BING CROSBY Test Pressing , 1956, Bregman Orchestra 2 LPs VERVE Long-play 33 1/3

$

250

BING CROSBY Test Pressings 1956 Label: Verve Records The labels had been hand typed on standard round label before being attached to the records.
This is a 30-day listing.  Listed on 12-8-2011
This rare pair of test pressings were from a small number pressing, not one-of-a-kind, but certainly very few were made.  After these test pressings were reviewed for quality and details such as the chronological order of the song list, etc., these  were mass produced as the Columbia Records or MGM/Verve LP "Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings".
2 LP's, audio on both sides of each record. Description:
Bing Crosby with Buddy Bregman's Orchestra Label: Verve Records Cover: Plain white paper LP sleeve, no printed or plain cardboard LP cover were found with these. Session notes: No printed session notes were found with these LPs. Record Stock: Capitol Custom(yellow labels) Session dates: 6/11/1956 & 6/12/1956
The final retail LP(and singles) from these sessions were sold to the public as "Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings".  Audio selections from the retail LP can be heard on YouTube and other sites.
Orchestra personnel includes: Harry Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Bud Shank and Barney Kessell. Condition: Very Good. Light Surface Scratches. The discs are hard material, seems to be metal disc with acetate coating.  No markings on discs near the center label.  The center hole is clean, seems to reveal an aluminum or steel disc that is coated with vinyl or acetate. (If I learn more about this type of record I will revise this eBay listing. I am not an expert on Test Pressings)
I have not cleaned these records, preferring to leave that up to the buyer, as many people have very specific cleaning  methods & materials they prefer to use. I advise the buyer to clean these records before playing, as well, top clean them  before recording them on tape or digitizing them. 
 Disc One
The typed label for side 1 reads: "1, LP, Verve Records, Bing Crosby Session 6/11/56" The typed label for side 2 reads: "2, LP, Verve Records, Bing Crosby Session 6/12/56"
The "1" and "2" on each side are hand written in pencil.

Here's what I could find (on-line) regarding this session: Bing Crosby With Buddy Bregman's Orchestra (Side 1) Pete Candoli, Harry Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo (tp) Milt Bernhardt, Francis Howard, George Roberts, Lloyd Ulyate (tb)  Bud Shank, Maurice Stein (as) Bob Cooper, Ted Nash (ts) Chuck Gentry (bars) Paul Smith (p) Barney Kessel (g) Joe Mondragon  (b) Alvin Stoller (d) Bing Crosby (vo) Buddy Bregman (arr, cond) unidentified woodwinds and strings Abbreviation key:  (tp) trumpet  (tb) trombone  (as) alto sax  (ts) tenor sax  (bars) vibraphone?  (p) piano  (g) guitar  (b) bass  (d) drums  (vo) vocals  (arr, cond) arranger, conducter
Recording session dates: Los Angeles, CA, June 11, 1956 20155-11 The Blue Room Verve MGV 2020 20156-8 Jeepers Creepers - 20157-4 I've Got Five Dollars Verve 2025, MGV 2020 20158-1 'Deed I Do Verve MGV 2020 20159-3 The Song Is You - 20160-4 Nice Work If You Can Get It - * Bing Crosby/Buddy Bregman - Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings (Verve MGV 2020) * Bing Crosby - I've Got Five Dollars b/w Mountain Greenery (Verve 2025, V 10025)
Please note: I think that when it says, for example "MGV 2020" it means that this song and the one below  it were the A & B sides for 7-inch 45 rpm records.
Bing Crosby With Buddy Bregman's Orchestra (Side 2) same personnel Los Angeles, CA, June 12, 1956 20161-3 They All Laughed Verve MGV 2020 20162-4 Heat Wave Verve V 10089, MGV 2020 20163-3 September In The Rain - 20164-5 Cheek To Cheek Verve MGV 2020 20165-2 Have You Met Miss Jones? - 20166-5 Mountain Greenery Verve 2025, MGV 2020 * Bing Crosby/Buddy Bregman - Bing Sings Whilst Bregman Swings (Verve MGV 2020) * Bing Crosby - Heat Wave b/w September In The Rain (Verve V 10089) * Bing Crosby - I've Got Five Dollars b/w Mountain Greenery (Verve 2025, V 10025)
Disc Two:  LP is a companion to the Bing Crosby LP, sold as a set, will not separate. This disc appears to be made from the master tapes for later mixing, i.e. raw session tracks. This can include separate woodwind and horn sections, warm-ups, false starts, even some chatter from the engineer's booth(I have not listened to this one, no turntable available at present time).  Label info from this disc: Buddy Bregman (separate tracks from the original master tapes, for the orchestral mix, without Bing's vocals) The typed label for side 1 reads: "Side One, Reel 1- Parts 1 thru 5 Thru Reel 4- Parts 1 thru 2A" The typed label for side 2 reads: "Side Two, Reel 5- Parts 1,2,3 Thru Reel 10- Parts 1, 1A, 2"
For swing & Crosby collectors who may be new to test pressings, one collector told me: "Test pressings are highly collectible, especially ones like these Crosby/Bregman sessions from the 50's. This pair  of discs will be very much of interest to Verve collectors. These 2 LPs are likely the first stamper and it's likely  that less than 10 exist, they are possibly one-of-a-kind. These 2 LPs may have been pressed for the recording  engineer to review, or pressed for a record company producer to review before final quantity pressings for retail  market in 1956. Test pressings are the closest you can get to the lacquers, so they have a special collectible value.  A little research may reveal that such discs may fall into the public domain for re-producing and distribution as  a download or CD packaging." 
Please note: If you have any thoughts on using these as masters for a CD, download or other audio re-issue: It is  very important to research the copyright holder status, details on rights to publishing, the performance rights,  mechanical rights, etc.
Please note: As seller I give NO rights for reproduction, broadcast or other re-selling of these 2 LPs.  I am only selling from one collector to another, no rights given or implied.
You can read more about test pressings by searching sites like Google and Wikipedia. Many test pressing are  listed on sites like eBay and Goldmine. As you'll see, the prices can be in the hundreds and thousands  of dollars, depending on the musician, the session, etc.

Please drop me a note if you have any questions regarding these test pressings.  Seller name: hwycinema
This is a 30-day listing. Listed on 12-8-2011
Price: $250.00 Buy It Now, or Make Offer. Shipping: $12.00 via USPS Priority Mail with delivery confirmation & insurance,  or may be shipped via UPS Ground, with insurance and tracking number. Please note: eBay only allows me to state $4.00 as shipping fee.  I can not enter a larger number within the formatting eBay provides.  The actual cost for shipping will be $12.00, not $4.00.  Includes careful packaging & shipping. I can only ship to USA 50 states at this time.
Sold as-is, no returns.
Payment: PayPal only. LPs will be shipped on the next business day after payment is confirmed.
Key words: Bing Crosby, Buddy Bregman , Swing , Music , Test Pressing , Verve Records , dub plate ,  master , discography , audiophile , DJ , phonograph record , vinyl , acetate