ULTRA RARE U.K. 50s(?) Set of 2 Recorded Sound Ltd/Society for International Folk Dancing 78s(?) of the Folk Dance Sextet (Catalogue References: Recorded Sound Ltd RSL 909/910/911/912).  These appear to be a set with ‘Record One’ and ‘Record Two’ references on the labels.  Each side (of the four) has been assigned a Recorded Sound Ltd (RSL) Catalogue Number.  These are a complete mystery.  I’ve struggled to find any documentary reference to these.  I’m not even certain that they play @ 78 rpm as there are a couple of tracks each side however, they do appear to be shellac and not vinyl.  They were clearly pressed on behalf of the Society for International Folk Dancing as each, original brown sleeve is printed with this information.  I’m assuming that they have some relationship to Cecil Sharp House, London but this is just guessing.  Not much is known about Recorded Sound Ltd (see: ) however, I would guess it was a small studio which had the capability to custom press (like RG Jones, Morden etc.).  There is no obvious indication of when these were pressed but I’m assuming early-to-mid 1950s.  Each 78 comes with a complete set of inserts which provides notation and a lengthly description of how to dance to each track.  Record One has three inserts, one of which is single-sided and two of which are double-sided.  Record Two has two inserts which are both doubled-sided.  Obviously, these are incredibly rare.  Judging by the fact that no other sets appear to have come to light I can’t imagine that these were pressed in anything more than double-figures.  I don’t have the ability to play these (my 78 player is kaputt) however, I have purchased shellac records for myself in the past and I can tell that these haven’t seen heavy play.  I’d think each of these has been played a couple of times.  These actually came from the same place as the unsold shop stock which makes up a large percentage of what I’m currently selling.

CONDITION: EX (SHELLAC VISUAL) / VG+/EX (INSERTS): The shellac has been graded under an intense light.  There are no glaringly obvious marks however, I can tell that Record One (at least) has seen some play.  I’m not so sure about Record Two which arguably has a slightly superior sheen.  I don’t believe that either has seen heavy play.  There are limited small brown stains on the white sections of both labels (corresponding to fingerprints).  There are no chips or cracks, no indication that these have been placed under pressure and are about to fall apart.  I believe that these are in excellent condition.  The records have not broken through their original brown bags however, they will have to be shipped in these bags as I have no other 78 bags to place them in.  The inserts aren’t particularly fragile considering their age.  They display multiple original folds combined with creases which have occurred over the year.  There are limited water stains evident on both sets of inserts (i.e. the inserts from both Record One and Record Two) and odd brown marks from handling.  There are no tears and considering how exposed they are I think it is fair to say that they remain in solid condition.  This is an incredibly rare set.  Are there any others out there?

SPECIFIC NOTE ON POSTAGE: I will do what I can to safely package these items being that they are fragile.  This accounts for the slightly higher U.K. postage charges.  Overseas buyers should be aware that being shellac these are relatively weighty.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.

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