I am not a record dealer in any way, shape or form, but I do want to help those who look at my records to have a fair and uniform appraisal of my albums. That said, I wanted to find the best way to grade them, so I am using the Goldmine system, with a place to note any other information that might help you decide. The UK albums I sell are my own, and have been in my possession in the UK, Canada and the US for many years. I tried to take care of them, not to an audiophiles standard, but at least as far as cleaning them and making sure the tone arm, cartridge and stylus were used gently. When an album is not mine, I will inform you, with as much information as I have.  
Title: TRACY CHAPMAN
Artist: TRACY CHAPMAN
Format: VINYL ALBUM
Condition Vinyl: VG ++
Condition Sleeve: VG++
Any Additional Items:
Label: ELEKTRA 9
Released: 1988
Catalog Number: E1 60774
Matrix Information: STE 60774 A-1B G/60774 B/C G
Any Other Pertinent Information: Bought this album when it came out in 1988, didn't play it much, so it is in excellent shape. One slight note, at the very end of "Fast Car, the last couple of revs, there's a slight tick, no jump or scratch, and then it is gone. The rest of the album is excellent, quiet, no crackles, nothing to mar the music. I will try to use the Goldmine Magazine Grading System to grade these albums, here is a description of the parameters and grading they use:

Mint (M) - Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. (Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.)

Near Mint (NM or M-) A nearly perfect record. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like.

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Very Good Plus (VG+  - A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.

Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK".

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play.

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint.

Very Good (VG) - Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.                                                                     

Good (G), Good Plus (G+) - Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white).

A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object.

Poor (P), Fair (F) - The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon.

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