Jimmy Smith A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2 Original US First Press Blue Note BLP 1548 RVG EAR

Jimmy Smith A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2 Original US First Press Blue Note BLP 1548 RVG EAR 47 West 63rd. St. Hard to find Vol 2. OG Vinyl.

Dead wax has RVG etched, including the "9M". No trademark® under the E of NOTE on the labels. Address at bottom edge reads 47 West 63rd. St., New York 23. Cover is laminated, blank spine.

**OG US FIRST PRESS RARE**

Visually Graded:
Cover: VG has 5 inch bottom seam split, 2 inch seam split on top and small paper loss on spine seam.
Inner Sleeve: 
Record: VG+
Blue Note BLP 1548
LP Video:

Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2 (1957) — Original US First Press

Label: Blue Note – BLP 1548
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album • Original US Mono First Press (1957)
Genre: Hard Bop, Soul-Jazz, Organ Jazz
Condition: True OG First Press • Highly Scarce Volume 2

---

Why This Record Is Special

A Date With Jimmy Smith, Vol. 2 is one of the most coveted mid-’50s Blue Note titles, showcasing Jimmy Smith at the peak of his explosive Hammond B3 era. True first presses of BLP 1548 are notoriously hard to find — especially with all early Blue Note markers present.

For collectors of original Blue Note, this is a high-priority, investment-grade piece, known for its deep, warm mono sound and classic Reid Miles cover design.

---

First Pressing Identifiers (100% OG)

This copy includes every defining trait of a true first US Blue Note pressing:

Dead Wax / Stamper Marks

• RVG hand-etched

• Includes the “9M” etching

• Deep-groove both sides (period correct)

Label Details

• No trademark ® under the “E” of NOTE (correct for early Blue Note)

• Bottom rim text reads:
  “47 West 63rd. St., New York 23” — the key early address

• Original Blue Note deep-groove labels, mono

Jacket / Cover Features

• Original laminated front cover

• Blank spine (first-press characteristic)

• Printed at 47 West 63rd St., matching label period

• Heavy cardboard tip-on sleeve

These confirm this is the real OG, not a second label, Liberty, or later deep-groove reissue.

---

Music & Session Notes

Jimmy Smith is joined here by:

• Lou Donaldson – alto sax

• Eddie McFadden – guitar

• Donald Bailey – drums

Highlights include soulful burners and blues-drenched grooves that define Smith’s early Blue Note mastery.

Standouts:

• “I Cover the Waterfront”

• “Somebody Loves Me”

• “It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie”

---

Collector Value

BLP 1548 is one of the hardest to find true OG Blue Note volumes, with Vol. 2 significantly scarcer than Vol. 1. First press copies with:

• RVG + 9M

• No ®

• 47 West 63rd labels

• Laminated OG jacket

…are highly prized by Blue Note collectors and continue to rise in value.

Perfect for:

• Deep Blue Note collectors

• RVG-mono enthusiasts

• First-press jazz archivists

• Anyone building a serious 1500-series collection

---

Searching for OG Blue Note first presses? We got you.

blue note 1548, jimmy smith vol 2 original, RVG ear 9m vinyl, 47 west 63rd blue note, deep groove jazz lp, 1950s blue note original press

We conservatively grade our records.
Record grading:

• Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way, likely never played, and still sealed.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): Nearly perfect. The record shows no obvious signs of wear and looks as if it was just opened. No visible marks or scratches.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows slight signs of use, such as light scuffs or very minor scratches, but plays without any major deterioration in sound quality.

• Very Good (VG): Noticeable wear with some surface noise, light scratches, or groove wear, but still plays through without skipping.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The record plays but with significant surface noise, scratches, and wear. The cover may have visible damage or splits.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The record may be damaged and is barely playable. Typically used only for highly collectible records.

Cover grading: 

• Mint (M): The cover is flawless, with no signs of wear. Often still sealed with no corner dings, creases, or ring wear.

• Near Mint (NM or M-): The cover looks almost new, with only the slightest signs of handling. There may be very minimal wear, but no significant flaws like writing, splits, or tears.

• Very Good Plus (VG+): The cover shows light wear, such as minor scuffing, small corner creases, or slight ring wear. No major damage, but a well-cared-for album with minor imperfections.

• Very Good (VG): Moderate wear is visible, including ring wear, light edge or corner damage, small seam splits, or slight discoloration. Still presentable but clearly used.

• Good/Good Plus (G/G+): The cover shows significant wear, such as noticeable ring wear, seam splits, heavy creasing, or writing. It may still hold together but looks heavily worn.

• Fair/Poor (F/P): The cover is heavily damaged, with major seam splits, tears, extensive writing, water damage, or severe ring wear. It may barely hold together or be incomplete.