BING CROSBY Merry Christmas - RARE Original 1945 5-78rpm Album - BEAUTIFUL COPY

$

150

Absolutely beautiful copy of the rare 1945 original 5-disc version of Bing's Merry Christmas 78 album on Decca A-403. Features the original and by far the best version of White Christmas, as well as some wonderful songs with the Andrews Sisters. This is the actual first version of White Christmas that Bing recorded in 1939, the last time it was issued on record. After this album the master was too worn out to make new copies so he re-recorded it and all subsequent issues of White Christmas are his later version. Of course both are just great but this is the superior original. Also the subsequent version of this album is shorter, re-issued in 1947 and again in 1950 with only 4 discs. This original version is the only 5-disc full set. Most people have heard this whole album in one form or another, but when you hear the original 78s it is like hearing it for the first time. The sound is just wonderful on this original version of the record, and this copy really brings it out. Four of the five discs are exceptionally clean and play beautifully. I would call them all EX, with only minor signs of light use. Oddly, White Christmas is in the best shape of all, very close to NM. The only disc with real wear is the first one, Silent Night / Adeste Fidelis, which has some clouding and scuffing. It still plays fine but there is a bit of noise. To make up for this one worn record I will include a very nice V+ copy of the late 30s pressing of the same disc, same songs, same versions. A little scuffing but it plays much better than the album disc, very nicely. The cover is also in exceptionally nice shape, with intact binding and an untorn spine. Some of the usual edge and corner wear but less than just about any copy I have ever seen. AND it includes the very rare foldout insert! Sadly there is some water damage on it (see photos) but this insert never shows up. The later reissue pressings occasionally will have it but this original 5-disc edition almost never includes this rare insert. This is a truly beautiful copy, the best you are likely to ever find. Near impossible to beat.

The songs are:

Silent Night, Holy Night

Adeste Fideles

White Christmas

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

I'll Be Home for Christmas

Faith of Our Fathers

Let’s Start the New Year Right (omitted on later pressings)

Danny Boy (also omitted later)

With the Andrews Sisters:

Jingle Bells

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Merry Christmas!