Three Aces and A Joker GRC 104 Sleigh Bell Rock / Booze Party Rare Rockabilly

$

1,993

Just in time for your rockabilly holiday season, here is a beautiful copy of the super rare "Sleigh Bell Rock" b/w "Booze Party" single from 1959 on Salt Lake City's GRC records.  This was written and recorded by local club band Three Aces and a Joker, with the A-side maybe the greatest rockabilly Christmas song ever, and the B-side intended to bookend the Christmas season as an ode to New Year's Eve.  As a local single released in 1959, certainly that B-side never received much radio play in alcohol-unfriendly Utah.  According to Discogs, only 600 copies of this were pressed - it is extremely rare with only a couple of copies showing up on Popsike during the last ten years (most of the copies listed on Popsike are reissues).  This is a guaranteed original copy.  A-side etchings in the runoff: "GRC 45-104 (1:48)", "sJw", "MR" (? - hard to tell exactly, almost looks like a "(European 7)VR), "JM".  B-side etchings in the runoff: "GRC 45-104 (2:18)","sJw", "MR" (same question on what it is exactly), "JM". I have added photos of the etchings, as best as I could get them to  photograph. Out of however many of the original 600 pressings are still around, you will be hard pressed to top this copy.  Vinyl grades NM with barely a mark on it - a couple of superfine small hairlines that you have to look hard to find and that in no way affect playback; excellent gloss; plays like new.  Maroon GRC labels grade VG+++: lightest of rubbing on the B-side; logo and graphics are clear and bright; solid, deep maroon color.  If you need a final keeper copy of this impossible-to-find record for your rockabilly collection, grab this one, you won't find better.
Overseas buyers please note the information below on using USPS Priority International service for this item due to its value, and the impact on customs declarations. I am happy to consider alternatives with previous customers of mine, but it must be before the end of the auction.      
For the time being I am not including samples on my listings - eBay is cracking down on non-HTTP content and, until I can find a competent HTTPS-supported player, I am not adding samples.  I apologize for any inconvenience; contact me if you need to hear a sample and I will get one to you.  I play all of the 45's that I list, so any issues impacting quality are included in the item description.   

First and foremost!  Your satisfaction is of paramount importance.  If you are dissatisfied FOR ANY REASON please let me know and anything that is within my power will be fixed.

US Standard Shipping is free!  See below for the cost of US Priority Shipping and the cost of International Shipping.  I recommend you wait for me to send you an invoice if there is a shipping charge - eBay's automatic shipping calculator is almost always higher than what I charge.  If you do pay from the eBay calculation, and it is higher than the amount I have indicated below, I will refund the difference.
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl.  I pack carefully, using pads and reinforcing the edges with packing tape.  I want the package to arrive in the condition it departs and do my utmost to make that happen.  Shipping costs include the cost of the materials.  I almost always ship within two days of a purchase, usually the next day; there will be a notice in my store if I am unable to meet that timeframe.  Of course, I will combine shipping.  In the event you want something you have purchased held pending the close of an upcoming auction in order that items can be shipped together, just let me know.  I do not make money on packing and shipping.
I am happy to ship internationally.  International shipping gets a bit more complicated, so I apologize for the length of this next section.  Many buyers are not aware that eBay puts 100% of the responsibility for successful delivery on the seller; any problems or missing items are immediately charged back to the seller.  For lower priced items, I use the most economical service available.  Because of concerns and past problems with postal services in certain countries, in order to protect myself against loss on more expensive items, I use services with tracking/signing.  I would rather not do this, since I recognize international shipping is costly enough, but it is too much risk on me for expensive items:

• For anything going anywhere up to $125, I ship by US First Class International, the least expensive US international mailing service.
• Anything over $125 (except packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany) requires Priority International with tracking.  Priority International is the least expensive US international shipping option that provides insurance and tracking.  It is a more expensive service than US First Class; to help defray the cost I pay for the insurance and do not charge for packing materials.    
• Packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany will still qualify for US First Class International service up to a purchase of $250.  Over $250, they also will use Priority International with tracking.
• It is important to know that USPS regulations require that packages sent Priority International have the insured value written on the custom declaration form in order for the insurance to be in force.  Since packages shipped US First Class International do not carry insurance, the custom declaration is more flexible.
• I am happy to consider exceptions, particularly for successful repeat international customers, but it must be agreed in advance.  I know shipping costs are high, so do not hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do it before bidding or buying).

Shipping rates:

• US Priority (remember, standard US shipping is free): 1-9 7" for $7.00; 10-13 7" for $11.00; 14-18 7" for $13.00
• First Class International 7" (Canada $3 less): 1 7" for $14; 2 7" for $15; 3-4 7" for $22.00; 5-6 7" for $24; 7-9 7" for $26; 10-13 7" for $30
• Priority International 7" (Canada $7 less): 1-12 7" for $32

Quotes provided for other quantities or mixed shipments.
Record Grading (always see photos!):
Near Mint (NM):  Vinyl shows very little evidence of use, retains nearly all of its original gloss, minimal markings, no warping or dishing; Labels are clean and crisp with no writing or sticker residue, no ring wear or rubbing wear, no significant spindle marking; Original sleeves (if applicable) are clean and square, no writing, no splits, no ring wear.Very Good + (VG+): Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface may have light scuffs or hairline scratches (nothing feelable) that do not significantly affect playback, still has a substantial amount of gloss, may have slight dishing or small edge warp that tracks without significant tonearm bobbing, will provide a solid enjoyable listen; Labels are clean with only minor ring or rubbing wear, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, limited soiling and no significant stains, drill hole is OK if label is otherwise clean, graphics and logos are clear and bright; Original sleeves (if applicable) are clean with no more than light ring wear, corners are square with no more than minor dings, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, one small seam split would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean, light creasing, drill hole would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean.  Grading is all-encompassing, so multiple flaws of the type described will drop the grade.Very Good (VG): This is a common grade for older 45's - they have often been stored outside of any protective sleeve which has lead to multiple light surface hairline scratches and label rubbing, and often have writing or stickers on the label.  For listening enjoyment, these can offer excellent value, since the condition disqualifies them for hard-core collectors but hairlines scratches have not caused significant damage to the vinyl grooves and playback is often VG+ or better.  Vinyl will show significant use with scuffing or hairline scratches but plays through without skipping, any feelable scratches are noted including the effect on playback, may have light noise particularly at the beginning (due to sloppy cueing) or in softer passages, may have slight dishing or edge warp but it will play through, may have diminished or irregular gloss, record will provide an enjoyable listen; Labels may have significant ring or rubbing wear, lifting damage, more prominent writing or sticker residue, a drill hole, some soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have splits, ring wear or rubbing wear, writing, corner dings, creasing, soiling, or drill holes.Good (G): A very infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a higher grade.  Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, limited gloss, significant noise on playback but will play through; Labels have may glaring writing, significant ring or rubbing wear, extensive sticker residue, soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have significant ring wear, multiple seam splits, taping, prominent writing.            I use additional pluses and minuses frequently, to fine tune the ratings.  PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS - I TRY TO SHOW ALL SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS!  If you have questions or need additional photos or sound samples, just ask!
Items are guaranteed - the purchase price and all shipping costs, to and fro, are refunded if the item is returned in the same condition as dispatched (for Still Sealed items, they must be Still Sealed).