Jeanne Kassel – Can I Will I Chance 45 rpm C‑5138 NM Chicago Indie Orange Label
  $   100

 


$ 100 Sold For
Jan 27, 2026 Sold Date
Jan 20, 2026 Start Date
2   Number Of Bids
  USA Country Of Seller
eBay Auctioned at
 
save auction  

Description

Original Chance Records pressing, catalog C‑5138, featuring Jeanne Kassel backed by the Bill Keller Orchestra. Correct orange/black Chance label from the late period of the label’s run. Dead‑wax is hand‑etched 45‑5138, confirming an authentic early‑1950s Chicago pressing.

Chance Records was nearing the end of operations by the C‑5100 series, and these late‑catalog releases were pressed in very small quantities. Clean survivors are extremely scarce.

CONDITION (strict visual grade)

Vinyl: NEAR MINT (mirror gloss, no marks, appears barely played) Labels: Clean Dead‑wax: 45‑5138 (hand‑etched)

ABOUT JEANNE KASSEL (Lost Chicago Vocalist, Early 1950s)

Jeanne Kassel was a Chicago‑area pop vocalist — often described in 1950s trade magazines as a “thrush” — who recorded for Chance Records during the label’s final years. While Chance is best known for its R&B, doo‑wop, and blues output (including early Flamingos sides), the label also operated a 3000‑series pop line, where Kassel’s work was released.

Her primary release, Chance 3020 (1954), featured:

  • “Chalo Mio Ray” — promoted at the time as a “happy novelty” tune with a lightly country‑leaning backing band, reflecting Chance’s attempt to reach multiple markets.

  • “Can I, Will I?” — notable for its early use of a dub‑in self‑duet technique, an unusually sophisticated production choice for an independent Chicago label in 1954.

During this period, Chance was run by Art Sheridan, who used pop artists like Kassel in an effort to break into the mainstream charts. Because the label collapsed shortly afterward, her records were pressed in very small quantities, and clean survivors are now considered scarce. Kassel is regarded today as part of the “Lost Chicago” circle of early‑’50s female vocalists, and her releases are actively sought by collectors of regional pop and rare indie‑label recordings.


price rating