PROKOFIEV Romeo & Juliet & Cinderella suites VERY RARE ORIG UK 1962 EX+ / EX–

	£		118
	$		156

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Composer: Sergei PROKOFIEV

Album Titles: Romeo and Juliet suites & Cinderella suites

Conductor: Ernest Ansermet

Orchestra: L’orchestre de la Suisse Romande

Label/Format: Decca – much rarer original first issue format with ‘Original Recording By’ at the 11 o’clock position of all label rims, and wideband silver band on the unboxed format black Decca logo. These have matt surfaces with a gentle hint of texturing and the deep ring ridge.

Label Conditions: All four very clean, fresh and attractive with any spindle traces bordering on minuscule, tiny and faint. These challenging records mostly play very impressively, but there is a mark at the very beginning of ‘Cinderella’ with around 16 clicks, but no sticks or jumps. The mark apparently present when purchased, this is not a stylus mark. That apart, no other serious flaws, and as the mark is quickly passed through and done, so the listener does not have to wait for it as such. Even with the small mark, this is a set of rarity and has to be offered. It will still take a near remarkable example to better it.

Catalogue Number: SXL 2306 / SXL 2307

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of Records: 135 / 147 grams.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: This original first issue double set is rare and seldom seen or offered.

Original Year of Release: 1962

Matrix Nos: ZAL-5390-1E / ZAL-5391-1E & ZAL-5394-1D / ZAL-5395-1D

Mothers / Stampers: 1 I / 1 I & 1 B / 1 B

Brief Info: I do not sell classical music often, but a record of this quality simply has to be offered – all the classical records I am currently offering were purchased brand new by just one owner, and most appear hardly played. This is two of Prokofiev’s most famous ballet suites. Classical music lovers are sure to know far more about the full piece than me, suffice to say it’s a magnificent listen and beautifully pressed by Decca – this is a piece for the classical music, analogue vinyl connoisseur. The opening track to ‘Romeo and Juliet’ will be very familiar to many, it is used for the theme music to the UK ‘Apprentice’, and sounds magnificent on this vintage recording. As seen, the cover has pictures of arguably the most famous ballerina Margot Fonteyn, here seen with David Blair, Nadia Nerina and Donald MacLeary of the Royal Ballet. There are very few visual blemishes to records appearing hardly played, but as stated further up, the very beginning of ‘Cinderella’ has a small mark that emits just over a dozen moderate clicks. The music area is quite loud and helps obscure them, but they are still heard. But once the initial flaw is passed, there is little else to fault bar the odd sporadic tick that these vintage, often delicate classical gems rarely escape at best. The Romeo and Juliet record has little to fault plays beautifully with little unwanted. So with the mark, not for the absolute purist or connoisseur, but will this first issue, rare double set ever play with nothing unwanted?, pretty unlikely being honest. This a rare piece for sure and a fantastic piece of ballet music history, especially with the world-famous Margot Fonteyn pictures on the covers of this elusive gatefold format. Certainly a set I have never seen before and it was a true pleasure to play-grade after the quickly passed mark. Still a rare opportunity for collectors, this is a landmark piece of classic music history.

Cover Grade and Format: VERY GOOD(+): a gatefold format with front and back laminate, the inside is matt and smooth. Two external flipbacks are situated left and right on the inside faces. The records are stored on the top edges making this even more fragile than normal. Printed and made in England by St. James Press, London and Edenbridge, it includes the Decca stereophonic text inner sleeves.

Lamination & Front (the four dancers side): Even more modern top-loading gatefold covers are fragile and seldom wear well. So this one housing two quite heavy Decca records since 1962 will rarely escape signs of age and mild ‘damage’ at best. But this has minimal damage as such, but does give polite reminders of its considerable age. Firstly, and I feel most importantly, the classic pictures of the ballet dancers, that include the world-renowned Margot Fonteyn, are superb and unflawed as-seen. Most of any mild issues are near the edges. The front top storage edge a little thickened with a couple of tiny nicks and the top left corner rubbed with a little ‘erosion’ of the tip. The lamination still with fine shine – gentle rim impression/dulling seen under light – but clear with no lifting or peeling. Even creasing has largely been avoided with just a fine one on the spine edge and little else. Overall, I think this front has fared well and still looks impressive, especially those pictures of the superstar ballet stars.

Lamination & Back (the dancing pair side): Overall, largely the same with slightly more wear to the top entrance edge with a small tear to the top. A small dink to the bottom left corner tip with a mild crease above it. The white border areas of the card a little darkened to remind of age, but I actually think it enhances a cover of this vintage. Just look at that classic picture of Fonteyn on stage, that is priceless.

Cover, Inside Gatefold: The top fold has a gap, so whether this has pulled off or made this way, not sure, but as the bottom has a neat rounded gap as well, I suspect the top was made in a similar way. There is a small tear on the top right top edge and a mild shallow burr on the left opposite. That apart, not much else to fault apart from predictable darkening of the card, this mostly near the edges as well. Both flipbacks strong and laminated with any creasing little and mainly light.

Top Edges: Two open storage edges with no separation between them as such, so these edges have scant chance of avoid some thickening, burring and even tears. These have thickened with some burring and mostly minor tiny nicks with the odd small piece of card erosion and the small tear inside apart. Not faring too bad all considered with solidly pressed inside since 1962.

Bottom Edges: These have real solid folds and laminated, they remain solid, quite straight, smooth and barely worn at all.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Similar to the bottom edges in most respects.

Spine: The top corner front has a small split, but the spine surface is still impressive apart. So still solid and straight and avoiding bowing or compression. Laminate retention is full, it is still smooth, uncracked or chipped with all text present and unworn as-seen, nicely centred as well.

Corners: The top left is a little ragged on the front with the small neat split as mentioned. All others have little wear and fine to very fine shape largely retained with must the odd mild dink/small crease.

Cover Summary: Generally, a fine all-round example of this fragile, arguably slightly under-strength gatefold cover. Certainly a rare one that will not be seen often and giving some clues to age. Importantly, the graphics are still superb and it should still please many collectors.

The Inner Sleeves: VERY GOOD: the paper has darkened to remind of its genuine vintage, all edges unsplit and strong with no repairs. Crisp, neat window circles and the polylinings still fairly clear and attached. A couple of corner creases, these possibly deliberate to stop the records sliding out and some crinkle. These are British patented with ‘Foreign patents pending’ text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading (Romeo and Juliet): EXCELLENT(+): a highly impressive visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and very solidly pressed on the highest quality Decca vinyl. A copy appearing hardly even played on all the evidence with any surface traces minimal, light and faint. No penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, little even registers. As most will know, classical music has varying degree of volume, so the groove patterns are in places ultra fine and delicate. So for a record this vast age to survive like this is quite some achievement. Visually a super record that should please many, if not most collectors – and it plays superbly.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading (Cinderella): NEAR EXCELLENT: largely as above, but as stated, a very small mark at the very start of side one. This is not a stylus scratch, possibly a pressing mark – if so, quite an unusual blemish for a Decca record. This does sound for around 16 revs with moderate clicks – all clearly mentioned further up, and now again. Any other surface marks few, fine and light, then most of above applies again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing equipment, all listed further down.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: These magnificent pieces play largely above their strong visual gradings with litte to fault bar the obvious flaw on the beginning of ‘Cinderella’. The offer strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, but as per most vintage classical records, the odd sporadic click or crackle trace is near impossible to avoid with several very quiet passages, there are no tracking issues*. The early mark apart, it could prove difficult to find these rare originals much better. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain both records have been played very lightly and has been carefully handled and never exposed to any heavy tracking mono record player. That quickly gone initial flaw on ‘Cinderella’ apart, little of any note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading these wonderful records, these totally captivating performances and audio quality, blew me away. A master recording of these spectacular suites that were a joy to hear. ‘Romeo and Juliet with little really to fault at all, this one in particular sets a very high standard for a record 55 years old. With the initial clicks and some cover wear, not for the absolute purist or connoisseur. But rare enough to still consider for sure, it could still prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be highly recommended – this a rare opportunity and should please many collectors. But to be clear for the last time – it is not perfect as the gradings reiterate.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 17­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.