saxophone – Lester YoungWritten-By – Caesar*, Youmans*
F –Coleman Hawkins Picasso Tenor Saxophone – Coleman HawkinsWritten-By – Hawkins*
G –Ralph Burns And His Orchestra Introspection Alto Saxophone – Hal McKusickAlto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Harry KleeBass – Red Callendar*Drums – Don LamondFrench Horn – Vincent DeRobertisGuitar – Arv Garrison*Piano – Dodo MarmarosaTenor Saxophone – Lucky ThompsonTenor Saxophone, Soloist – Herbie Steward*Trombone – Ollie WilsonTrombone, Soloist – Bill HarrisTrumpet – Conrad GozzoTrumpet, Soloist – Sonny BermanWritten-By – Burns*
H –George Handy And His Orchestra The Bloos Alto Saxophone – Hal McKusickAlto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Harry KleeBaritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Charles Gentry*Bass – Red Callendar*Bassoon – Robert Swanson (3)Cello – Arthur KaftonContrabassoon – Arthur Fleming*French Horn – Evan Vail, Vincent DeRobertisGuitar – Arv Garrison*Oboe – Julie JacobsPercussion – Don Lamond, Jackie Mills, Jimmy PrattPiano – Dodo MarmarosaTenor Saxophone – Lucky ThompsonTenor Saxophone, Soloist – Herbie Steward*Trombone – Eddie Kusby*, Ollie WilsonTrombone, Soloist – Bill HarrisTrumpet – Al Killian, Conrad Gozzo, Dale Pearce, Pete Candoli, Sonny BermanViolin – Harry Bluestone, Robert JamisonViolin, Cello – Carl Walker (4)Written-By – Handy*
I –Charlie Parker The Bird Alto Saxophone – Charlie ParkerBass – Ray BrownDrums – Shelly MannePiano – Hank JonesWritten-By – Parker*
J –Willie Smith Quintet Sophisticated Lady Alto Saxophone – Willie Smith (2)Bass – Red Callendar*Drums – Joe Jones*Guitar – Barney KesselPiano – Dodo MarmarosaWritten-By – Ellington*
K –Machito And His Orchestra Tangá Alto Saxophone – Alfred Skerritt*Alto Saxophone, Soloist – Flip Phillips, Eugene Johnson*Baritone Saxophone – Leslie JohnakinsBass – Roberto Rodriguez*Bongos – Chino Pozo, Joe Mangual*Congas – Armando Peraza, Rafael MirandaPiano – Reneé Hernandez*Tenor Saxophone – José Madera*Timbales – Ubaldo NietoTrumpet – Robert Woodlen*, Frank Davila*, Mario Bauza*Vocals, Maracas – MachitoWritten-By – Bauza*
L –The Bud Powell Trio Cherokee Bass – Ray BrownDrums – Max RoachPiano – Bud PowellWritten-By – Noble*

Companies, etc.

• Pressed By – Scranton Record Company
• Recorded At – Radio Recorders
• Recorded At – Asch Studios, New York City
• Recorded At – Reeves Sound Studios
• Recorded At – Carnegie Hall Recording Studios
• Printed By – George F. McKiernan & Company

Credits

• Design [Label], Typography [Front Cover Lettering] – George Maas
• Illustration [Original Drawing] – David Stone Martin
• Photography By – Gjon Mili
• Photography By [Bud Powell & Max Roach] – Paul Nodler
• Photography By [Ralph Burns] – Harold Trudeau
• Producer, Liner Notes, Supervised By – Norman Granz
• Typography – George F. McKiernan & Company

Notes

• 78-rpm album-folio with a sturdy cloth cover, built like a loose leaf notebook so that the contents may be removed if desired.
• Six 12-inch "vinylite" records (not shellac... these are "unbreakable"). Each record is in an envelope protected by an envelope-flap on top.
• Limited, hand-numbered edition of 5,000.
• Hand-signed/numbered by Norman Granz on title page.

[Liner]
Of this Edition of The Jazz Scene
Five Thousand Copies have been made under the supervision of Norman Granz
• Who Signs Here
[Liner]

All written matter, artwork and photographys copyright 1949 by Norman Granz.

Recording studios used were:
- The Duke Ellington, Lester Young, Ralph Burns, George Handy, and Willie Smith sides were done at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California.
- The Coleman Hawkins side was done at Asch Studios, New York City.
- The Machito and Bud Powell sides were done at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City.
- The Neal Hefti and Charlie Parker sides were done at Carnegie Hall Recorders, New York City.

- The Duke Ellington Sides recorded in 1949.
- The Neal Hefti Sides recorded “Repetition” December 1947, and “Rhumbacito” Autumn 1948.
- The Lester Young Side recorded March–April 1946.
- The Coleman Hawkins Side recorded 1948.
- The Ralph Burns Side recorded October 1946.
- The George Handy Side recorded November 1947.
- The Charlie Parker Side recorded 10 February, 1949.
- The Willie Smith Side recorded November 1947.
- The Machito Side recorded January, 1949.
- The Bud Powell Side recorded February, 1949.

I use the VJM grading system for 78 RPM records:

• N. As new and unplayed (there are virtually no 78s that can categorically be claimed to be unplayed).
• N-. Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.
• E+. Plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.
• E. Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.
• E-. Still shiny but without the lustre of a new record, few light scratches.
• V+. An average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced
• V. Moderate, even wear throughout, but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.
• V-. Quite playable still, but distortion and heavy greying in loud passages. Music remains loud in most passages. Surface noise and scratches well below music level.
• G+. Grey throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. Heavy scratches.
• G. Quite seriously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.
• G-. Music still prominent, but wear and scratch damage extensive.
• F. Most of music remains audible over surface noise, but listening now uncomfortable.
• P. Unplayable.

All records are carefully graded. In an attempt to give customers an accurate impression of condition rather than adhere to somewhat arbitrary criteria, I give an "overall presentation" grade, supplemented when necessary with additional remarks. Please refer to my grading system below for a more detailed explanation.

MY GRADING SYSTEMS: I’ve been told that I grade conservatively. My NM (near mint) is my highest grade for opened records (which would also include unplayed records). It’s a 9 or 10 on a 1-10 scale. M- would be equivalent to an 8; VG++ to a 7; VG+ to a 6; VG to a 5; VG- to a 4; G to a 3; F to a 2 and P to a 1. The same scale applies when I grade covers (jackets). Significant defects are specifically noted and taken into consideration in the grade.

GRADING DESCRIPTIONS

RECORDS:

• GRADING is based on the following criteria
• Sealed = store stock new
• Near Mint = like new or near new with only one or two small insignificant defects, a 9 or better on a 1-10 scale
• Near Mint Minus (or NM-) = very nice. Would be Near Mint, except for a couple of light hairlines or scuffs, which do not affect play
• VG++ = still a very nice record with all or nearly all of its original gloss but may have a few more light, surface marks, hairlines, needle tracks or the like which should not materially effect play
• VG+ = a nice, but used record that may have a series of light scuffs or scratches. It probably plays with a few pops, but has no serious problems.
• VG = a well-used record that still should sound OK when played, but may have moderate surface noise, pops, etc.
• VG- = a well-worn record that plays through without skipping, but will do until a better copy comes along.
• Good = not actually good at all but probably will play through but with much in the way of surface noise, pops, crackles, etc. Still, will have no cracks, chips or the like
• Fair = you’re getting this record just to own but not to play
• Poor = the sky’s the limit, generally I will discard a record this bad (and sell the cover, jacket or sleeve alone) unless the label holds some particular interest

  VISUAL GRADING: All records are visually graded only unless I state that they are play-graded. Some major labels were pressed on better quality vinyl and will sound better than a record which visually appears the same on "budget" labels which were pressed on lower quality vinyl. Recording techniques also varied. The sound on live albums may be far inferior to studio recordings. There may also be defects in the pressing which are invisible. The point is that an album on a high quality label that was visually graded VG+ may sound better than an album on a budget label that was visually graded Mint- or even Near Mint. Please refer to my return policy, below. But please don’t be shocked if a record visually graded Near Mint doesn’t sound state of the art. If I base my grade on a PLAY GRADE, I will state this specifically in my grading section.

  COVERS: There are really too many possible defects regarding covers to be as specific in my definitions as I had been with my record grades. But please keep in mind these general grading guidelines:

  • I will give greater weight to the condition of the front cover than back cover when assigning an overall grade
  • No cover with a cut out hole or saw mark will be graded Near Mint even if it is still in factory shrink and there is no other wear
  • I will not reduce the grade of a cover for stickers which are glued to the jacket by the record company (eg. Contains the hit song Expressway to Your Heart); but will reduce the grade for stickers glued on the cover by stores, previous owners, etc.
  • If I write that a cover has a bb hole, I’m talking about a small cut out hole
  • A saw mark is a narrow cut in the perimeter of the cover, could be anywhere and vary in length from 1/2” to 2” at the most.
  • The overall grade takes into consideration any stated defects. For example, if I grade a cover VG+ and then state it has 6” top and bottom seam splits - I’ve already reduced the grade because of the seam splits. If the seams weren’t split, the cover would be graded higher such as VG++ or Mint-.

    Shipping Costs: CURRENT SHIPPING RATES AND POLICIES.

    The winning bidder pays for shipping.

  • 
    
  • Combined shipping discounts given for all purchases made within 5 days of first winning bid or buy it now. If you are still bidding when you receive my invoice, please let me know and wait for combined invoice.

    DOMESTIC SHIPPING WITHIN THE UNITED STATES: Due to increase in postage rates, I have sometimes been losing money on shipping as I send all records in sturdy professional Bags Unlimited mailers with one or more fillers. Therefore, I am now using the eBay postage calculator to determine postage. This will also result in a more equitable charge for priority mail shipments. Instead of a flat fee, those who live in the southeast and mid-east will reap the benefit of reduced priority mail rates.  All domestic shipments include tracking. For purchases over $250, a signature confirmation is required. 
    

    DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS: COMBINED SHIPPING - Save money when I mail 2 or more records in the same package. Please wait until I send you an invoice or request an invoice when combining two or more records or cd's in one shipment -prior to making payment.

    INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS: Overseas customers are invited to bid. As with U.S. shipments, I will use eBay's postage calculator for all overseas shipments. Postage to Canada is substantially less than to other countries and eBay's postage calculator will quote the postage for first class international for any overseas country.  (Surface mail is no longer available for overseas, this service from the U.S. ended over 5 years ago).  Priority Mail Express International is available - rates are substantially higher than first class international and will be quoted for each purchase if buyer requests this service. I require this service for purchases over $100 because it is much faster and provides A TRACKING NUMBER. (I do not ship registered which also provides tracking, about the same price as Express International but delivery is very slow)  Generally, Express International costs $55 for 1 album and additional albums are $5 more for each additional album. For purchases over $250, a signature confirmation is also required.  I am sorry but the increased risks and costs must be passed on to the international buyer. On the bright side of things, Express Mail International will get you the package faster and it is safer.  Please wait until I send you an invoice or request an invoice when combining two or more records in one shipment -prior to making payment.Combined postage saves the buyer quite a bit of money per record. 

    Please check out my other eBay auctions and stores listings.

    I’ve been listing all types of records - mostly LP’s - including 50’s and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll, country, folk jazz, blues, personalities, new wave and punk, surf, psych, spoken word, comedy, etc., etc....... I try to list unusual, unique or obscure records, not the ones that you see all the time. While a majority of my listings are albums, you’ll often find a nice selection of 45’s, EP’s or picture sleeves...and an occasional 78 or two.

    My return policy: . You may return an item if it's not in the condition described. You may not return items if you decide you don't like the music. I will return the base price of the item unless I make an error in shipment such as sending you the wrong record or cd. In that case, you will be reimbursed for the cost of the item and shipping both ways. In addition, the item must be returned in its original condition , i.e. the way it was shipped when it left my hands. While a very high percentage of my records arrive safe and sound (I use professional mailers and a filler or two, more for 78’s), they occasionally are damaged in transit. If that happens, I won’t accept the return of the record or other item.

    Sealed Records: After a sealed record is paid for, I will gladly open it before mailing to make sure that the record is new & unplayed. If the record is not, I will give a full refund. Even though it is easy to spot most resealed records from the 50's and 60's [I will mention that in the desription if it looks like a possibility], not all records from the 70's & 80's are quite as obvious. Please ask for any details about the seal of a particular record & I will be happy to answer.