Columbia Bach:Sonata/Casadesus/Francescatti,non-commercial,rarest Columbia VG

$

20

Please look closely, because this may be your only chance to even SEE this rarest Columbia issue! This special issue not only uses a label not seen elsewhere, it doesn't even have a catalog number because it was never issued commercially! Only 2760 copies were pressed and gave to the attendees of a benefit concert for the American Library in Paris, on Nov. 30th, 1954. Here the two great French masers switch places by writing a composition for each other's instrument! Casadesus wrote a violin work called Hommage a Chausson, and Francescatti demonstrates his piano chops by writing 3 preludes entitled Cezanne, Dufy, and Modigliani. The notes on the cover says after the pressing, the master was destroyed and the artists will never record these works again! The cover painting was also specially done for this occasion by French artist Andre Girard and is in frameable beauty. 

I have never seen it offered elsewhere and even though it's not in good shape, I doubt there will be more than a handful of playable copies left after 64 years! So there you have it, unique repertoire, one of a kind issue, and gorgeous cover art that should belong to a special collection. If you ask me why I'm selling it, it may be the collector's dilemma that if that's in slightly better shape I will never let go of it (or maybe I'll change my mind after I wake up tomorrow!). Certainly can't find a reference price (if you do, please let me know!) so I'm starting at a reasonable point below which I may just keep it.

Record condition: VG/VG- (plays through, but have rubbing marks/fine scratches that will produce lots of ticks)

Cover condition: EX+ (some wear on top/bottom edges, front cover is still glossy and shiny after 6 decades!)

Note: I'm a collector, not a dealer. The reason I'm selling is to downsize my collection. Every record I offer was hand-picked based on its merits on music, performance, and sonics (not necessarily in that order!). I will list recording credentials such as producer, engineer, venue, date, etc. as I believe as an educated buyer, these will offer crucial info for an unfamiliar record to make a buying judgement. Hope you'll find this useful!

Shipping cost:

US: shipping is $4 by USPS media mail. $1 extra per each additional items for combined shipment. Priority Mail is available and cost is based on your location. Please wait for invoice if you prefer Priority Mail.

Canada: shipping is $12 by USPS First Class International package (no tracking or insurance available) for the first record, $2 extra per each additional items for combined shipment up to 4 lbs. (about 5 or 6 single records). For orders over 4 lbs. the best available shipping is by Priority Mail International up to 20 lbs. Please wait for invoice for actual shipping.

Europe: shipping is $20 by USPS First Class International package (no tracking or insurance available) for the first record, $4 extra per each additional items for combined shipment up to 4 lbs. (about 5 or 6 single records). For orders over 4 lbs. the best available shipping is by Priority Mail International up to 20 lbs. Please wait for invoice for actual shipping.

Asia: shipping is $21 by USPS First Class International package (no tracking or insurance available) for the first record, $4 extra per each additional items for combined shipment up to 4 lbs. (about 5 or 6 single records). For orders over 4 lbs. the best available shipping is by Priority Mail International up to 20 lbs. Please wait for invoice for actual shipping.