Mamie Smith & Her Jazz Hounds BLUES Okeh 4169 Legendary 10" 78 RPM record

$

30

Mamie Smith and Her Jazz Hounds

Okeh 4169

‘Crazy Blues’ / ‘It’s Right Here For You’

Recorded in NYC, August 1920

Heralded as the first vocal blues record to achieve commercial success. This groundbreaking record is a must have for any 78 collector.

GRADE: V++ to E-

Solid playing. Scuffs, scratches, and some groove wear. Plays very well was my main copy for years. Your playback may vary. See photos and ask any questions ahead.

HISTORY

In 1918, Perry Bradford, actor, dancer, pianist, singer, and songwriter hired Mamie Smith to perform in his Harlem Lincoln Theater Revue, Made in Harlem. Smith’s rendition of Bradford’s “Harlem Blues” was the hit of the show, which was reworked a year later as the “Crazy Blues.” Bradford convinced Frederick Hager, the white director of artists and repertoire (A&R) at OKeh Records, to take a risk and record an African American singer, despite the racist push-back he was sure to get. On February 14, 1920, Smith recorded Bradford’s “That Thing Called Love” and “You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down” with the all-white house orchestra. The record was marginally successful, but six months later, on August 10, 1920, her recording, "Crazy Blues", with a new select band of all-Black musicians, named the Jazz Hounds, was a runaway success. Smith became one of the most successful Black female performers of her generation, earning $1,000 ($13,000 today) for weekly performances, and $100,000 ($1.3 M today) in royalties from over 100 recordings.

GRADING | VJM system 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.

SHIPPING / CUSTOMS / PACKING etc.

US high bidder to add approx. $6.00 for USPS Media Mail shipping & handling calculated shipping listed by eBay.

US high bidder to add approx. $15.00 for USPS Priority shipping. 

Packing will be careful, record sandwiched between cardboard squares, "floated" with ample padding inside a larger box. Standard safe procedure for 78 rpm records. Shipping cost includes packing and materials, including possible re-used / recycled boxes.

International shipping via eBay’s system which has proven reliable and affordable.

Buyer is responsible for any and all customs and/or insurance charges. Insurance and/or Signature Confirmation are your options. I am not responsible for uninsured lost packages.

PAYMENT

Payments by PayPal only or eBay’s system.

Please wait for invoice before sending payment.

QUESTIONS

ALL BIDDERS please ask ALL questions prior to end of auction.

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Please contact me directly if there are any issues. Thank you.