Josh White At Midnight RARE 1961 1st UK Red & White ELEKTRA Blues LP + CATALOGUE

	£		25
	$		33

Pretty Damn RARE, Original U.K. 1961(?) Red & White Label Elektra L.P. pressing of Josh White’s ‘Josh at Midnight’ (Catalogue Reference: Elektra Records EKL-102).  I wasn’t aware that the Elektra label existed in the U.K. prior to the mid-60s until I stumbled across this pressing.  It turns out that Audio Fidelity licensed the catalogue.  I believe this was originally available in the States from the mid-50s.  I’ve taken the date of manufacture based upon the date the recordings were first published on the labels (1961).  There is a record of these recordings having been issued in the U.K. in the mid-60s on Elektra’s Bounty subsidiary but this was clearly the very first U.K. issue.  These must have been pressed-up in incredibly limited quanities because this is the first one I’ve seen in decades of collecting.  Another indication of the approximate date of manufacture comes from the style of sleeve and vinyl pressing.  This was clearly pressed by the same facility which was pressing Pye U.K. L.P. pressings from the late 50s to the early 1960s as the appearance and the labelling is as per a contemporary Pye pressing and the same comments apply to the sleeve construction.  The only difference is the tracing paper inner sleeve which is clearly original (Pye had their own, very attractive custom inner sleeves).  An added bonus here is that this copy retains the original Audio Fidelity (Elektra) catalogue.  Basically, a rare item in very fine condition.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX+/NM (ELEKTRA CATALOGUE) / EX (SLEEVE): I have a relative amount of experience of grading this type of late 50s/early 60s Pye pressing which leads me to state that this obviously hasn’t seen heavy play.  I have a high regard for these pressings in terms of quality and weight however, their appearance is very different to that of a contemporary Decca or HMV pressing (for instance).  Under an intense light there is always a very subtle swirl-like effect on the pressing which is most visible when looking at the dead-wax around the centre labels.  It is therefore hard to distingush between marking from handling and use and marking which was present from the moment of manufacture.  Ultimately, these were heavy duty pressings.  There are no glaringly obvious marks.  The result of removal from the tracing paper inner has been a relative volume of ultra-fine hairline marks (where the paper has gripped the surface during withdrawal).  You will need an intense light to see this marking.  This is a very nice copy but please do consider these points above.  If you are not familiar with this type of limited-run 50s/60s U.K. press with their inherent quirks please do not bid.  As noted above and as can be seen in the attached images the record retains it’s original tracing paper inner.  It has started to split at the bottom however, it is rare they survive in this kind of condition and this quite frankly also provides an indication of the limited use this record has seen.  I would hazard a guess that I was the first individual to handle the Elektra catalogue contained within.  It is very crisp with perhaps the only flaw being a very slight yellowing with age.  The sleeve is a fine example.  It features flip-backs bottom, side and top.  There is wear to both bottom edge corners with the most pronounced being to the bottom right-hand corner.  This corner has likely sustained a knock as there is very light bending/creasing in this corner.  There is another light bend in the top left-hand corner on the front of the sleeve (light enough that is hasn’t caused creasing) and a small crease near the opening edge on the front where the sleeve has been gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl was withdrawn.  The rear has yellowed a little along the opening edge but this is ultimately a fine example of this sleeve.  A very rare record in very fine condition!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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