Chopin Waltzes (complete) - Rubinstein - RCA Victor DC-18 Mono Reel to Reel

Description

Chopin Waltzes (complete) - Rubinstein - RCA Victor DC-18 Mono Reel to Reel 7 1/2ips
Chopin
Rubinstein
Solo
Waltzes
Recorded in 1955
On a mono pre-recorded reel to reel released in 1956 and a title likely abandoned with the other RCA mono reel titles around 1958.
Runs flat, packs tight and very smooth for its age (see pic) and sounds outstanding.  There is a very tiny drop out at roughly the :06 point of No. 14.  By the way it sounds, I suspect it's in the master used but have nothing concrete to support that.
Link to a quick and dirty high res via 4-track deck transfer (reversed track removed post recording) is available by request.
I received this on a pretty ugly, small center Ampex reel wound to play side two.
The second side original printed leader is here.  The first side one is not and a long plain white leader has been added.
The reel itself has been swapped to a much cleaner, larger center reel and is now wound to play side 1.
These early mono tapes did not have labels, just printed leaders.
The track layout is in sides and would play best on a stereo 1/2-Track machine with the reversed channel shut off.* That said, it sounds quite good on a 4 track deck using the same method.
The top section of the box has seen better days.  The front cover is showing moderate shelf wear.  The sides are discolored.  The corners are worn with one split and the finger hold split.  The hinge is split.  The inner/bottom box is much better and structurally excellent.
To repeat:  there is a very tiny drop out at roughly the :06 point of No. 14.
Link to a quick and dirty high res via 4-track deck transfer (reversed track removed post recording) is available by request.
Chopin - Rubinstein - Solo - Waltzes - '55 (released '56) - pre-recorded reel.
I considered keeping this one.
Happy bidding!
* Unless you happen to have a high end and working half track mono machine sitting around.