Sold Date: June 17, 2021
Start Date: June 10, 2021
Final Price: $41.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 4
Seller Feedback: 1037
Buyer Feedback: 0

This is a very rare original first pressing of the fourth album by the Doors, Soft Parade, released in 1969 by Elektra Records on the original tan label, the last of the Doors albums to be released in the US on the tan/brown label. Because this album was released on the cusp of the change of labels, that subsequent red label with the large capital E occupying most of the top of the label is often misidentified as the first pressing. Many more copies of this album with the red label were pressed than the original tan label, which is why this edition is so rare. The album was pressed by Allentown Record Company in Allentown, PA, as shown by initials AL etched in the dead wax near the labels on both album sides. The album is highlighted by the title cut and the hit song Touch Me, but also includes such standouts as Wild Child. Easy Ride and Running Blue, among others. At listing there were no near mint original copies of this edition available from a US seller on eBay. There was only one original edition described as near mint available from a US seller on DISCOGS for over $100 and several copies described as very good plus condition for over $100.

The LP is very shiny and visually is on the higher end of very good to very good plus condition showing some very light marks that cannot be felt, although there is a visible mark that extends throughout the last two cuts on Side 1. Overall the LP plays very cleanly with just a few very light tick/pops in a few places, most notably near the end of the next to last cut on first album side, but still at a level below the music. This is still very nice playable copy of a very rare album. The gatefold cover is in very good condition. All corners are reasonably sharp with light tip wear The spine is strong and clean with slight wear. The top seam has a one inch tape repaired slit from the mouth but otherwise is clean. There is about a five inch tape repaired split in the middle of the bottom seam of the pocket side of the cover. The front and back covers are clean with light wear. The inside of gatefold is clean. In grading I use EX instead of VG++ for item that is just a notch below near mint.

The LP will be shipped within 24 hours of payment, which is expected within 3 days of auction end, in specially made LP mailer with the LP separated from the cover (for unsealed items) and well packaged to protect the item from damage during shipment. Returns are accepted with buyer paying return shipping cost as long as contact is made within 30 days of receipt and as long as LP is returned in the condition received. Return of sealed items will only be permitted if returned unopened. Please note that I will not grant partial refunds

Shipping cost is $4 per LP which includes cost of material used. To reduce shipping cost, I will combine shipping on multiple items bid and won during the same auction cycle. Please do not pay until I have had the opportunity to manually adjust the shipping cost. I cannot hold items for multiple auction cycles as it will affect my EBAY standing in so far as it concerns shipment time.

I only accept bids from continental US based buyers and will only ship to an address within the continental US, recorded for the buyer on PAYPAL, which is the only method I can accept for payment. However, if a buyer registers on Ebay with an address that is not their residence but merely the address of an international freight forwarding commercial entity that then forwards the item outside the US, I will cancel that transaction and block the bidder from future auctions. I cannot and will not be responsible for damage that may be caused to an item because it is subject of international reshipment.

Please keep in mind that I am a person looking to sell their collection and not a store or commercial seller. I play grade open items sold and do the best I can in the process to give an honest assessment of the item As is shown by my feedback I think I do a good job of satisfying most buyers. I leave feedback for all buyers and if you are satisfied with the transaction I would greatly appreciate positive feedback from the buyer as well. It does not take very long and is very important to me as seller. If for any reason you cannot leave positive feedback or are not satisfied, please have the courtesy of contacting me before leaving negative or neutral feedback. In almost all cases the issue can be worked out to the buyers satisfaction even if it means returning the item. If the item is not as described I will bear all shipping costs including return shipping. If a buyer behaves in a rude or unreasonable manner, and/ or fails to contact me to address issues they have with an item before negative or neutral feedback is left, I will block that buyer from further auction participation. I also reserve the right to block any buyer that leaves negative or neutral feedback when I have done everything possible to put the buyer in a position as if the transaction had not taken place.

If a buyer requests LP return because it is claimed that an LP is not as described and on return it is found that LP is just as described, I will block that person from further auction participation. I felt I had to take this latest action as I have encountered few too many people who do not do their due diligence in cleaning the record before play, or are just plain dishonest. I will also report to eBay any buyer that returns an album at my expense where there is nothing wrong with album. If you want to return an album that you just do not want and there is nothing wrong with the LP, then unless you want to be blocked from future auctions, you must pay return postage, simple as that.

I am auctioning almost 5000 records of my own collection, including rock. soul, blues and jazz, that are very clean and, included are some very rare items that rarely are available