“We wanted this collection to have 
it all! The great bands, the soloists and 
the singers. It's good to know this 
music is all here ... all together . . . 
for now and the future. " 
— Count Basie 
T he greatest authorities on the music of 
America's big band era — musicians and 
music critics alike — have joined together, 
for the first time, to assemble the definitive collec- 
tion of big band recordings. 
This is a collection unlike any issued before. 
For the bandleaders, writers and critics who 
comprise this panel are the very same ones who 
shaped the big band era. 
These experts enlisted the cooperation of 
the record companies which now hold the origi- 
nal master recordings of the big name bands. Thus, 
the panel was able to make its selections from 
virtually every big band performance ever 
recorded — making this the first such collection ever 
assembled from all the big band record labels. 
As a result, this will be the most complete, 
comprehensive and authoritative collection 
ever devoted to big band music. And it will be 
the first ever available on proof-quality records of 
exceptional fidelity. 
All the great bands, singers and soloists 
in their greatest recorded performances 
The Archive Collection of The Greatest Recordings 
of the Big Band Era will be all-encompassing. A 
collection which reflects the musical diversity of 
the era. The crisp swing of Benny Goodman and 
Artie Shaw, the relaxed rhythm of Count Basie 
and Jimmie Lunceford, the bright dixieland of 
Bob Crosby, the sophisticated stylings of Duke 
Ellington, the dreamy delicate sounds of Ray 
Noble, the soft, sweet music of Guy Lombardo 
and Sammy Kaye. It will also include: 
The musical forerunners of the era — Paul 
Whiteman, with Bing Crosby and Bix Beider- 
becke; Fletcher Henderson, who influenced 
Benny Goodman and many others; the early 
sounds of Glen Gray and Fred Waring. 
The nostalgic themes of the big bands — Glenn 
Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" . . . Tommy Dor- 
sey's "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" . . . 
Louis Armstrong's "When It's Sleepy Time Down 
South" . . . Vaughn Monroe's "Racing with the 
Moon." 
The greatest hits of an entire generation — 
Charlie Barnet's "Cherokee," Duke Ellington's 
"Take the 'A' Train," Artie Shaw's "Frenesi." 
Frankie Carle's "Sunrise Serenade." Tommy 
Dorsey's "Opus One," Eddy Duchin's "Stormy 
Weather," and Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, 
Sing," with Gene Krupa. 
The big band vocalists that audiences loved . . . 
and still remember. Frank Sinatra with Tommy 
Dorsey, Peggy Lee with Benny Goodman, Doris 
Day with Les Brown, Anita O'Day with Gene 
Krupa, Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell with 
Jimmy Dorsey. And many more, including Perry 
Como. Lena Horne and Ella Fitzgerald. 
The ultimate collection 
of original big band recordings 
This is a collection that would be difficult — or 
impossible — for any individual to assemble. For 
these selections have been drawn from the ar- 
chives of all the major record companies . . . and 
such vintage labels as Brunswick, OKeh. Vocal- 
ion, Bluebird and Perfect. 
Many of these recordings — like Wayne 
King's "Melody of Love" — have been unavail- 
able for years. Others are hard to find recordings of 
early radio broadcasts . . . such as Frank Sinatra's 
emotional farewell to the Tommy Dorsey Or- 
chestra, doing his spectacular rendition of "The 
Song Is You." Still others were only released on 
78s — and never re-issued: Eddy Duchin's "OP 
Man Mose." and Bob Crosby's "Black Zephyr." 
In many cases, the panel considered several 
different versions of the same song, before select- 
ing a particular recording for the collection. 
Thus, every selection will be a classic perfor- 
mance. An original recording of the era ... re- 
captured on records of superior listening quality. 
Superb quality for today's audio systems 
These records will be produced to the highest 
standards possible by The Franklin Mint Record 
Society — judged by audio experts to produce 
some of the finest records available today. 
Each recording will first undergo a pains- 
taking restoration process — electronically 
"cleaned" groove-by-groove to eliminate extra- 
neous surface noise and preserve the original 
brilliance of the music. 
The records will be pressed in a dust- free 
"clean room" using a special vinyl that contains 
its own anti-static element. This meticulous 
pressing technique, together with the special 
record vinyl, results in a more rigid, durable and 
dust-resistant record. A proof quality record that 
actually sounds better than the original — and 
may be played through any audio system. 
Hardbound albums and 
big band histories provided 
In keeping with the importance of this collec- 
tion, special hardbound albums have been de- 
signed to house and protect all one hundred 
proof-quality records. 
Each album holds two long-playing records, 
together with an expertly written commen- 
tary — prepared by members of the advisory 
panel, and illustrated with photographs of the 
bands. A complete reference index to bandlead- 
ers, songs and solo artists will also be provided. 
Available by subscription only 
If you remember the big bands ... if you've ever 
Strict record pressing standards, and audio and visual inspec- 
tion. assure high quality. Ordinary records (left) have static 
charges that attract dust, causing surface noise. But the special 
anti-static \inyl used in Franklin Mint records (right) assures 
clearer sound. Electrostatic meter tests show that the Franklin 
Mint record has only one-fifth the static charge of ordinary 
records. 
wished to relive the music of that period ... or if 
you've only just discovered this unique sound in 
American popular music . . . this is your oppor- 
tunity. An opportunity to share and enjoy — 
with all the members of your family — the un- 
forgettable sound of the big bands. 
The collection may be acquired only by di- 
rect subscription. It will not be sold in record 
stores. To subscribe now, mail the attached appli- 
cation to The Franklin Mint Record Society, 
Franklin Center, Pennsylvania 19091. Please do 
so by August 31. 1981. 
The Advisory Panel 
COUNT BASIE for more than 40 years, leader of one of the 
most consistently swinging bands in history. 
LES BROWN oustanding writer, arranger and leader of one 
of the era's most popular dance bands. 
DAVE DEXTER. JR. a record producer for 31 years, former 
Down feat editor and author of The Jazz Story and Playback 
LIONEL HAMPTON a leader whose exuberance has inspired 
musicians and audiences alike for more than five decades. 
WOODY HERMAN who continues to be one of the most 
popular and successful of all leaders — discoverer of many 
talented musicians. 
HARRY JAMES a brilliant trumpeter of both beautiful 
ballads and rip-roaring swing. 
SAMMY KAYE "Mister Swing and Sway " master of the 
sweet sound — always popular, always danceable. 
NEIL McCAFFREY music critic and editor of American Dance 
Band Discography and The Complete Encyclopedia of Popular 
Music and Jazz. 
GEORGE T. SIMON music critic, record producer, author of 
the definitive work on dance bands — The Big Bands — and 
The Best of the Music Makers. 
RICHARD SUDHALTER jazz critic of The New York Post, 
author of Bix: Man and Legend, and a widely respected jazz 
cometist. 
JOHN S. WILSON jazz and popular music critic of The New 
York Times author of Jazz: The Transition Years The 
Collector s Jazz: Traditional and Swing. The Collector s Jazz 
Modem. 
