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Welcome to my auctions of great records

This is my FIRST WEEK of 2 weeks of great auctions – I WILL PACK AND BILL YOUR RECORDS after the close on JUNE 9.

PLEASE DO NOT PAY before I send you an invoice.

International shipping: approx postage 1x10"=$25: 1x12"=$25 to $35: 10"Album 4 Rec=50$: 12" Album 2 Rec=50$
HOWEVER in most cases I can get you SIGNIFICANT savings by using other services. Pls contact me for a quote.

About 30% less to Canada. Pls ignore international postage displayed in Ebay, rates are too high

Please wait for me to send you an invoice. DO NOT USE EBAY CHECKOUT if you want the lowest possible postage.

A series of great early Opera performances: From 1902 G&Ts to 40s wartime German records:

ONE OF THE GREAT TROPHY RECORDS for the OPERA COLLECTOR:

GERALDINE FARRAR's 1904 - 6 FIRST Berlin G&Ts

Koenigliche Hofopernsaengerin GERALDINE FARRAR, after finishing her studies with Lilli Lehman,  had her stunning debut at the Berlin Royal Operahouse in 1901 as Marguerite in Gounods Faust and a much acclaimed Traviata. Being of great beauty, she became the top star in Berlin, premiering such notable operas as Madama Butterfly, Manon and the Kaiser's commission to Mascagni Roland of Berlin. She moved in the exalted court circles, and rumors of a dalliance with the Crown prince only improved her appeal.

Her  11 sides of 1904 - 06 Berlin G&Ts are prized for revealing a fresh voice of great beauty which already was diminished  in her subsequent Victor recordigns.

Here in  two great success roles as :

G&T, Berlin 1905-09-27
Mefistofele (Boito): L'altra notte in fondo al mare 53425 3800h
G&T, Berlin 1906-06-23
Traviata (Verdi): Follie! Follie!... Sempre libera 53469 1316r

A comment from the MARSTON CD reissue

But Farrar, especially in her Berlin recordings, could surprise and delight. In “L’altra notte” she does both. Farrar catches the anguish of the music in a voice suffused with intense feeling. She tosses off the crazed melismas rapidly and precisely and descends into a full chest voice with vigorous attack. This is one of Farrar’s great recordings. She suggests feverish abandon in both versions of “Sempre libera.”  There is spirit and energy in her singing but also technical polish in the scales and divisions. She attacks the high Cs confidently and sustains them with ease. There is light but not much shade in her singing. But the vocal fireworks blaze brightly.

 Kapellmeister Bruno Seidler-Winkler conducting

Even better is ôDie Letzte Rose.öFarrar ennobles this simple Volkslied through the delicacy and restraint of her interpretation. Singing artlessly but artfully, Farrar traces the unadorned melodic line with touching honesty, adding intensity to the top notes and some delicate shading to sustained tones.

 

10" Concert Record Grammophone with raised rim double sided 78 rpm record

Condition:

 VERY GOOD PLUS  PLUS, very clean, few light grey spots, plays very quiet light hiss, light fuzziness on top notes, on Notte blasting on final note. Still a great copy

from

Geraldine Farrar

Geraldine Farrar made her first records in Berlin for the Gramophone and Typewriter Ltd. in 1904. Although the exact recording dates are unknown, discographic sources indicate that nineteen sides were recorded over three or possibly four sessions. These comprised fifteen titles and four re-takes. All nineteen sides were assigned catalogue numbers and ostensibly published, though to my knowledge, only eleven have ever surfaced. These 1904 G&Ts are unquestionably FarrarÆs rarest records and most of the extant copies are only in average condition. The Manon ôGavotteö is particularly scarce and, unfortunately, both available copies possessed worn grooves causing severe noise on FarrarÆs loudest notes. Especially notable among these recordings are the excerpts from LeoncavalloÆs opera Roland, often referred to in error as Roland von Berlin. Sadly, only five sides have come to light, although twelve were actually recorded. These included two solos plus seven duets and three re-takes with tenor Wilhelm Grⁿning. The extant sides are presented here in musical sequence rather than by matrix. It should also be mentioned that two sides were transposed down a semi-tone presumably for the comfort of Heir Grⁿning. Over the following two years, Geraldine Farrar recorded an additional fourteen sides all of which were published and are presented here in matrix order. Taken as a group, Geraldine FarrarÆs G&T discs are undoubtedly her finest recordings. Despite the limitations of acoustic recording, these discs convey the force of FarrarÆs magnetic personality which was to be a hallmark of her persona throughout her professional career. They also allow us to hear the buoyant vitality of her voice which, alas, would fade all too soon.

But Farrar, especially in her Berlin recordings, could surprise and delight. In ôLÆaltra notteö she does both. Farrar catches the anguish of the music in a voice suffused with intense feeling. She tosses off the crazed melismas rapidly and precisely and descends into a full chest voice with vigorous attack. This is one of FarrarÆs great recordings. She suggests feverish abandon in ôSempre libera.ö There is spirit and energy in her singing but also technical polish in the scales and divisions. She attacks the high Cs confidently and sustains them with ease. There is light but not much shade in her singing. But the vocal fireworks blaze brightly.

More Great Records on sale right now:

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A Quick NOTE ON GRADING AND SHIPPING:

As you can see from my feedback, I try hard to earn your POSITIVE FEEDBACK and FIVE STAR RATINGS.

If for any reason your transaction was NOT SATISFACTORY, pls contact me and I will work something out with you. YOU WILL NEVER HAVE A REASON TO GIVE ME A NEGATIVE RATING or a LOW STAR RATING.

Quick note on grading:

The Grade (Excellent to Poor, I don't give Mint) refers to the WEAR of the record. Any other defects are stated separately

When I listen to a record, I may also give it an aural grade (again E to P), and make a SUBJECTIVE judgment of the pressing quality for hiss and surface noise.
"SUPERQUIET" is basically noiseless, like a vinyl pressing.
"VERY QUIET" is an exceptionally quiet record for a given pressing.
"Quiet" is a record that is a great example without undue noise for a give pressing.

These judgments are SUBJECTIVE and will depend one the styli, phonograph etc. you use on your own equipment.

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US Domestic Shipping:

Here is a guideline for US Media Mail Shipping:

Prices below are for regular 78 rpm records. Up to about 5 records, I will ship Edison Discs for the same rates. Albums from Album Sets count as 1 record. Above that and for international shipments, it will be actual weight plus a small packing charge (1-3$ depending on size of shipment)

1 record: 4.75 – 5.50$

2 records: 6.50$

5 records: 8.00$

10 records: 12.00$

MANY MORE RECORDS: Don't worry. I safely ship 40 - 50 pounds of records double boxed in moving boxes, and even then Media Mail will probably not exceed 35$.

Please send me a message if you would like to lower your shipping rates!

I am very happy to ship records worldwide.

Please use the EBAY shipping cost only as a guideline. My actual charges are usually lower

One record usually ships for 25$ for 10" 25-35$ for most 12" records (Less for Canada).

For certain destinations I can get SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER rates from FedEx and the US Postal service for any kind of parcel weight, and will make use of all the cost-saving shipment methods

Pls contact me for a shipping estimate, or send me an invoice request after close of auction. 

AND AGAIN -THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST

As you can see from my feedback, I take great care in presenting, grading and shipping your items. I really want you to be happy with the purchase. If you feel that anything is wrong with the item or the shipping, contact me and we will work it out !!!

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Thank you very much, and good luck bidding !!!