WEEK 2 of two weeks of great auctions ending May 11.

I will send you a bill after close of auctions May 11. Due to the high volume of records, pls allow 2 - 3 days for packing and invoicing

IF you are a non-US buyer or if buy multiple records, pls do not use EBAY check out.
Send me an invoice request (click on MORE ACTIONS to the right of the item), I can probably get you better shipping rate.

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A series of great EDISON DIAMOND DISC recordings:

Grand Opera with international cast on Edison

Desirable Paper Label Pressing 

Rec Numb 82241-R 82241-L Take A A Title  RIGOLETTO (Giuseppe Verdi / Francesco M. Piave), III/ 3: Quartetto (Gilda, Maddalena, Duca, Rigoletto) "Bella figlia dell'amore"  FALSTAFF: Quand Ero Paggio/DON GIOVANNI (Wolfgang A. Mozart, KV.527 / Lorenzo da Ponte): Deh, vieni alla finestra (Serenata) Artist Odette Le Fontenay (S), Elizabeth Spencer (S), Max Bloch (T), Arthur Middleton (Bs), (O) Arthur Middleton (Bs), (O) Recorded 1921.06.17 1916.02. Place NYC NYC Condition:

EXCELLENT, scuffs, paggiod has two faint scratches

plays EXCEPTIONALLY QUIET with great presence. Sleeve tattered

A Choice Copy

Odette Le Fontenay (vocalist : soprano vocal)

French Soprano Odette Le Fontenay (1885 - (?) /
Born in Paris 1885 [?] ~ Le Fontenay was early on a member of the Opéra-Comique, singing Pousette in Manon and creating Une Chimère in Charpentier's Julien. Likely she
left Paris in 1913 and the following year wed in New York City Philip (Philippe) Coudert, a baritone and voice teacher, with whom she appeared on occasion in recital for the next fifteen years. Her New York vocal debut was in 1915 in a joint recital with her husband
in New York. An interesting 1916 performance was in a "Suffrage Opera" by Mrs. August Belmont and Elsa Maxwell given at the grand ballroom of the New York Waldorf Astoria. It incorporated quite an array of personalities, including Marie Dressler in the principal
comedy part and Frances Alda and Mlle. Le Fontenay to do the "serious singing". Her Met debut was the same year, appearing there one season as The Dewfairy (Hänsel und Gretel), Barbarina (Le Nozze di Figaro) and a Genie (Der Zauberflöte). Subsequent performances included a number of charity and society programs as well as radio appearances. She and her husband, parents of three children, divorced in the late 1930s. Her last known address was Pelham Manor, NY.

 

 MAX BLOCH (1882-1943)

Max Bloch was born about 1882 in Germany and studied with an American teacher, Keva Pokal, in Berlin. He obtained his first engagement with the Komische Oper there in 1910, and then went on to the Kürfürstinoper in the same city (1911-12); he also sang at the Berlin Municipal Opera (1912-14). He was engaged by the Metropolitan Opera in 1914, and remained there until 1930. During that time, he sang 435 performances of 43 roles, mainly as a buffo and comprimario singer, although he was highly regarded as David in Die Meistersinger and Mime in Siegfried. At the Met, he appeared in the world premieres of Giordano's Mme. Sans-Gene (1915), Goyescas by Granados (1916), and The Canterbury Pilgrims by De Koven (1917). He was also highly successful as a concert singer. Listening to his recordings, one would think that he was a major tenor of his time. Indeed, he had a major voice in a minor body. He was rather diminutive in stature, and his appearance would have belied his voice in leading roles. Bloch, however, did make a number of extremely fine recordings, and even made some recordings of Italian and French arias under the name of Martino Brefelli. Bloch died in New York in 1943.

 

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 Quick NOTE ON GRADING AND SHIPPING:

As you can see from my feedback, I try hard to earn your POSITIVE FEEDBACK and FIVE STAR RATINGS.

If for any reason your transaction was NOT SATISFACTORY, pls contact me and I will work something out with you. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A REASON TO GIVE ME A NEGATIVE RATING or a LOW STAR RATING.

Quick note on grading:

The Grade (Excellent to Fair, I don't give Mint) refers to the WEAR of the record. Any other defects, like cracks, chips and scratches, are stated separately

When I listen to a record, I may also make a SUBJECTIVE judgment of the pressing quality for hiss and surface noise.
"SUPERQUIET" is basically noiseless, like a vinyl pressing.
"VERY QUIET" is an exceptionally quiet record for a given pressing.
"Quiet" is a record that is a great example without undue noise for a given pressing.

These judgments are SUBJECTIVE and will depend one the styli, phonograph etc. you use on your own equipment.

Pls check my other auctions for more great records and phonograph items:

http://stores.ebay.com/carstensf

 

http://stores.ebay.com/carstensf 

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Multiple item shipping: I am happy to combine items for shipment in one parcel.

If you win multiple items, pls send me an INVOICE REQUEST to calculate the correct postage. Ebay check out will not give you the multiple item discount!

Records will be packed safely between corrugated cardboard in a sturdy box with plenty of padding for safe shipment.

Shipment is usually Media Mail, unless another service is requested. Shipping is at your risk.

If you are in the San Francisco area, I encourage pick-up in person.

US Domestic Shipping:

Here is a guideline for US Media Mail Shipping:

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. Up to about 5 records, I will ship Edison Discs for the same rates. Albums from Album Sets count as 1 record. Above that and for international shipments, it will be actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-3$ depending on size of shipment)

1 record: 4.50$

2 records: 5.50$

5 records: 7.50$

10 records: 9.50$

MANY MORE RECORDS: Don't worry. I safely ship 40 - 50 pounds of records double boxed in moving boxes, and even then Media Mail will probably not exceed 30$.

Please send me a message if you would like to lower your shipping rates!

 

International Buyers:

All'attenzione degli acquirenti italiani:

ATTENTION TO ITALIAN BUYERS:

Due to rare problems with delivery in ITALY, I will NOT GUARANTEE delivery of parcels sent by US Postal Service First Class and Priority Mail. If you prefer secure delivery, I will be happy to quote you either Registered Mail or shipment by FEDEX

 

I am very happy to ship records worldwide.

 

The US POSTAL SERVICE has increased international shipping rates in 2013.

A single record ships for around 25$ worldwide, depending on the weight.
There are some great options available for shipping multiple records at excellent rates.

Pls contact me if you plan to buy multiple records, and I will be happy to give you an estimate for best rates on USPS or Fedex. Pls let me know your country, home town and postal code for an estimate

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As always, I would appreciate any suggestions and corrections from you, pls contact me with any question.

Thank you very much, and good luck bidding !!!