AFRICAN RECORDING from Congo - pIn 1947, 70 years ago, the public discovered one of the first sound recordings of Pygmy music collected in Equatorial Africa by the French ethnomusicologist .

These were recorded during the Ogooué-Congo Mission, a scientific expedition led by the 23-year old French ethnologist . This mission was the first organised by the , a collective of young French explorers from Paris’ .

From July to December 1946, the 12 members of the expedition travelled across the former Middle Congo (the current Republic of the Congo) and Gabon. They spent six weeks completely immersed in Bambinga Pygmy tribes from the Haute Sangha region, in the North of Moyen Congo - an experience that turned out to be decisive for some of them.

NOTE SHIPPING AT COST (USPS Media or International 1st Class) $2 additional for new packing materials etc.  NOTE I HAVE ACQUIRED the RECORD COLLECTION FROM the Ebay seller The loverpa99 -- many dealers stock and nearly new copies -- mostly jazz but some blues and ethnic.  Check my Ebay listing and my forthcoming VJM list for these items THANKS 

I HAVE HANDLED SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST JAZZ/BLUES?COUNTRY COLLECTIONS> Let me handle yours: IMMEDIATE CASH PAID FOR TOP QUALITY 78s Colletions. Or very competitive consignment terms. 
I AM HAPPY TO HOLD PACKAGES, ESPECIALLY FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS.  IF YOU WANT ME TO HOLD, PLEASE SEND ME A MESSAGE AND PAY THE INVOICE TO AVOID NEGATIVE EBAY NOTICE.  INVOICE FOR SUBSEQUENT WINS WILL HAVE ADJUSTED POSTAL CHARGES .

The VJM Record Grading System is an internationally-used and recognized system for grading both 78s and LPs. It is used by virtually all serious record dealers and collectors alike, with an easily understood sequence of letters to show grades and a system of abbreviations to show faults and damage. The VJM Record Grading System.N (78)  As new and unplayed (there are virtually no 78s that can categorically be claimed to be unplayed).N- (78)  Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.E+ (78) Plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.E  (78) Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.E- (78)  Still shiny but without the lustre of a new record, few light scratches.  LP: Some wear, scratches and scuffs, but no skipped or repeat grooves.V+ (78)  V+ is an average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced. LP: Below average with scuffs and scratches on fewer than half the tracks. No skips or repeat grooves.V (78)  Moderate, even wear throughout, but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.V- (78) Quite playable still, but distortion and heavy graying in loud passages. Music remains loud in most passages. Surface noise and scratches well below music level. LP: Lowest Grade. Audible scratches, etc. on more than half the tracks. Listening uncomfortable.G+ (78). Grey throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. Heavy scratches.G (78). Quite seriously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.G- (78). Music still prominent, but wear and scratch damage extensive.F (78). Most of music remains audible over surface noise, but listening now uncomfortable.P (78). Unplayable.NB: Damage to labels and jackets (LP) should be noted whenever present.Abbreviationssfc = surface; lbl = label; nap = not affecting play; scr/scrs = scratch/scratches; lc or lam  = lamination crack; cr = crack; gv/gvs = groove/grooves; hlc/hc = hairline crack; wol = writing on label; sol = sticker on label; fade = faded label; gr/grs = groove/grooves; eb = edge bite; ec = edge chip; ef = edge flake; cvr = cover; s = stereo; rc= rim chip; rf = rough; aud/inaud = audible/inaudible; lt = light.
SHIPPINGUSA shipping method is media mail $5 to $6  for one 10" or 12" record. often we are able to get up to 3 records safely in a domestic/media mail box without adjusting the fee.International varies between $26 and $34 for up to 3 78s, depending upon destination.I ship anywhere, but because of increasingly aggressive and careless customs officials, overseas parcels must be insured.