Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950-1956 (9 LPs)

$

79

Sun Records: The Blues Years 1950-1956 (9 LPs)

This is one of the most attractive box sets of the LP era. The set comprises 151 tracks, 47 of them previously unissued. The selections cover the formative years of the legendary Sam Phillips's label, featuring a wide range of blues, rockabilly, and gospel groups whose beat led to the birth of rock & roll.

All of the artists selected for the 9 LPs are listed on the front of the powder-blue, heavy-paper sleeves (see: my photos), alongside tinted, vintage black-and-white photos. On the backs of the sleeves is a track-by-track commentary of that record's contents.

The thick booklet, also tinted powder blue, has dozens of photos and other illustrations (including original-label art), complete session files, a chronological account of the blues years, and a number of essays by blues critics.

Leaders of sessions include: Joe Hill Louis, Sleepy John Estes, Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Jackie "Rocket 88" Brenston, Rosco Gordon, Rufus Thomas, The Prisonaires, The Southern Jubilees, Walter Horton, Honeyboy Edwards, James Cotton, and Little Milton.  

Condition: LPs are N–. See detailed grading descriptions for LPs at end of this listing.

The box, with its classic, four-color Sun logo, is bumped on the (bottom) front and has a few scuffs and one small split on the back. The bump is visible in the photo. The booklet has one palpable crease.

No LP was played more than once. One of the discs was warped, though, when I opened the new set for the first time. It, and all of the others, play like new.

Considering the age of the set, and its standing among blues aficionados - to say nothing of its visual beauty - the collection is in good shape.

Mine is the best price for the set on Ebay at the time of this posting. 

Shipping: Ebay requires seller to indicate shipping methods and other particulars, then automatically inserts the cost at the top of the listing. Buyer will pay amount as determined by destination and shipping method he chooses. (USPS Media Mail is cheapest; I will provide prices for US Priority, or for FedEx or UPS ground, if requested.)

Insurance is mandatory.

Please wait till I inform you of cost prior to submitting payment. It and not Ebay's stated cost is the amount to be paid. I don't add any charge for handling. You pay just what the postage and insurance cost me.

**For winners outside US**: USPS shipping options are International Priority and International Express. Both methods include insurance but only Express has tracking. If you want a different shipper, I will quote you the cost at end of auction.

Packing: I cover box sets with bubble wrap to protect and stabilize the box inside the mailer. All mailers are the standard ones for LPs.

Payment: I accept Paypal. I also accept cash in cases of in-person deliveries.

Returns: Returns will be accepted in cases of error in description.

I am the author of Wail: The Life of Bud Powell. Read about his extraordinary life, and see how you can order a paperback copy, at
www.budpowellbio.com

Note on condition:  I grade records visually. Following are the definitions of the grading that I use:

N A record known to be new.  This includes factory sealed records.
N-   A record that's known or assumed to have been played. May have some surface scuff marks from removing and reinserting record in sleeve. May have slight spindle wear. Otherwise, appears same as N in all respects.
VG++ More handling marks visible than on N-, but should play like a new record.
VG+ No more than a few minor scratches or marks which are audible.  Such scratches or other defects will usually be described in specific detail.  Record will usually not have any groove wear.
VG More than a few minor audible defects, but no steady noise.  No appreciable groove wear.