PAUL WHITEMAN I'd Rather Cry Over You 78 rpm Jazz w/BIX BEIDERBECKE SIGNED? ?

$

250

What I am offering here might (and I stress the word might) be a very unique piece of pre-war era jazz history!! A few years ago I purchased a large portion of a collection of 78 rpm records (as well as LPs) that belonged to a small-scale, regional jazz musician in the upper New York State area. As I was going through them, I stumbled onto this Paul Whiteman 78 and noticed that there was an endorsement/signature on each of the labels. The endorsement/signature is Bix Beiderbecke, the legendary trumpeter who was one of the players on both sides!! His name is neatly written in old blue fountain pen ink near the bottom of each of the labels!! It is also noteworthy that his name is underscored, which is what a person typically does when they sign their name and want to emphasize their importance or stature. The two sides are "I'd Rather Cry Over You" and "Is It Gonna Be Long." This was recorded and released in 1928 and it has the multicolored/custom Paul Whiteman "potato head" style labels. This is Columbia Records #1496-D. I am by no means a Bix Beiderbecke expert. I have read that Bix was quite frustrated about these Paul Whiteman records, specifically that he was not getting any credit anywhere on the labels for being one of the main performers on them. It is certainly possible that he could have written his name on the labels (i.e. before giving the record to someone) to reemphasize and promote himself. I have also read that Bix was very proud of his performances on these records and he used to give away copies of them to family, friends and fans at the time. I realize that this record is nearly a hundred years old and most of this is almost impossible to prove. I am also aware that there are very few known examples of his signature even in existence and most of those are very difficult to authenticate or validate. Bix only lived to be 28 years old and died in 1931 due to a severe alcohol problem. He was also a relatively unknown performer during his lifetime. His legend and stature really grew more in the years and decades following his death, especially when certain other jazz greats began to credit him as one of their main influences. The name is handwritten in a rather compressed size and manner because it was placed in one of the only blank/open spaces on the labels. In other words, it isn't written/signed in the same way that a legal document or paper would have been endorsed. I do just want to point out that the "c" in Beiderbecke on the a-side label is a little chipped/flaked/faded from over the years, but the pen writing is still very strong and clear otherwise and none of this has ever been retraced or touched up in any way whatsoever. This is real pen handwriting/signing; these are not facsimiles, stamps, decals, or autopen writing etc. The record itself is in VG++ to M- condition overall and it looks nearly unplayed!! There is one very tiny little (less than one-inch) pressing line/mark (not a crack or hairline fracture) near the outer edge of the a-side playing surface. This should have no effect on play whatsoever. I have not personally played this record because I do not have the proper equipment to do so and, quite frankly, I don't want to risk damaging it in any way either. There is one very small, light spindle mark on each of the labels, but no nicks or gouges. No chips, no cracks, etc. I am selling this record exactly as I found it. In fact, it is still housed in the heavy brown sleeve I found it in at the time. The sleeve has a small amount of surface paper loss in the upper-right corner of the front side (presumably from where an old sticker or file label was removed). It is quite obvious that the person (or persons) who owned this record in the past thought it was something pretty special and it has clearly been very well cared for over the years and rarely handled. All of this being said, please review the photos very carefully before bidding. I will consider all reasonable offers for and/or inquiries about this item.

I personally write all of my own descriptions, take all of my own photos, and package all items for mailing myself.  I do not use text, photos or information from “other” sources and would certainly never do so without referencing them. Items pictured in any of my listings are always the actual items that buyers will receive from me.

My vinyl and cover/sleeve gradings are as follows:

MINT: I do not use this grade except for sealed/unopened items.

NEAR MINT or MINT MINUS: Vinyl looks basically brand new, untouched, unplayed or nearly unplayed. Cover looks pretty much as new with no real flaws to speak of. This is basically how the item would have looked when it was new from the factory.

VG++: Very close to M-, with vinyl showing only the very slightest, most subtle signs of any past handling or play. Cover may show just the barest hint of wear from age, but nothing at all serious or detracting. 

VG+: Vinyl shows some subtle signs that it was played in the past, but was generally well taken care of. Cover shows only some minor signs of age or wear, but nothing too detracting.

VG: Vinyl is beginning to show more obvious signs of past handling and play but still has strong sound quality overall. Cover is beginning to show more signs of age and wear, but is fully intact and still displays very well overall.

GOOD: Vinyl has very obvious signs of wear from over the years, but still plays strongly and enjoyably enough. Cover has obvious wear and tear from age, but is intact and still displayable.

***My very good and good records are very good and good, not bad and even worse! I also do not use the EX (excellent) grading at all.***

FAIR: Record wasn’t properly cared for in the past and very clearly shows it, but it is still playable and should be enjoyable enough for some. I rarely offer records in this condition.