ABBOTT & COSTELLO "WHO'S ON FIRST" RARE 1947 10" 78-RPM PRESSING ENTERPRISE 501

$

36

ABBOTT & COSTELLO "WHO'S ON FIRST" RARE 1947 10" 78-RPM PRESSING ENTERPRISE RECORDS ~ HOLLYWOOD 
ABBOTT & COSTELLO "WHO'S ON FIRST" LABEL:  ENTERPRISE RECORDS INC. # 501 ~ HOLLYWOOD, CAL  RELEASED: 1947 RARE 10" 78-RPM RECORDING Who's On First (Part A) / Who's On First (Part B) MATRIX (Stamped) (SIDE A): 501-A   (SIDE B): 501-B
CONDITION: VG+  CLEAN & BRIGHT ~ DISPLAYS GREAT!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I've been going thru my massive vinyl record collection these past few weeks and pulling out some LPs and other records that I thought that someone else would want for their collection. I've been collecting records for over 45 years and it's time to pass some of them on to the next generation of collectors.
This week on EBay I am offering up this classic 1947 recording of Abbott & Costello's timeless "Who's On First?" comedy routine.
I collect 'normal' vinyl LP's and 45's, but I've also built up a large collection of Jazz, R&B, and early Rock 78's. I've had this classic 78 for about 50 years, and since we are only temporary 'guardians' of these records, it's time to pass this one on to the next generation of vinyl collectors.
This record is still in quite good condition and I've taken great care of it for many decades. See details on the Condition below.
This record was a big unexpected hit at the time, so it was re-issued a year later, in 1948, on the much larger Castle Records label #1253. Those Castle versions are much easier to find than these original Enterprise versions.
Most copies of this Enterprise record have the word "Special" printed on the label next to the 'part A/B', but original First Pressings, like this copy, don't. The 'special' was added to denote that it was a limited edition, unique, fundraiser for Lou Costello's Foundation, not a 'regular' release. 
The record label is quite 'Deluxe' for a 1940's 78-rpm release.
It features both Bud Abbott and Lou Costello's faces and their facsimile signatures.
The bottom rim text states that proceeds from the sale of this record will go to support the 'Lou Costello Jr. Youth Foundation'.
Costello opened a center for delinquent teens in East L.A. after his son, Lou Jr., drowned in a pool accident in 1943. The Youth Foundation was aimed at helping delinquent teens change their environment and help them stay in school.
Lou Costello himself dropped out of school, was a troubled youth, had some Mafia and gang connections, and was a street boxer, before turning his life around to pursue acting and show business.
~~~~ This is a rare and very cool record that would make a great addition to any vinyl record collection.  It would also make a great addition to any Baseball themed collection or Hollywood Film Star collection.
This record has a fantastic label, displays great, and would look terrific in any collection. A rare record that rarely comes up for auction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND OF "WHO'S ON FIRST?"
"Who's on First?" is a classic comedy routine made famous by the duo of Abbott and Costello. 
Although it is commonly known as "Who's on First?", Abbott and Costello themselves frequently referred to it simply as "Baseball".
Most Historians claim that the root of the skit goes back to 1930's British Comedian Will Hay who performed a routine involving a schoolmaster interviewing an English schoolboy named Howe, who came from Ware, but now lives in Wye. 
Bud Abbott has stated in interviews that he took the idea from an old stage routine called "Who's the Boss." In that sketch, the Boss was named Who, and his employees were What, Ida Know, Hee and Issy. 
In American Burlesque and Vaudeville shows, the clever word-play of skits like "Who's the Boss" took on an American Sports team and Baseball type of presentation. 'Baseball' types of routines were rather common by the mid 1930's.
~~~ The premise of the "Who's on First?" sketch is that Abbott is the manager of a baseball team and Costello is a fan who wants to know the players’ names.
Abbott sets up the sketch by telling Costello that sometimes ballplayers have funny nicknames. In the 1930's, when this routine was written, baseball players often had popular nicknames, like 'Dizzy', 'Scooter' and 'Leftie'. 
Abbott then proceeds to name the players for Costello; “Who’s on first, What’s on second, and I Don’t Know is on third....”
Costello doesn't comprehend that Abbott is stating, not asking, the players’ names. Cleverly, the players' last names also simultaneously serve as the basis for questions. (e.g., "Who is the first baseman?").
This leads to extensive, complex, back and forth wordplay, reciprocal misunderstanding, and growing frustration between the performers. 
Costello's ensuing confusion is compounded by some of the other player's names, such as "Why” in left field and “Tomorrow” as the pitcher.
Abbott's calm, direct explanations of the player's names and positions leave Costello hopelessly confused and infuriated.
This skit demonstrates masterful comedic timing.
Costello develops a hilarious, slow burn, frustration as he becomes more confused. His growing outward frustration is perfectly balanced by Abbott's exceedingly calm, truthful, corrective responses to Costello's questions.
Their interplay, and perfect timing, drives the skit forward to comedic heights rarely matched by other performers. It's a classic for good reason.
During the routine, the name of the shortstop, 'I Don't Give a Darn' is not given until the very end, acting as a punch line and wrap up to the sketch.
At the end of the routine, Costello finally spits out a line of confusing gibberish, which, unintentionally, gets everyone's name and position correct.
The names given in the routine for the players at each position are:
POSTION           PLAYER First base          Who Second base    What Third base       I Don't Know Left field           Why Pitcher          Tomorrow Catcher            Today Shortstop  I Don't Give a Darn
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Who's on First?" is a classic, timeless, hilarious comedy sketch.
Abbott and Costello started performing their 'Baseball' routine in the late 1930's, developing, honing and perfecting the sketch over the next few years.
The routine was polished and perfected on their 1937 'Hollywood Bandwagon' theatrical tour.
In early 1938, the comedy duo joined the 'Kate Smith Hour' radio program on CBS where they first performed the sketch on National Radio in March 1938. 
At first, the on-stage comedy bit was far too “visual” for the ears-only medium of radio and it didn't carry over the airwaves very well, although it was a big hit. 
The routine was further tweaked and polished for radio performances. The team changed up their voices, re-arranged some of the wording, and it soon became an iconic radio sketch.
It was an huge hit with audiences and created a huge demand for the comedic duo, live in person, on the radio, and on the big screen.
Abbott and Costello would go on to star in their own radio and TV series, as well as make nearly 40 films (including the classic “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”.)
~~~ In 1940, they performed the 'Baseball' routine at the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, one of several command performances for President Roosevelt, who loved the comedy routine.
Abbott and Costello performed "Who's on First?" hundreds of times in their careers. Each time, it followed a general plot, but almost every performance was slightly different and unique.
Despite many performances, there's actually very few recordings of it, about a dozen, that still exist today. This record is one of those rare performances.
It was an ingenious and hilariously funny routine that most people still recognize and appreciate today. The pair copyrighted "Who's on First?" in 1944. 
The duo performed an extended version of the skit in their 1945 film 'The Naughty Nineties' and that particular version is considered their 'classic' and best rendition.
In 1956, a golden yellow colored vinyl pressing of "Who's on First" was released and a copy of that record is on display in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, NY. Next to it, a video screen plays their version of the routine from the 'Naughty Nineties' film.
~~~~~~~~~~ The “Who’s On First?” sketch is an American cultural touchstone. The classic routine has been repeated and parodied many times over the decades, in all forms of media, and has become a well-loved comic staple.
In a 1999 Millennial Issue, Time magazine called it "The Best Comedy Sketch of the 20th Century".
An early recording of the sketch is enshrined in the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry.
(THANKS TO CARY O'DELL, RON PALUMBO, AND THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS FOR THEIR HELP WITH MY WRITE-UP.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONDITION: I tried to show good hi-resolution photos of the labels and "vinyl" in my pictures.
I stumbled across this record back in the mid 70's, 50 years ago, in Greenwich Village, on one of my regular vinyl digs in those days, and have taken great care of it since. I was digging for Jazz 78's, but found this record and couldn't leave it behind.
VINYL: This is a 78-rpm Shellac record. The "vinyl" still looks decent. Clean, bright and not 'grey' and worn. It has some evidence of play but still a fantastic copy. No significant scuffs, scratches, or dings.  I'll call it VG+. 
The Deadwax has simple stamped "501-A/501-B" matrix numbers and nothing else. 
'Enterprise' was a very short-lived label, lasting just 1 year, 1946-47. I think it was more of a "mafia" tax label than anything else. They only made about a dozen records.  Their address was in the 8,000 block of Santa Monica Blvd, in the Hollywood area of L.A.
I tried to show some close-up pictures of the record surface to show how good it looks. Not perfect, but clean, and I'm sure you'll be happy with it. This is a record more for display and cultural history than playing, but I'm sure it will play fine if you want to hear Abbott & Costello's classic sketch.
I haven't messed with it or cleaned it, other than my trusty 'DiscWasher' brush, in 50 years, since Nixon was in ofice. It would benefit from a good deep cleaning to make it even bettter looking and better sounding than it already is.
Remember, this is a 78-rpm record. DON'T try to play this with a regular modern phonograph needle.  It requires a needle that can play old 78's. 
LABELS: The deluxe labels are the coolest thing about this record. Enterprise records had deep blue labels, but this has a nice custom white label with pictures of Bud & Lou, and their signatures.
The labels are clean and bright. Some evidence of play around the spindle holes, but nice clean bright labels that would look great on display. A very unique, one of a kind, record.
JACKET: This was found with a tattered plain sleeve. I've never seen an Enterprise company sleeve and I don't think there was one. This record has a clean, old, 70's paper sleeve that I put it in 50 years ago.  The sleeve is clean and bright and has protected this disc well. 
This record has been poly sleeved and stored properly for Decades, and is still quite nice for an early 1947 pressing. A nice survivor.
Overall, I'll call the whole record VG+, but a rare. cool, decent original 1947 pressing.
You can see from my pictures it's still quite decent.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is a rare and very cool record that would make a great addition to any vinyl record collection.  It would also make a great addition to any Baseball themed collection or Hollywood Film Star collection. This record has a fantastic label, displays great, and would look terrific in any collection.
A rare record that rarely comes up for auction.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ ** NOTE: I'm selling this rare 'Collector' record "AS IS" and "NO RETURN". It's rare and as described and I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. A very cool, collectible record.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I’m recently retired and downsizing and letting go some gems and rarities from nearly 45 years of vinyl record collecting. Check out the many other fantastic 45s and 33s coming soon to my page!
All records have been carefully evaluated and graded by me. I visually inspect all records under bright light, personally gently clean them with a soft cloth and then, if unsure, play them on a modern high-end turntable to get a true picture of condition. 
Please look at all the high-resolution pictures I added. They are all my own and are of the actual record being sold. The pictures are part of the description and can show small details, label variations, and condition better than I can put into words. 
My grading is fair and honest. I have had over 3,500 happy and satisfied EBay customers over the years, with 100% positive feedback, and I have been buying/selling on EBay for nearly 30 years, so please bid with confidence!
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THANK YOU for looking and reading if you got this far.  -- JOHN