Sold Date: December 14, 2023
Start Date: December 7, 2023
Final Price: $31.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 3
Seller Feedback: 9631
Buyer Feedback: 0

The story of Huddie Ledbetter, aka Leadbelly (or Lead Belly), is a story of tenacity and persistence in overcoming obstacles. The performer was “discovered” by John Lomax while he was in prison for murder.  Lomax worked with him to record hundreds of songs while still in prison, and then supported him after his release.  He was a fabulous musician on several instruments, and he had a beautiful and powerful voice.  This collection is the fourth in a series of albums highlighting the artist’s brilliance. The album was released on Stinson Records in 1952, number SLP 51. This is the original release of the album.  The album is pressed on beautiful red transparent vinyl. The vinyl is in exceptional condition with its bright original luster and just a few very light surface scratches that do not significantly impact play. It plays beautifully with just very light sporadic background noise. The vinyl grades VG. The album cover shows a tiny hint of ring wear and no corner or edge wear.  All seams are clean, sharp, tight, and intact. There is some discoloration along the bottom and open sides. The cover grades VG+.

Track List:

The Boll Weevil

Ain't Going Down To The Well No Mo / Go Down Old Hannah

Franki And Albert

Fannin Street

Bourgeois Blues

Looky Looky Yonder / Black Betty / Yellow Women's Door Bells

Poor Howard / Green Corn

The Gallis Pole

De Kalb Women

Grading Information:

I always clean and then listen to every record I list on eBay. I do this to make sure I can give as accurate a description of each record as possible.  I do both a visual check and an audio check. I always attempt to give as objective a grading as I can. I don’t ever want you to be disappointed in the quality of the album you receive.

I use four grades in grading:  NM, VG+, VG, and G.  The only exception is a sealed album which is presumed to have vinyl in mint condition. Sealed albums may not be returned. My NM grading means that the vinyl looks and plays as though it is the first time out of the sleeve. The VG+ rating is used on any album that plays great but has one or two small defects.  It may have a pop here and there or some occasional background static. On a VG album you can expect that, typically, this album will play great, but you’ll see more defects on this than your VG+ rated album.  Most often the VG rated album may even play well enough to be graded VG+, but the color or blemishes drop the grading.  Likewise, you may occasionally find an album that looks almost NM but the sound quality just isn’t there. That’s why I play every album first, because this does happen.  In this case the vinyl will be graded VG. 

Occasionally I will list an album with a grade of G. This is one where I consider the collectible value of the album to be great enough that the copy being presented is worth owning as a filler copy. Albums graded G are not returnable.

Shipping Information – Combined Shipping:

The shipping cost will be based on the weight of your package. For Media Mail, shipping is $6.00 in the continental U.S. The US Postal Service has raised the price of media mail twice since the last time I adjusted my shipping charge. I’m sorry to have to do this, but it is necessary once again. I will happily combine records from multiple auctions to reduce total shipping cost. In fact, I welcome it!  Shipping will be $6.00 in the U.S regardless of the number of auctions won in any 5-day period.

Canada shipping is calculated based on weight using US Postal Service rates.  Combined shipping is also welcomed here and does result in significant per-album cost savings. The first album will typically cost approximately $24. Additional albums will be shipped for $6 per album, with up to four pounds able to be shipped before we need to use International Priority shipping. At that point we will work together on final determination of shipping cost.

Shipments to outside the US and Canada will vary depending on your country. Typically, the cost per album will be no more than $30.  Combined shipping is welcome here as well, at a cost of $10 per additional album up to the maximum of four pounds.

All albums will be shipped in specially designed album hard cardboard mailers with a cardboard insert to prevent damage upon opening.  The vinyl is removed from the cover and presented in a new poly sleeve.  I am committed to one day turnaround on shipments.  If I receive payment before 7:00 AM Central Time I will package and ship that same day.

Thanks for looking and please contact me with any questions.