Hanson Nordic Symphony #1 Mercury Living Presence SR90165 LP Rare Promo

$

20

Eastman-Rochester Orchestra, Howard Hanson Conducting
Symphoy No. 1 "Nordic" / Fantasy Variations On A Theme Of Youth
Mercury Living Presence SR90165
Rare White Label Promotional Edition
First Pressing (RFR-1/RFR-1)

Item Details
Manufactured in: USA
Recorded: May 7,1956 and December 16,1960 at the Eastman Theater
Lacquer Cut By: George Piros on one of his favorite lathes (P17)
Pressing: At Mercury's own pressing plant in Richmond Indiana
Original Issue: December 1960
This Issue: 1960
Includes original paper inner sleeve
Label: Mercury Living Presence SR90165
Runout Deadwax Matrix Numbers:
Side 1: (etch:) SR-90165A - RFR-1 P17 IF
Side 2: (etch:) SR-90165B - RFR-1 IF P17
Was bought used by this seller many years ago and now offered from his private collection. Has 1-2 plays plays only on an expertly setup high-end audiophile turntable, arm, and cartridge. Has never been exposed to heat or tobacco smoke and always stored vertically in a specially designed record cabinet (Rackit) to prevent warpage.
Was cleaned on a VPI HW 16 with Audio Intelligent solutions and ultra-pure water rinse (50X purer than distilled water) before my pre-sale sound check. I wear nitrile surgical gloves while cleaning and play testing to avoid any chance of transferring finger oils to the vinyl.
Very sensitive play testing was performed straight off my Ayre P-5xe fully balanced phono preamp over Sennheiser HD 600 headphones using a Schiit Audio Valhalla 2 tube headphone amp fitted with Voskhod Soviet matched tubes (see last photo).
Track list
1: Symphony No. 1 In E Minor ("Nordic") First Movement, Second Movement.

2: Third Movement, Fantasy Variations On A Theme Of Youth.

I never take "distant" photos nor the so-prevalent type with the LP sticking halfway out of the jacket. I take close-ups under photo lamps so you can see nearly everything I describe in the jacket grading. It is virtually impossible to know the true vinyl condition from any photograph. That takes very bright and close visual inspection PLUS play testing with thorough coverage on high resolution equipment.
Grading Details
Note: Record grading by text characters is subjective and does not fully describe quality levels. Please see photos and my detailed descriptions below.

Outer Jacket Inspection:
VG+
This would be NM- to NM but for a torn section on the middle of the spine. There is also a very small bit of rubbing wear on the two spine corners. The front face lamination is glossy and smooth all over with bright like-new color. The non-laminated rear face is likewise excellent but for some rubbing wear on the lower left corner. The top of the rear face has some very faint ring wear mostly visible when held up to bright light at the upper right.

Vinyl visual inspection:
After cleaning, surface visuals were inspected under high intensity halogen light. I rotated and tilted the record in multiple angles with my eyes a few inches away from the vinyl. Both sides have excellent gloss and lustre. On Side A there was a micro reflection that was very hard to see unless tilted to an exact angle under very bright light. There were also a few very small mottled spots that looked like sleeve rubbing wear. Side B had some narrow fog-like halos thru the first half of the side that were also very had to see. None of these marks looked like they would have any effect on play quality as they were only on the top surface of the vinyl.

Play Testing:
NM/NM
Extensive play testing was performed after visual inspection. I listened to the beginning, middle, and end of each track for a few minutes on each needle drop. I also listened to all lead-in, lead-out and transition grooves between each track. Immediately on Side A Track 1 I was aware of an intimate "front row" perspective of the orchestra. Everything had a clarity and energy with magnificent dynamics and realism. The vinyl noise floor was very low. So much so, that I could detect the little tape splice "thumps" during the transition groove into Track 2 and I could also hear the residual tape hiss. Track 2 was also super quiet. I checked out several very quiet sections on the track and with solo instruments playing softly and they were nearly dead quiet. I could just relax and take in the beauty of the musician's solo. Everything on Track 2 was as great as Track 1. On Side B I came to realize just how much palpable richness was in this recording. My listening notes remarked on the "awesome bass drum" passages. Track 2 was equally impressive in all the ways I have described elsewhere. This LP is a playback system demo all the way as it will really show you what your equipment can do. It is also source of great musical enjoyment. Its a superb combination of musical performance and recording quality.

Packaging

• Record will be placed outside the jacket to protect against seam splitting.
• Original paper inner sleeve is included separately.
• Record has been placed into a new MFSL Original Master Sleeve, as the original paper sleeve may be holding onto some dust. This will keep vinyl surfaces clean and non-abraded during shipping and ultimate buyer usage.
• Outer jacket is contained in a new clear polyethylene protective sleeve.
• Sent in good quality record mailer with cardboard stiffeners.

• Shipping will be via USPS Media Mail for a flat charge of $3.98 per single album sale.
• A combined shipping discount is available on multiple sales completed within 5 business days($3.98 plus $0.50 for each additional LP).
• If you intend to buy more than one LP do not pay immediately but wait for my all-combined invoice. A discount for the combined items will show on that invoice. Then, once payment is received, the items will ship.