Toscanini Edition: very rare deluxe 5-album set: RCA Italiana AT1-AT5 (50 LPs)
$995.00 USD
Albums EX / LPs EX to NM-
This rare 5-volume, 50-LP set from RCA Italiana (AT1-AT5, Italian pressing, plum/silver labels, mono, booklets included) features an extraordinary survey of Toscanini's recorded legacy, arguably the most lavish treatment the legendary conductor received during the LP era.
Each volume consists of heavy cloth/canvas album with bound-in inner sleeves holding 10 LPs, as well as a full-size, 20-page booklet with extensive notes on the music, as well as a lengthy biography of Toscanini, replete with fascinating archival photos. All texts are in Italian only.
The volumes are as follows (please see photos for full contents listing):
Volume I: AT-1: Beethoven
Volume II: AT-2: Verdi & Wagner
Volume III: AT-3: Great Romantics
Volume IV: AT-4: 20th Century Works
Volume V: AT-5: Celebrated Works
PLEASE NOTE:
Boxed for shipping, these 5 volumes weigh 17.2 kg (or about 38 lbs) – it is all quite heavy, but very impressive.
CONDITION:
The gradations of condition I use are as follows: MINT, Near-Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor.
The condition of the 5 albums is NM (one is VG, but could be repaired to NM). The outer boards to all 5 volumes show some minor discoloration and aging, but that is all. There are no splits to the bound-in paper sleeves, owners' markings, or other defects. In one volume, the binding has become a bit loose and the paper sleeves are no longer held by the binding. Although this could be repaired, I leave that to the buyer.
The condition of the 5 booklets is NM throughout.
The condition of the 50 LPs is EX to NM-. Though the surfaces are not absolutely silent (and thus I have rated it NM vs. MINT) these are fine copies and playback is superb. If you must have flawless surfaces, then please do not buy this set – these rate as NM collector's copies.