VAUDEVILLE BLUES 78: BERT WILLIAMS Unlucky Blues/Ten Little Bottles COLUMBIA A2941

This is one of several blues titles recorded by the premier African American vaudeville star of the early 20th century. This one, recorded April 18, 1920, predates the record usually cited as the first African American blues record, Mamie Smith's "Crazy Blues."

VG+ with minor groove wear and light scuffs, no deep scratches.

10-inch 78. Will be shipped in a large box cushioned with packing material.

See grading codes below.

Combined shipping available on multiple purchases.

If you have any problems with your order, please contact me before opening a case with eBay.

I have many more records, CDs and magazines listed at my eBay store, BluEsoterica.com Mail Order, and if you are in Kansas City, see my bins at Happy Rock Antiques, 100 NW 72nd St. in Gladstone, MO (10 miles north of downtown KC via U.S. Highway 169). The store is open every day (10am-8 pm Tuesday through Saturday, noon-5pm Sunday, 10am-6pm Monday). My booth is number 152 (the one with the most soul, jazz and blues records; there are several other booths with records, too).

-- Jim O'Neal, Co-founder, Living Blues (eBay seller Stackhouse232)

 78 RPM RECORD GRADING

Most of the following descriptions are based on the Vintage Jazz Mart grading codes.
N (new) or M (mint): New and unplayed. NM or N- (near mint): Nearly same as M but played a few times. or showing minimal storage wear.
E+: plays almost like new, with very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.
 E (excellent): Still very shiny, near new looking with few or no visible signs of groove wear but may have a few inaudible scuffs.
 E-: still shiny, but without the luster of a new record. Very little wear, plays distortion-free. May have a few minor scuffs.
 V+ or VG+: An “average” looking 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free of distortion. Surface noise still not pronounced.
 V or VG (very good): Moderate, even wear throughout but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not too intrusive.
V- or VG- = quite playable; may have some distortion in louder passages but music remains loud in most places. Surface noise from wear and scratches are below music level.
G+: gray throughout or quite scuffed but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled.
 G (good): quite worn/damaged, but surface noise still below music level. Listenable.
G-: Music muffled from wear but still exceeds surface noise.
F+: Music remains audible over surface noise but listening uncomfortable.
F (fair): Surface noise is as loud as the music.
P (poor): unplayable.
 
 [+ and – denote in-between grades. Grades with a slash in between indicate the condition of Side A/Side B.]

Note: Some 78s look mint or near mint and may be graded so, but may play with some surface noise due to poor quality pressing material.