A test pressing without a catalog number from Decca UK [matrix no.: ZAL3997/ZAL3998] (12-inch single-sided disc, stereo, set of 2). Pink and blue half-circle, deep groove label, flat heavy vinyl, complete first release. Matrix numbers are "1E" and "2K". Mother numbers and stamper codes are naturally "1-B" and "1-B". There is no jacket as it was not originally sold commercially, but as is customary for distribution to production personnel, a complete first-release mono jacket is included. Like-new, pristine condition. The discs are in like-new, pristine condition. There are no characteristic label bumps. It's usually pointless to seek condition in records of this type, but honestly, I'm just impressed it's survived in such a state of preservation. It's impossible to ask for more from this record. The recordings include: Wieniawski: "Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16" Elgar: "Salut d'Amour, Op. 12" Vecsey: "Wind" Kreisler: "Banjo and Fiddle" Chopin (arr. Milstein): "Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp Minor" Smetana: "From My Homeland, No. 2" Suk: "Burlesque, Op. 17-4" Achron (arr. Zimbalist): "Hebrew Melody, Op. 33" Sarasate: "Zigeunerweisen, Op. 20" Hubay: "Zephyr, Op. 30-5" Moszkowski (arr. Sarasate): "Guitar, Op. 45-2" Bazzini: "Dance of the Gnomes, Op. 25" Performers: Ruggiero Ricci (violin) Ernest Lush (piano) Recorded May 5, 1958, at Decca's No. 3 Studio, West Hampstead, London. A masterpiece, no explanation needed. The stereo take from this session was a phantom record, planned for general release in the UK but ultimately never assigned a catalog number in the SXL2000 series and shelved. Decca UK released it only in mono at the end of '58, and the initial stereo release was only on the US London label. It's very rare for a record to reach this stage of production and not be released commercially, but due to various circumstances, the release on the UK DECCA SXL format was postponed. Judging from the disc's shape, it appears to have been pressed in 1958, shortly after the recording. There are probably only a few sets in the world in this state of preservation. A phantom record.