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UK Gvd Decca SXL 2249 / London CS 6198 FACTORY SAMPLES Brahms Dvorak Reiner

Description

UK Gvd Decca SXL 2249 / London CS 6198 FACTORY SAMPLES Brahms Dvorak Reiner

This is one of a number of vinyl records from the 1950’s & 60’s listed this week which we no longer listen to. Little played, the records are still in very good condition, the covers sometimes less so.

Gradings are based on the “Record Collector Magazine's Guide” set out in the eBay Guides together with notes about condition added. Extracts from the Gramophone Magazine review written at the time of the record’s release are included, with the permission of the publishers, where these are available.

RECORD GRADING

EXCELLENT

Both these rare ‘Factory Sample’ records are in excellent condition and the sound on them is a great demonstration of the superb Decca sound. The area of the disc labels on both records are ‘grooved’ so I think it is safe to say these would have been Wide Band Grooved discs, as the sound of them certainly confirms. Both discs are very early pressings as their run-off ‘Stampers confirm.

Record 1 label is annotated ZAL 4029-1E. There appears to be no ‘Stamper’ in the run-off at 9 o’clock, but at 3 o’clock it is a ‘B’.  The surface has only a few light sleeve rubbings and no damaging marks anywhere. There are no spindle marks on the label. The surface is clean and bright and it plays with almost no surface noise. There is just a very, very occasional light tick. The sound quality really is superb.

Record 2 is annotated ZAL 4030-3E and both ‘Stampers’ are the earliest, a “1” and a “B”. Perhaps that’s why the records sound so superb. Like the first disc this one has only a few light sleeve rubbings and no damaging marks anywhere and plays equally well. In a word, stunningly.

Now for the very difficult bit, to which I do not know the answer. Are these UK Decca records or are they UK Decca London records?

These records have always been housed in the SXL 2249 cover, as its condition tends to confirm. The disc labels, however, are also annotated CS 6198, which is the ‘London’ number for the same recording.

Both the Decca and London records are stamped with ZAL numbers and I have seen both a London and a Decca of this recording which have exactly the same ZAL numbers as those annotated on these Factory sample labels. Are these therefore Decca’s or are they London’s or, because they carry the same Matrix numbers are they actually one and the same recording and the writing on the Factory Sample labels simply sates what they were intended to be labelled?

I therefore describe them as the recordings of Reiner conducting the VPO playing Brahms’ Hungarian and Dvorak’s Slavonic Dances on Decca Grooved Label discs marked as intended to be labelled CS 6198.

Whichever they actually are, they are a superb pair of records to listen to.

Since writing this I have discovered a very interesting webpage which seems to answer the above question – that the recording is almost certainly BOTH a Decca and a London. You may like to read it at:

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/10520-proof-that-decca-and-london-are-made-fro?in=user

COVER GRADING

GOOD

The cover, although structurally sound, has suffered as a result of housing both the width and the weight of two records. This has resulted in the two binding strips having to be re-glued at some stage in its life, not perhaps as well as it could have been done. The front is unmarked and the laminate intact but the record ring is visible. The back is a little age discoloured and has a couple of small marks. One corner is a little frayed.

I always listen to all the records I offer and try to give a clear description of any faults I see or hear

I have no wish for you to be disappointed by your purchase. If you think the grading/description was unfair or unreasonable when you receive the record, you may return it and you will have a full refund of all that you have paid me

All I require is that you contact me within 7 days of its receipt to tell me you intend to return it, and that I receive the record in the same condition as it was when it was sent to you

 MINT

Payment

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Shipping

Shipping to UK Buyers

• This will be by Royal Mail 1st Class Recorded which provides proof of postage, confirmation of delivery and up to £46 of insurance.
• Items with a final sale price greater than £46 will be sent by Royal Mail Special Next Day Delivery, with insurance cover up to £500

Shipping to International Buyers

• In the interest of all concerned this will be by  Royal Mail International Signed-for  OR Royal Mail Airsure service, dependant on the intended location, both of which provide proof of postage and confirmation of delivery. The packet will be sent with the appropriate level of insurance cover for its final auction price.

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IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT WHICH SERVICE TO PAY FOR - PLEASE CONTACT ME

• Items will be shipped as soon as payment has been received in my PayPal Account, or the Postal Order is received, or the cheque has been cleared

Shipping costs & Packaging

• I will always endeavour to ship as economically as possible, and I do not add any extra charge for the safe, secure packaging which will always be used

Combining Shipments

• I am happy to combine shipments, if requested, and will discuss and agree with the buyer the least expensive method to be used

Terms of Sale

Returns

• If you feel the item differs significantly from the description given in this Listing you may return it and receive reimbursement of the end-auction price and the shipping costs you paid
• I will honour this commitment provided that:
  • you make contact with me within 7 days of receiving the shipment to tell me you intend to return the item
  • the item is returned by the same Shipping method (signed for & insured), and
  • the item is received in the same condition as it was when it was despatched to you
• I do not normally pay for the cost of your returning the shipment to me unless, following communication, agreement is reached that I will do so

Contact Us

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• If you have questions, do please ask using the eBay Link provided and I will respond as quickly as possible.
• Try not to wait until the last day as there may not be sufficient time for me to give you an answer