TESTED 7 x 78 RPM 10" Record Album Box Set: Guys And Dolls - 1950 - Decca Album DA-825 

Comments: This album was fully play tested after the records were cleaned. The sound quality is simply amazing! 

Record Condition (For the Eyes): The records are all glossy with only very light surface wear. The VJM grade for the records varies. Most sides are graded E+. A few are graded E. There is literally only one defect over all of the 14 sides that affects play. There is a small speck - a shellac blemish I believe - near the end of Side 7 that produces two ticks. There are a couple other imperfections that don't affect play. Discs 1 and 7 have slight warps that didn't affect play at all on my machine. Record 3 has a cosmetic hairline crack that can't be felt and which plays silently. It is at about the 1 o'clock position in the Side 12 photo. It can be seen on the flip side (Side 3) as well, but doesn't show up well in my Side 3 photo.  

Record Condition (For the Ears): All seven records play with no skips or sticks of course. General background record surface noise is negligible. The records play about like new without significant background record surface noise. The previously mentioned surface speck on Side 7 produced two moderate clicks (see the video sound sample). The sound quality is about as good as it gets. The records provide a very enjoyable listen. (I play-test on a Newcomb school-style phonograph with a 3 mil stylus.)

Sound Sample: There is a two minute sound sample video in the photos section. The first half of the sound sample demonstrates "If I Were A Bell", the Side 7 song where a little speck causes a couple ticks and the record has a warp that doesn't affect play. The second sample is "Luck Be A Lady" because it's a great familiar song and continues demonstrating just how good these records sound. The sound quality for these two songs is a good representation of the sound quality of the whole album. Crank up the volume for best results! If you hear static-click sounds when the view changes in the video, it is most likely from my phone microphone reacting to the movement or my grip and not in the music.

Labels Condition: The labels are in beautiful condition with easy to enjoy text and graphics. I didn't see any writing/tape/stickers on the labels. Please excuse the glare on the labels in some of the record photos.

Sleeve Type and Condition: 

The records were issued in a seven sleeve boxed set where the sleeves are hinged inside the box. For easier handling and shipping, I have placed the records in other sleeves as shown in one of the photos. You can rejoin the records with the album when you're ready to file the album on a shelf.

Please see the photos for condition details because I won't mention every little thing in words.

The top cover of the box was originally attached to the bottom by the vinyl-like fabric strip you can see on the left side of the album. As often happens, that connection was severed with use. The box is otherwise in good shape with no splits. The front art work doesn't show very much wear. There is a small price sticker on the front. There is a little edge and corner wear that you can see in the photos. The lettering on the spine is bold and easy to read. The tear that severed the connection between box top and bottom runs mostly along the edge of the spine but takes a turn inward near the bottom and runs between the "8" and the "2" in the catalog number. 

Be careful handling the box top. With the spine no longer connected to the box bottom, the fabric (or is it paper) of the spine is loose. It should probably be glued down to prevent an accident. For now, just be aware that a careless move could cause more damage if fingers accidently catch under the loose fabric/paper. The same warning applies to a lesser extent to the box bottom. The box is currently inside a poly sleeve to prevent the type of damage this paragraph warns of.

Inside the box, the liner notes look great. The sleeves are all still firmly attached and show only minor wear. The box bottom itself is solid with no serious wear aside from the aforementioned split from the box top. There is some foxing seen inside the box bottom. This album was apparently exposed to humid basement storage at some time. I've let it air out for several weeks, but you may notice a very faint old record musty smell if you stick your nose down inside. I grade the cover VG+. 

Inserts: None. 

Please see the photos for more info and a look at condition. Use your zoom-in powers for a real close look.

Shipping Notes: I'm an expert record packer, if I do say so myself! Rest assured that I know what I'm doing when it comes to packing records for safe shipping. The records will be shipped outside of the album cover in a protected, padded bundle.

A word on costs for safely shipping shellac 78 RPM records: They are fragile and easily breakable. (You know that!) If shipped in packaging that would be perfectly safe for a vinyl record, the chance of breakage is pretty good. I pack shellac 78's in an oversize box. The record is sandwiched between custom corrugated cardboard pads. The padded record is wrapped in bubble wrap for shock absorption. The whole bundle is surrounded by other padding such as wadded newspaper, packing peanuts and/or air pillows for a safe journey through the postal system. Proper packing materials cost me a bundle per package and the costs keep going up. On top of that, another pile of money is needed to buy the USPS media mail postage. Shipping costs are very real and add up to more than most people realize. It might not be apparent to you, but the amount that I ask you to pay for shipping is actually less than what it actually costs me to ship a record. 

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*************************************************************** Y O U R   Q U E S T I O N S   I M A G I N E D   &   A N S W E R E D ***************************************************** *********
M y   G r a d i n g   M e t h o d   f o r   7 8 r p m   R e c o r d s :
Grades assigned to 78's shouldn't be confusing, but some confusion exists. The Goldmine Magazine grading system is commonly used for LPs and 45's, but the Vintage Jazz Mart Magazine (VJM) grading system is commonly used for 78's. Buyers accustomed to VJM grading might mistakenly interpret Goldmine grades for 78s in an unfairly negative way. VJM grades tend to give a more positive impression than corresponding Goldmine grades. 
I make use of both grading systems. The reason I use both systems is because Ebay only allows Goldmine grading values for "item specifics". Since many 78 buyers expect VJM grades, I also include a VJM grade in comments along with the corresponding Goldmine grade in the Ebay item specifics. I use Goldmine grading for sleeves.
I generally add descriptive comments that hopefully make the condition more clear. COMMENTS IN THE DESCRIPTION ARE A PART OF THE GRADE.  Buyers should be able to make informed decisions based on the letter grade, comments, photos and sound samples (if provided). 
THE GRADE LISTED IN THE "ITEM SPECIFICS" SECTION IS THE GOLDMINE/EBAY GRADE. THE VJM GRADE IS SHOWN IN DESCRIPTION AND CONDITION NOTES ONLY.
Record grading is heavily reliant on physical appearance, but also takes the sound of the record into consideration. That is why I play-test most 78s before assigning a final grade. (If no play-test was done, then the visual-only grade should be considered provisional, not final.)  The play-test can raise or lower the grade derived by visual inspection. For instance, a record might look E- but sound E+ and end up graded E. Some level of general background record surface noise is expected with 78s even when surfaces look really good. General background record surface noise only lowers a grade if it seems excessive for the visual condition. I usually comment on the level of background surface noise heard during my play tests. Record label condition is also noted and can, but doesn't necessarily, affect grade.   The VJM record grading System vs. The Goldmine record grading system (This is my interpretation / adaptation of the guidelines. The attempt at mapping VJM grades to Goldmine grades is my own and is probably not perfect.)
N (VJM) vs. M (Goldmine). New and unplayed (rarely used since it is next to impossible to assert "unplayed" for unsealed records).
N- (VJM) vs. NM or M- (Goldmine). Looks very close to perfect, but may have been played. Signs of wear or damage are negligible. Any extremely small imperfections should be noted.
E+ (VJM) vs. EX (Goldmine). Looks and plays extremely well with only light signs of handling and light wear. There may be very light, superficial scuffs / marks. Record surface noise is typically negligible but may be reasonably mild if noted.
E  (VJM) vs. VG+ (Goldmine). Glossy with mostly insignificant signs of wear like light surface scuffs or small blemishes whose effect on play is minimal. Small blemishes, such as a tiny shellac pimple, that might be heard for a few revolutions could exist but usually will be noted.
E- (VJM) vs. VG (Goldmine). E- represents a higher end average grade for a 78. Retains some shine but may have a more significant covering of light surface scuffs and a few light scratches. Record surface noise is more noticeable but the record plays fine and the music can be enjoyed.
V+ (VJM) vs. VG- (Goldmine). V+ represents a lower end average grade for a 78. Scuffs, light scratches and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate to mildly heavy. Distortion and distractions while playing are not overwhelming. Surface noise is heard but the music is not buried by it. Still, no skips or repeats during play.
V (VJM) vs. G+ (Goldmine). Moderately heavy wear, but still playable. Surface noise and scratches are more audible, possibly competing with the music levels, but not overtaking them.
V- (VJM) vs. G (Goldmine). Playable, but distortion and heavy greying may be evident especially in louder passages. Surface noise and scratches may be quite loud, competing with the music for attention, but the music can still be heard well enough to be enjoyed. The listener may be required to tolerate heavier surface noise.
G+, G-, G (VJM) vs. G- (Goldmine). Different degrees of a grade for records with thoroughly dulled surfaces and probably lots of scuffs and scratches. Can usually be played without skips or sticks, but maybe not. The music might be nearly buried in surface noise but can certainly be heard.
Grades of F and P are reserved for records that are in very, very bad shape that play with more serious issues. I will almost never bother to offer records with F or P grades for sale. With rare exceptions, nobody wants them.
I m p o r t   T a x e s   /   F e e s   F o r   I n t e r  n a t i o n a l   B u y e r s
For items to be delivered outside of the USA, buyers should be aware that any customs fees / taxes that are required by your government are your responsibility and are not covered by the cost of the item or the shipping charges.
S h i p m e n t   S a f e t y
I promise to pack your item securely, no matter what it is. Everything I ship gets packed well, so don't worry about a thing. 
If appropriate I will add insurance coverage. Sometimes I will add signature tracking (USA) when your item is shipped. Signature tracking ensures that the postal service doesn't leave your valuable item unattended on your doorstep out in the sun or rain - it has to be handed over face to face. If you order something rare and/or worth a bit, be prepared to have to accept delivery in person.
W h a t   a b o u t   c o m b i n e d    s h i p p i n g   f o r    m u l t i p l e   i t e m s ?
When multiple items are shipped together, I can almost always give you a better deal on the shipping cost compared to the individual shipping costs. I promise to give you the best rate possible based on the items purchased and the shipping method required.
For "Buy It Now" items (most of what I offer), simply add each item that you want to your shopping cart. When ready to commit to buying, request a total from me from your cart and I'll send an invoice as soon as I can. Since I'm not a computer and I do other things like sleep and take the dogs for walks, you might not receive an immediate response, but I will get back to you as soon as possible. If you decide to pay for items you want individually instead of requesting a total from the shopping cart, I will promptly send back whatever money I can for a shipping discount. Some items are not compatible for combined shipping.  Combining shipping might require changing the shipping method or increase packaging materials expense.  A few items that I offer are not eligible for combined shipping.  Of course it is ok to ask about combined shipping costs up front. You have to tell me exactly what you intend to buy and where it will be shipped. I can't always give an exact cost, but I can at least give you an estimate. I reserve the right to limit the number or total value of items that I'm willing to send in a single package. For international sales I use ebay's international shipping program. Combined shipping depends on the ebay shipping program rules in place at the time of shipment. It is possible that no combined shipping discount is available for international orders.
************* End of long-winded answers to hypothetical questions ***********