HELEN MERRILL, Self-Titled first LP, EmArcy, MG 36006 1955 Mono, VG++/VG+

Album Content:

HELEN MERRILL’S first LP, EMARCY Records MG-36006, first original U.S.A. pressing, deep groove on both sides blue label EMARCY with silver lettering, front cover laminated, recorded 22 &23 December 1954. C.Brown - trumpet , D.Banks - flute , Jimmy Jones - piano , B.Galbraith - guitar , O.Johnoson , Bob Donaldson - drums , M.Hinton - bass , Oscar Pettiford - bass & cello, Quincy Jones arrangments. Helen Merrill sings beautifully on her first very rare original first album, cover and vinyl VG+, sounds great!! 7 tracks including: Don't Explain, You'd be so nice to come home to, What's new, Falling in love with love, Yesterdays, Born to be blue, 'S Wonderful.

Grading/Description:

Vinyl is VG++ glossy vinyl with some minor sleeve scuffs, and hair line marks that don’t adversely affect the sound. The label has virtually no ring wear, but some spindle marks. Etched in dead wax is YMG 36006A MF 2, YMG 36006B MF 3.

Cover is VG+, Front Cover is very clean, 6cm crescent shaped crease, bottom and top have a 5cm seam splits, lamination pealed off a 5cm triangular area but is almost unperceivable, see photo. Back Cover is printed in blue, right hand bottom corner (see photo) has an original review from I believe Down Beat magazine glued on. The review rates the album with 4 stars and starts out “ A welcome first LP by 25-year-old Helen Merrill, wife of skilled reed-man, Aaron Saches. Her accompaniment here is unobtrusively apt and is provided by Clifford Brown, Danny Bank (flute), Barry Galbraith, Jimmy Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson (on three numbers, Oscar Pettiford and Bobby Donaldson replace Hinton and Johnson). The simple helpful background were scored by Quincy Jones and are much more viable than the overarrangements Helen received on her first singles with the label. Quincy also did the liner notes. It goes on. The inner sleeve was replaced in the 1960’s with a period audiophile sleeve (included).

Packaging:

I ship all vinyl in 1.5 mil high-density polyethylene anti-static inner sleeves. The outer jacket is shipped in a re-sealable 3 mil clear polypropylene cover to prevent damage. The outer poly jacket has a fold-over flap and long-lasting adhesive strip to seal the LP jackets against pollutants, and to prevent scuffs during shipping. The vinyl is shipped outside of the outer jacket to prevent seam splits. Both the vinyl and jacket are places between bubble wrap and cardboard stiffener and shipped in a LP shipping box. I believe you will be satisfied with the effort I put into shipping your purchase.

Handle Fee:

As previously mention I take great care in Packaging so a small Handling fee will be charged in addition to shipping.

Shipping Method:

I’m flexible; USPS, or UPS.

A SPECIAL NOTES REGARDING RECORD GRADING:

Unless you buy a vinyl record that is SEALED, MINT, or NEAR-MINT condition, there will always be some type of surface sounds. If the LP has been played a couple of times, it can never be perfect. This is especially noticeable during quiet passages.

Grading Ratings and Definitions of LP Conditions in order to avoid confusion:

ALL RECORDS ARE LISTENED TO (EXCEPT MINT) AND VISUALLY GRADED.

Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way. NEVER been played or still sealed. Cover must be in the shrink-wrap for this grade.

Near Mint (NM): LP cover, inserts, e.g., lyrics sleeves, posters, promo cards, have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable flaws. LP shows hardly any signs that it ever has been played or it has been treated with great care, cover may be in shrink-wrap.

Very Good Plus Plus (VG++): This LP may show some signs that it was played a few times or several times but the LP was treated with care. LP is glossy but the surface may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs (caused by original paper inner sleeve) or very light scratches/hairlines that do not affect the overall listening experience. The cover may have some ring/spine wear and discoloration. Inner sleeves/booklets may have some slight wear. The LP cover may have also a cut-out hole, corner indentation not disturbing the overall condition of the LP itself. Can have a sticker or label attached if it is a promo copy. There will be pops and crackling in the quiet sections.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Conditions as described in VG++ may be found in a more pronounced way on LP for this rating. Surface noise may be evident upon playing, especially in soft and other passages, but not overpowering the music. Wear may be noticeable. Scratches may affect the sound in places. The cover and the labels may show some writing, or have stickers or residue attached.

Very Good (VG): LP in Very Good condition will have surface noise and scratches and it might have one skip, which will be noted in the description. The cover or sleeve may have seam splits, (however archival transparent tape will be used to fix the seam).

Good (G): I WILL NOT SELL A RECORD IN THIS CONDITION.

A SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING REFUNDS:

Each request for a refund will be dealt with on an individual basis and please email me so the situation can be worked out.

FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: Any item returned for refund must be in the same condition it was shipped in and clearly marked on the customs form "RETURN FOR REFUND" otherwise a customs fee will be charged to me and WILL BE DEDUCTED from the refund amount