Here we are looking at Teddy Wilson and Billie Holiday on 10 inch, Columbia #CL 6040.
This one is all here, but has taken some wear from being played, and loved no doubt. The front cover looks good, and the back is showing some age but is still solid – though there is a little tear on the bottom left corner, which I zoomed in a picture. There is a bit of rubbing to each side, showing more on the back than the front.
The problem with the cover, is splitting is starting, and goes about halfway on both the top and the bottom edges. I took a pic again to show it. In the plastic cover it doesn’t matter, but it is there, so the cover grading at G+ feels very fair to me. You can read all the liner notes on the back, and the front shows very well for sure. The pictures show the cover wear accurately.
The record was in a period consistent Columbia paper sleeve, however, a 10 inch like this did not come in a paper sleeve, so someone did that later. These records came only in the cardboard outer. I will put this in a new paper sleeve, because the old paper one is cool, but not helping the record any. I have a clean one to put it in.
The labels show some wear, and more importantly, there is some activity noted around the spindle hole on both sides…so it has been played. This held consistent with my play test. Labels still legible, and clean-ish but with wear.
The wax on both sides showed light scuffing throughout…and yep, it crackles like you’re at a firepit all the way through it. However, it is worse in the beginning and then the record mellows, and personally, I didn’t care, because the playing is so wonderful. The surface noise is not overpowering to me, but it is ever present. I expect it on a rare one like this, and I also collect 78s, so my personal toleration level is high for residual crackle.
But it is clearly noted that this one has surface noise as a constant – how much of it, varies. It is worst at the beginning of the record. It never skips, at least it never did for me. I never cared about the crackle, but some people will not tolerate it. The play test clipped is meant to alleviate any guesswork…it IS the way it plays.
I really loved playing this one – Teddy is ripping, and Billie sounds like she is simply having a great time. It is loose, but tight as a drum – I can see why this one is in demand, no matter the condition. I wish this one was less worn, but it is worn from being played…it was well stored, but well loved. It is, what it is – I am only trying to report what I see and hear. Judge for yourself, below.
Click any image to see it larger – the clip was of the worst part of the record. If you are OK there, you will be OK with the rest of it for sure.
