BURL IVES HOLLY JOLLY BING CROSBY RUDOLPH BRENDA LEE ROCKIN AROUND MCA 1980 XMAS

$

24

     This auction is for a Christmas '45 single lot that includes three Christmas classics;  BURL IVES -- A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS /// BING CROSBY -- RUDOLPH THE REDNOSED REINDEER /// BRENDA LEE -- ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE!   ALL '45s are in excellent condition.  These are the re-releases put out on the MCA record label in 1980, and all come in their original MCA color sleeves. MCA owned Decca Records, which all the above were originally released on.  As of 2003, MCA/Decca were no more.  They were absorbed by Geffen/Universal.

     BURL IVES -- A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS / SNOW FOR JOHNNY -- Catalogue number MCA-31695, 114,508 / 114,520.  The A-side is of course one of the greatest Christmas songs ever, from the beloved stop-motion animated film "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer".  Originally released in 1964 with the same B-side.  There is a small, light surface scratch on the B-side that does not affect playback.   (The sleeve for this record has a few tears around the bottom part of the round cutout...see photo #8.)  Photos #2 and #3 shows the Burl Ives record.

     BING CROSBY -- RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER / I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY -- Catalogue number MCA 38056, L5695 / L9585.  I believe this version was first released in 1950.  This copy has a label variation on the A-side listing.  I have seen some copies with the title listed at the top...this one has it listed above the singers name at the bottom.  Photos #4 and #5.  There is a small surface scratch on the B-side.  You MAY hear a few pops VERY low in the mix near the end.  I listened to every record through headphones, but if you're playing this on a record player or jukebox, you will not notice.

     BRENDA LEE -- ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE / PAPA NOEL -- Catalogue number MCA 65027, 105,877 / 105,876.  Apparently, this was first released in 1958...then 1959...but didn't become a big hit until 1960, after Brenda Lee had become a pop star.     There is a small red/white "Sample Copy" label affixed to the A-side label (see photo #9).  Photos #6 and #7.

     ALL records were play-tested on both sides, and sound fine on my turntable.  No skips.   Great for a jukebox if you are lucky enough to have one!

     I had a long running college radio show from 1978 until 1990.  Every year I did a Christmas show, mostly playing songs of every genre that you really wouldn't hear on the radio elsewhere.  My Christmas collection became fairly large over the years, and even now I buy the occassional seasonal release for my own pleasure.  The records I used back then have been lying dormant in a box for the past twenty-five years....

     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (mostly more Christmas singles).  Thanks again for looking...during these most troubled times...

SHIPPING RATES (all rates include cost of shipping materials):

Shipping rates for 7" records

U.S. First Class to Media Mail ***

$ 4.00 1st record. 50 cents per additional.

*** Single 7" packages ship as First Class which only qualify to a light weight. Adding items take the package to Media Mail - a little slower - but economical. If you are adding items and want a shipping upgrade - perhaps to Priority - let me know.

US Priority Mail

$ 8.00 up to 6 singles, $ 1.00 each additional.

Canada

$ 9.95 1st single, $ 1.00 each additional

Worldwide (First Class International)

$ 14.95 1st single ***, $ 2.00 each additional (up to six total).

NOTE: ***SHIPPING UPGRADES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES OVER $ 100 US. (Such as Priority with Tracking, Registered, etc. Rates and services vary by country). Please contact me in advance if you want more specifics.

Cost of postage includes $ 1.50 for shipping materials.

Record Grading:

MINT (10) Perfect! Still sealed albums are presumed MINT, but covers may not be. I will not grade any opened album as "mint", since there's obviously been some handling.

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Cover may have some slight corner creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs that should have little impact on the sound quality, or minor label imperfection---noted, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records may have some light surface noise during quiet passages or between tracks. Covers: one or two minor wear issues such as writing on cover, corner creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ----The record has been cared for, but has some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Covers may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratched-up. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and moderate surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deeper marks. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE "VERY GOOD MINUS" records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty beat-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. Record should still appear not to skip, though it's possible it can. Surface noise is moderate to occasionally heavy. Seam splits are usually a bigger issue around this level with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE "GOOD" records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Given the right moment, fans could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE "GOOD MINUS" records. Covers are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Covers may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) ---- Unlistenable and undisplayable.