ARCHER GIBSON ~ 12" 78rpm ~ RARE NBC PROMOTIONAL HISTORY ITEM ~ 1930's / '40's

Playtested, 100%

Disc grading - VG

4 pictures uploaded, disc front and rear - apologies for any tripod reflection - and a view of each of the label details. Check 'em out, they're part of the description, too.

You are looking at a listing for an item that is in excess of 70 years old. Surface noise and signs of antiquity, either visually or on playback are to be expected.

Use the 'Scroll Over' feature for meticulous scrutiny of the condition of the item.

Plenty of varying information on the two labels for this disc, plus some clues within the content itself...it's a Christmas-themed 12" shellac 78rpm disc, possibly dating from 1937, with two sides of NBC-related material...

One side features a musical introduction, followed by a spoken introduction, in turn followed by NBC President, Lenox Lohr delivering a 3 minute speech, basically an NBC mission statement, as well as the side being used as a trailer for a series of upcoming concerts, with Arturo Toscanini involved...

The other side is a couple of Christmas carols, played by New Yorks fabled Millionaire's Maestro, Archer Gibson, who may well be responsible for the organ playing on the other side, too...

..and the label dedication to Mr WS Hedges is a mystery, as yet unsolved, theories abound...

It's a total rarity, with any number of collectible aspects, NBC, a rare label, US broadcast history and Archer Gibson, himself.

Shellac disc.

Released on - On The NBC Record

Catalog number, taken from the label, CS 017706 & CS 0177396

US issue.

Duration -  8 minutes in total, approx.

Matrix numbers - CS 017706-1 & CS 0177396

Please read the record grading guide below and familiarize yourself with the grades used and be aware of the full description in all aspects.

I strive to grade fairly, and have never sold a record without listening to it first.

Visual grading is not an option at all.

This approx. 84 year old 78rpm disc I have graded as being in Very Good condition. Both sides play through with no jumping, skipping or any other audio horrors. There are the usual minor hairline surface marks that any 78 of this vintage would accumulate over the passage of time, a very slight rise and fall of the 12" disc, but none of this has any obtrusive impact on playback. 

There is the expected low-level and generally non-intrusive surface noise, typically common to any used shellac disc of this vintage, and which shouldn't spoil your authentic listening experience!

The labels are in good condition, with no major defects, see close-up pictures uploaded. 

Some small marks are on the shellac, near the final runout groove of the 'Christmas...' side, not in the playback area, it might be noted.

Tracklisting -

Side One - Christmas Greetings to Mr WS Hedges

Side Two - Oh Come, All Ye Faithful and Silent Night, Holy Night Played especially for NBC by Archer Gibson, organist.

Any questions, email and I'll help if I can.

Rare item, take a trip down Memory Lane...

Thanks for looking!

:o)

Buy-it-Now, $58.50

Priority Mail service used for 78's, and this is included in the price, please note.

Postage - USA - Free Shipping...nice!

Overseas orders welcome - $35, wherever.

* Records are posted in dedicated oversized record mailing boxes with 4 x corrugated cardboard stiffeners, and an abundance of large sized bubble wrap.

GRADING GUIDE FOR 78rpm DISCS

NM Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.

EX+ Plays like new, with few signs of handling. Minor scuffs visible.

EX Very shiny, nearly new looking. No visible signs of wear, inaudible scuffs and scratches.

VG++ Still shiny, but without the lustre of a new record. A few light scratches. Light wear. No skipping or sticking passages.

VG+ Above average, undeniably vintage condition 78 in which scuffs and general use have dulled the finish of the disc. Wear is moderate, but playback is not overly affected, and is free from distortion. Light surface noise, commensurate with age. No skipping or sticking passages.

VG Moderate, even wear throughout, still very playable. Surface noise and scratches, audible but not intrusive.

Good++ Quite playable still, distortion on playback due to surface noise. Music remains loud, in most passages, with scratches and surface noise evident but below music level.

Good+ Serviceable and acceptable playback. Music may sound muffled in some sections. Noticeably heavier scratches and surface marks.

Good Quite obviously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.

Good- Music still prominent, with wear and scratches extensive.

Fair Most of music remains audible over continual surface noise, although the vintage 78 experience is an uncomfortable affair. Collection filler material.

Poor Unplayable, and most definitely of interest only to the most dedicated...