Vocal Jazz Appraisal

Ella Fitzgerald: These Are The Blues Vinyl LP

This item is a vintage vinyl record album, specifically 'Ella Fitzgerald: These Are The Blues' on the Verve Records label, identifiable by the 'VG-4062' catalog number in the upper left corner and the 'STEREO' designation in the upper right. The album cover features a striking, bluesy portrait of Ella Fitzgerald with dark blue, green, and reddish-brown hues dominating the color palette, conveying a somber and soulful mood. Her face is rendered in an artistic, somewhat abstract style, with prominent red lips. The artist's name and album title are printed in white sans-serif lettering across the top. A 'Verve' logo, contained within an oval, is visible in the lower left corner. The album appears to be enclosed in a clear plastic protective sleeve, which exhibits some creasing and tearing, particularly in the upper right quadrant, suggesting it has been handled or stored for some time. Below the main album art, a handwritten signature or inscription 'DAVID BROWNING' is discernible. This is likely a previous owner's mark rather than an artist's signature. The overall condition of the album cover itself, beneath the plastic sleeve, appears to be relatively good with minimal visible wear, although any corner dings or seam splits are obscured or not clearly visible. The record likely dates from the 1960s, reflecting the era of Verve's major jazz releases and the stereo designation. The craftsmanship is typical of album covers from that period, with printed cardboard construction. The presence of the protective sleeve, despite its damage, indicates a level of care from previous ownership, which could suggest the vinyl itself is in good condition, although it cannot be assessed from this image. This item represents a significant piece of jazz history.