Sold Date: July 1, 2020
Start Date: June 21, 2020
Final Price: $19.99 (USD)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 259
Buyer Feedback: 18

Cream "Wheels Of Fire" Great 1968 Rock Classic! VG+ 2-LPs (UK Polydor 583 031/2)

This famous and rare original (UK Polydor 583 031/2) two album set is in great condition. I just played both discs (several times - it is still one of my favorites) to check for imperfections - there is some background noise/crackle from time to time, but no visibly deep scratches. In spite of it being 52 years old, the surfaces of both albums look really clean.

As much as I would like to grade the vinyl as excellent based solely on looks, I can only rate the sound playback as VG+ using the following definitions:

(VG++ (“Excellent”)  -- A good description of a VG++ record is it looks like it has minimal to no wear, no scratches but some very slight signs of use.

Cover: A VG++ cover is typically free of creases and ring wear and will not have seam splits of any kind. Check photos for signs of wear.

NOTE: These are high standards, and they are not on a sliding scale. A record or sleeve from the 1950s must meet the same standards as one from the 1990s or 2000s!

Very Good Plus (VG+)
A VG+ record may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches or pops that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not mis-shaped the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

Cover: VG+ covers have minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom or top, the most vulnerable locations. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking or a name written on it.

Regardless, the albums both play well and play well loud.

I play each album before listing it to best determine the condition of the album. This also gives me one last chance to say goodbye to my old albums. As an audiophile, I took care of all my albums and always used a disc cleaner before spinning them (still do). I only single played my albums and never multi-stacked them on the turntable. The albums were always put back into their jackets after playing them. As a result, all albums I put up for sale are of good, very good, excellent or near prime condition.

All the albums I am putting up for sale are my own and mostly date from 1974 to 1988. Since I periodically had roommates in the old days, I had a tendency to put my name on covers and album labels. Most of the albums that had album art inserts still have the inserts. I wasn’t into putting them up on the wall.

I will not list an album that is too beat up and worn. Typically, any album I bought before September of 1969 could be suspect because a less than precision turntable was used. However, as others have pointed out, older LPs (1950s to about 1971) tend to play better than they look, and newer LPs (at least until 1989) tend to play worse than they look.

Between 1969 and 1974, I had a pretty good Sylvania stereo system and turntable. Any album purchased in 1974 or later was played on a top of the line Dual 1229 turntable teamed up with a great sound system. I still have the system, the 1229 and a Micro Acoustic needle and cartridge that work great. As such, the post 1974 albums are mostly in very good to excellent to primo playing condition.

If you are interested in collecting some great vinyl, I have a few hundred excellent discs, some with amazing “presence of sound” that you sure won’t experience with ear pods (i.e., Elton John’s first Greatest Hits album, Procol Harem’s Grand Hotel, Linda Ronstadt’s Heart Like A Wheel). I’ve always had eclectic tastes and my interests include a wide spectrum of artists and musical types. My collection includes folk, rock, folk rock, jazz, new age, country and classical. So, if you are looking for great old albums that were not exactly “Top 40” radio tunes, then you should periodically follow me and check out the albums I put up for auction or sale. You can bid with confidence knowing that I am passing along my personal collection and have a 100% rating on EBay.

All albums are shipped in album mailers via USPS Media Mail.

Thanks for looking.