1945 Original issue records Merry Christmas Bing Crosby 78 RPM album DECCA A-403
$
25
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Description
THIS IS NOT A GEFFEN RELEASE FROM 2014; PAY NO ATTENTION TO THE ABOVE INFO.
True 1945 first-pressing of the famous "Merry Christmas" album by Bing Crosby. This set has 4 78 RPM records (one is missing). One record has a huge crack through half of it. Others are in OK condition. I was able to play one and it sounded pretty much like a 71-year old phenolic record. Record jacket in nice shape, save for some binding issues on the edge (see photo). All sleeves are intact, no staining. Some writing on the inside cover (dated 1945). According to Wikipedia, these first pressing contain a different version of "White Christmas" than is found on later reissues of this album: "...Decca issued a second edition in this format in 1947, catalogue Decca A-550, consisting of four 78s, omitting recordings of "Danny Boy" and "Let's Start the New Year Right" from the previous release, and including new recordings of "White Christmas" and "Silent Night" from March 19, 1947. This recording of "White Christmas," heard on every subsequent pressing, is actually a re-recording of the song as, in an unprecedented occurrence, the 1942 master had actually worn out and was no longer usable. Decca and Crosby undertook the remake with the same orchestra and chorus, in an attempt to re-create the original May 1942 recording as closely as possible. The original recording of "White Christmas" to this date, has never been stamped on LP records or 45 rpm singles."
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