ARIA - ALEKO (RACHMANINOFF) Estate find, read on... US seller, these records are usually found emanating from Eastern Europe, Ukraine, Bulgaria etc...I'm in Upstate New York, not as exciting or glamorous, but at least - for shipping purposes - it's in the same country as you may well be to start with... * The details for this record are all in Cyrillic, which tragically I have about 1% fluency in, but, luckily, at some distant point in the past the original owner - who appears to be much more at home with the language of the Steppes than I am, kindly labelled his 78rpm sleeves with what seems like fairly accurate translations, so the details I am using for performers, titles and any other incidentals have been taken from the 'sleeve notes'... So, for your consideration, it's what looks like a 1940's, maybe earlier, 10" 78rpm, Made In The Soviet Union (that's the only English on the label, probably made for export) with the rest of the details in Cyrillic, each side of the labels has a library index sticker, which may come off with persuasion - I'd leave it - and, from the details handwritten on the sleeve we appear to have the following... - Two selections from the Rachmaninoff Opera, Aleko - Singer, Andrei Ivanov - The Orchestra of the State Opera, USSR - Conducted by Nikolai Golovanov - Come in the original CCCP sleeve, see pictures. Playtested, 100% Disc grading - VG Various pictures uploaded, disc front and rear - apologies for any tripod reflection - views of the sleeve and a view of each of the label details. Check 'em out, they're part of the description, too. You are looking at a listing for an item that is in excess of 75 years old. Surface noise and signs of antiquity, either visually or on playback are to be expected. Use the 'Scroll Over' feature for meticulous scrutiny of the condition of the item. Shellac disc. Released on - USSR Catalog number, taken from the label, 12730 / 12731 Duration - 6 minutes in total, approx. Matrix numbers - Side One - 1273013 F1166 Side Two - 1273113 F1166 Please read the record grading guide below and familiarize yourself with the grades used and be aware of the full description in all aspects. I strive to grade fairly, and have never sold a record without listening to it first. Visual grading is not an option at all. This approx. 75 year old 78rpm disc I have graded as being in Very Good condition. Both sides play through with no jumping, skipping or any other audio horrors. There are the usual minor hairline surface marks that any 78 of this vintage would accumulate over the passage of time, but they are mainly visual and have no obtrusive impact on playback. There is the expected low-level and generally non-intrusive surface noise, typically common to any used shellac disc of this vintage, and which shouldn't spoil your authentic listening experience! The labels are in good condition, light wear to the gold-tone ink, plus each side has an index sticker - see close-up pictures uploaded. The CCCP sleeve has worn and chipped corners, a 1/2" seam split plus some creasing - overall good, with vintage wear, as per age. Tracklisting - Side One - Aleko (Aria) Side Two - Aleko (Aria end) Any questions, email and I'll help if I can. Rare item, take a trip down Memory Lane... Thanks for looking! :o) Buy-it-Now, $49.99 Priority Mail service used for 78's, and this is included in the price, please note. Postage - USA - Free Shipping...nice! Overseas orders welcome - $35, wherever. * Records are posted in dedicated oversized record mailing boxes with 4 x corrugated cardboard stiffeners, and an abundance of large sized bubble wrap. GRADING GUIDE FOR 78rpm DISCS NM Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage. EX+ Plays like new, with few signs of handling. Minor scuffs visible. EX Very shiny, nearly new looking. No visible signs of wear, inaudible scuffs and scratches. VG++ Still shiny, but without the lustre of a new record. A few light scratches. Light wear. No skipping or sticking passages. VG+ Above average, undeniably vintage condition 78 in which scuffs and general use have dulled the finish of the disc. Wear is moderate, but playback is not overly affected, and is free from distortion. Light surface noise, commensurate with age. No skipping or sticking passages. VG Moderate, even wear throughout, still very playable. Surface noise and scratches, audible but not intrusive. Good++ Quite playable still, distortion on playback due to surface noise. Music remains loud, in most passages, with scratches and surface noise evident but below music level. Good+ Serviceable and acceptable playback. Music may sound muffled in some sections. Noticeably heavier scratches and surface marks. Good Quite obviously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise. Good- Music still prominent, with wear and scratches extensive. Fair Most of music remains audible over continual surface noise, although the vintage 78 experience is an uncomfortable affair. Collection filler material. Poor Unplayable, and most definitely of interest only to the most dedicated... |