SONNY ROLLINS QUARTET: WORKTIME, ESQUIRE 32-038 – ORIG UK MONO – RVG – OFFERS?
  £   192
  $   254   

 


£ 192   (best offer accepted)   Sold For
Sep 20, 2026 Sold Date
Sep 11, 2026 Start Date
1 Number Of Bids
  Great Britain Country Of Seller
eBay Sold at
 
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Description

Sonny Rollins Quartet – Work Time

SONNY ROLLINS QUARTET – WORKTIME – ESQUIRE 32-038 – ORIGINAL UK MONO – RVG – PRLP 7020 A/B VAN GELDER CUT
AI SAYS:
 The scarce original British Esquire edition of Sonny Rollins Quartet – Worktime, catalogue 32-038, rather than a later Prestige/Xtra reissue.

This is a very desirable 1950s jazz LP.

SONNY ROLLINS QUARTET – WORKTIME
Esquire 32-038 – UK Mono – 1958
UK issue of Prestige PRLP 7020
RVG in the deadwax

This LP is the 1958 UK Esquire 32-038 mono issue of Worktime, but crucially it was manufactured from stampers tracing directly to the original Prestige PRLP 7020 master. That's much more interesting to collectors than a later UK recut

The significance of RVG is that it identifies the mastering work of Rudy Van Gelder. More importantly, contemporary collector documentation for this exact Esquire issue says it was pressed using stampers from the original Prestige 7020 master, rather than being independently recut in Britain.

This release is generally catalogued as the 1958 UK mono pressing, corresponding to the American Prestige PRLP 7020🎷 The album

The really interesting thing about these early Esquire issues is that they weren't simply cheaply mastered British reissues. This Worktime was manufactured from stampers derived from the original Prestige master, which is one reason Esquire Prestige LPs have developed a strong following among jazz collectors.

VINYL: Both sides retain a strong glossy surface, some light surface/hairline marking under reflected light, but nothing that obviously resembles a deep scratch. The labels are also very clean, with relatively little obvious spindle wear.

Vinyl: VG+ to EX 
Sleeve: VG to VG+

Work Time was recorded on 2 December 1955 at Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey, although the album was issued in 1956 on Prestige. It features Sonny Rollins at a particularly important point in his career, shortly after his work with the Clifford Brown/Max Roach group.

Personnel:

  • Sonny Rollins – tenor saxophone
  • Ray Bryant – piano
  • George Morrow – bass
  • Max Roach – drums

Tracks

Side 1

  1. There's No Business Like Show Business
  2. Paradox – Rollins
  3. Raincheck

Side 2
4. There Are Such Things
5. It's All Right with Me

It's a superb example of hard-bop/post-bop jazz, with Rollins and Max Roach particularly impressive.

🇬🇧  Esquire 32-038

This is the interesting bit for a collector.

Esquire 32-038 is the original UK issue from 1958, and it is a mono LP. It was the British release of the US Prestige PRLP 7020. Importantly, the Esquire pressing was made from stampers derived from the original Prestige master, making it a highly regarded British jazz pressing.

And these are collectable records. 


All my VINYL is described as Used/Pre Owned. Items have been visually graded as best as I can but my grading may differ from your opinion/expertise or grading system. 

I use the recommended grading system. I will give the album a play through before sending, unless it is a MINT item. 

I list the in the description above, the condition of the artwork/sleeve and the disc/media. Photos of cover and disc are for your use to determine condition. 

My items are inspected before departure and nothing leaves unless I am happy with it. I will endeavour to post as soon as possible after I receive the order and I will remain in contact with you throughout the process so that you know when the order is on the way.

 It will also come in a protective plastic sleeve and the album itself will be in an inner sleeve designed to protect the vinyl. All items will be packed in protective envelopes for the journey. I hope you enjoy your purchase. Once again thanks for your custom.

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