[LarryB]

I've seen a reference in a discography to a U.S. Columbia album titled "Frank Sinatra", comprising the following:

side one:
All Or Nothing At All; You'll Never Know; Close To You; If You Please
side two:
Sunday, Monday Or Always; People Will Say We're In Love; Oh, What A Beautiful Morning.

The only number given is Set C (no numerical reference) which I thought was the numbering system for only the 78s album sets.

I've never seen this one. Does anyone know if it ever existed and, if so, have any details of the release date and artwork?

[Nancy]

The expert on this would be Chuck Granata and I've sent him a link to this page.

[LarryB]

Thanks Nancy. Much appreciated.

I should have mentioned that it's referred to as a 10", which indicates it being released between 1948 and 1954.

[Chuck Granata]

Excellent question, Larry! I am en route and will answer it fully as soon as I get back to my computer...

[LarryB]

A thought occurs to me.

Maybe the discographer got his wires crossed and was thinking of the album casing which was issued by Columbia in 1944 without any records. I think the idea was that it would be a housing for (probably) Frank's first four Columbia 78's. I guess that would account for the Set C catalogue reference (I don't know whether the casing was given a number as I don't have it).

Just a thought.

[Chuck Granata]

Hello Larry,

You've got my answer! Yes - I believe that the "album" the discography refers to is the generic album folder that Columbia issued between late 1943 and early 1944. As far as I know, this was not issued with discs (although that's an educated guess, based on the release information that is in the Columbia Records archive). There are no titles listed on the album front or inside the jacket. It is pictured in the 12-CD box set The Columbia Years - The Complete Recordings 1943-1952.

There is no catalog number assigned to the folio; I don't have it in front of me, so I can't verify the "C" designation. You are correct: the catalog numbers for all Columbia 10-inch, 78-RPM pop/jazz album sets contain the "C" prefix.

Hope this clarifies it...

[LarryB]

Originally Posted by Chuck Granata

Hope this clarifies it...

I think it it does. Thank you.

I thought it unlikely that a U.S. Columbia 10" album had escaped everyone's attention.

If I had the folio, I'd put the four a capella 78s into it and think of it as Frank's first album.

I saw it for sale on e-bay a few years ago and didn't get it. I've kicked myself ever since.

[vinvictory]

My dad has lots of the old 78's. Never even heard them. Didn't have a player to play them on. But he kept them pristine in fancy bound books and seemed to treasure them. I grew up listening to the 33's. The capitol ones from the 50's are the best ever. As new and fresh as when they were recorded.
Truth is i haven't played them in years because of cd's, so i guess you can say history has repeated itself.

vinny b.