Miles Davis. Birth of the Cool. Mega rare 1958 pressing NEAR MINT
£
22
$
29
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Description
Incredibly rare opportunity to purchase an incredibly early pressing of Miles Davis’ landmark recording ‘Birth of the Cool’ in play-graded (on state-of-the-art equipment) near mint condition.
Birth of the Cool was the album that really kick-started Miles Davis’ solo career and is an essential addition to any music collection.
Sonically this LP is outstanding with a supremely quiet background. It is wonderful dynamic with a natural timbre, and astonishing levels of detail.
The very first pressings (released in 1957) of this LP were on the turquoise Capitol label (as were many dreadful sounding modern re-issues so be wary). The following year the label changed to this one with the Capital logo at the 9 o'clock position to the left of the label (see photos). A few years later the label was changed again positioning the Capitol logo at the top of the label, at the twelve O'Clock position.
According to the latest Goldmine USA record price guide. The original (turquoise label version) is valued at $200 and this, the 1958 second pressing is values at $100. It is worth noting that these prices are for near mint records but I have never seen one in anything like this condition. This could be a record pressed lat year and be near mint. It's that good. The cover is worn but them it's well over 50 years old.
This sounds way better than ANY of the subsequent pressings, remastered or not. In fact if you've only heard a more modern pressing and love Miles you owe it to yourself to hear this.The cover is the only thing that gives the age away (as already stated, it is 55 years old). It has slight corner damage as can be seen in the photos but is still in remarkable condition for its age.
I have tried to photograph the LP as faithfully as possible. I have not used Photoshop or any other type of photo enhancement.
This album, as with all my records, is carefully cleaned and vacuum dried on a Loricraft record cleaning machine using L'Art du Son record cleaning fluid. It is then placed in a new poly-lined anti-static inner sleeve and play-tested on a state-of-the-art record playing system. It may play significantly better than I have graded it on a lower resolution system.
To protect the LP in transit it will be packed in a new cruciform LP mailer with stiffening card inserts. The LP and inner sleeve will be packed outside of the cover to protect against seam splits during transit. Unless requested otherwise I will send all records by 2nd class recorded delivery which has limited insurance.
Please see my other auctions, I will be listing several rare and interesting LPs over the next few weeks.
Overseas bidders must contact me before bidding.
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