Sold Date: February 3, 2015
Start Date: January 27, 2015
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 772
Buyer Feedback: 18

We pack items very carefully (check feedback) and do not accept returns due to shipping damages.  If you'd like postal insurance, let us know before finalizing payment, and we'll add it to your invoice.  Insurance is not available for USPS First Class International, but is available for USPS Priority Mail International (for most countries).

RCA VICTOR RED VINYL 10" 78 RPM ONE SIDED TEST PRESSING, ETCHED REVERSE

French bass POL PLANCON sings an aria from Adolphe Adams one-act vaudeville comic-opera, LE CHALET:  "Vallons de l'Hevetie," with piano accompaniment.  Recorded February 27, 1904, in New York City.  (Victor matrix B-1050.)

Plancon (the "c" is pronounced like an "s") was "renowned for his exquisite legato singing as well as for his crisp diction, limpid tone, precise intonation, and virtuosic mastery of ornaments and fioriture. While not huge, his voice was of penetrating character, making a consistently positive impression in such large theatres as the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.  It always moved with exemplary suppleness, allowing him to execute flawless trills and rapid scale passages with remarkable precision and suavity." - wikipedia

On the back "label," noted in ink, is "IRCC-25-B."  That stands for the International Record Collectors Club.  Doing some research, I believe no. 25 was released circa 1945.  This is the first time I've been able to date a test pressing of an early recording, even if it is approximate.

The grooved side has one scratch that surprisingly produced no ticks.  There's also four little dimples.  Surface noise is low but present.  The reverse is beautifully etched with the RCA Victor logo in a spider-web design.  There's one small black spot in the red vinyl.  Heavy-duty collector sleeve has no tears or splits.

NOTE:  I DONT GRADE LABELS -- see pictures for that information.  I use the eBay record grading system when listing 78's, which is mostly based on visual observation of the wax, shellac, or vinyl.  KEEP IN MIND THAT ALMOST ALL OLD 78's HAVE SURFACE NOISE WHEN PLAYED ON MODERN EQUIPEMENT (except the extremely well-made records).  It's only distracting surface noise, as well as ticks, pops, clicks or jumps, that may affect grading.    

ALL THE RECORDS I LIST COME FROM ONE COLLECTION, THAT OF JAMES M. KENNEY OF NEW WINDSOR, MARYLAND.  HE WAS ONE OF THE EAST COAST'S LARGEST AUDIO AND ELECTRONICS COLLECTORS.

BUY IT NOW SALES POLICY:  THIS ITEM IS BEING SOLD AS-IS.   Your satisfaction is my goal.  If you want additional information, or more pictures, please contact me.  I price competitively for value.  Don't hesitate to make an offer ( BUY-IT-NOW sales only) if that option is in the listing. 

AUCTION SALES POLICY: THIS ITEM IS BEING AS-IS.   Additional information or pictures will be sent upon request.   Please remember that once a bid has been entered,  I cannot revise a listing.  TO BE FAIR TO ALL, I DO NOT END AUCTIONS EARLY.

YOUR BID IS A CONTRACT.   If you are the winning bidder,  you will enter into a legally binding contract to buy the item.  I am patient in waiting for payment, but after 7 days I will send an unpaid item to eBay's resolution center, unless communication is on-going with the buyer.  Buy-It-Now sales must be paid immediately (see invoicing below).

INVOICING:   If you'd like combined shipping rates, or if you'd like any shipping changes (upgraded shipping,  insurance, or signature confirmation), finalize payment AFTER you receive my invoice.  Otherwise,  please go ahead and make payment per EBAY's policies.  

SHIPPING:   All shipping will originate from MD 21762 by USPS.   I cannot ship on Saturdays after 12 noon, Sundays, and U.S. national holidays. 

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:  Please do not ask me to circumnavigate custom and duty laws.  I will work with you to find the least expensive shipping costs.  See INVOICING above.  RUSSIAN FEDERATION BUYERS:  Currently there is a minimum 60-day backlog at customs at the Moscow International Airport, mainly for Russian buyers using foreign websites.   UKRAINE BUYERS:  USPS has suspended service to Ukraine postal codes 95000 - 99999.  PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF CHINA BUYERS:  I personally have experienced at least a two week delay with some buyers receiving items.

PAYMENTS ARE MADE THROUGH EBAY OR PAYPAL.   I will not ship until payment is confirmed.  Local pick-ups must PAYPAL first. 

SHIPPING DAMAGE RETURNS:  Despite my best effort to pack carefully (SEE MY FEEDBACK), things can happen is shipping, and I will not replace the product or offer a  refund for shipping damage.  See insurance and invoicing above.

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