The Royal Ballet Gala Performances, Ansermet ORIGINAL ISSUE RCA Soria Series VG

$

225

The Royal Ballet Gala Performances, Ernest Ansermet / Royal Opera House Orchestra

ORIGINAL ISSUE RCA Soria Series LD 6065

VG+/VG

FREE U.S. SHIPPING

This is the monophonic (a/k/a MONO) version of the legendary RCA Soria Series Ernest Ansermet Royal Ballet "Gala Performances."

Were this a stereo set in the same condition, the starting price would be well over $100. Mint stereo sets have broken the $2,000 barrier.

As it is, this is a very nice, 50+ year old boxed set with lots of patina; and unquestionably, the aura of absolute authenticity.

The charming liner-note book was printed in Italy by Amilcare Pizzi, S.p.A. The black-and- white reproductions of Houston Rogers photos include ballet stars of the past Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes, Nadia Nerina, David Blair, Beryl Grey, and Svetlana Beriosova. (Alexis Rassine’s photo is by another photographer.) There are also color reproductions of costume-design sketches from the various ballets the scores of which are excerpted.

There is some age-related yellowing to the original Soria inner sleeves, and spotting to the slipcase, as shown in the photos; and, the "program" half-page-sized flyer is missing. However, that is the case with many of these sets surviving to today—that folder was shrink-wrapped to the back of the slipcase, so people perhaps assumed it was a throw-away.

What is on offer here is a Very Good set; but not an EX or Mint set. There is one bubble in the vinyl for Sides 1 and 2, but that photo does show how clean and shiny this vinyl actually is. This boxed set came to me with two other mono Soria Series sets, Messiah and Verdi's Requiem.

Please bid reasonably; I don't want anyone to overbid/get into a bidding war, and then get upset about issues I have already disclosed.

If you have wanted an original RCA Soria Series "Gala Performances" set, but you don't want to spend a thousand bucks, here you go!

PLEASE NOTE: I do not make any representations except that this is an original MONO set, in the condition described. I do not make any claims except originality; I cannot say from my own knowledge whether this is a first, or an early pressing.

That said, here’s how I read the dead-wax scribings:

SIDE 1:       C1     J2 RP7954 3S

SIDE 2:       B1     J2 RP7955- -1S

SIDE 3:       A1     J2RP 7956 1S

SIDE 4: 1     A4      J2RP 7957 1S

(Note: Spacing inconsistencies are intentional and representational, immediately above.)

The seller is a former columnist for Stereophile magazine and a music-industry professional with 100% positive feedback from buyers.

US shipping is free; foreign shipping has to be by insured Priority Mail with tracking, which might make the transaction uneconomical.

The photos are of the exact unique item being offered for sale.

I think that that just about covers it.

The fine print: PayPal only; I do not go around behind eBay; and, in view of the totality of the circumstances, this sale will be final and there will be no returns or refunds.

Any questions, please ask.

John Marks