Van Morrison Astral Weeks

1980’s* Warner Bros. reissue of a 1968 original

 

Celebrated in countless ‘Best Of’ lists, this seminal Van Morrison album has completed the journey from one time cult album, to an acknowledged classic. Of it Elvis Costello said “there hasn’t been a record with that amount of daring made since” and Nick Cave spoke enviously of “it’s power to mesmerise and disturb” wondering “at the sheer nerve of this young guy to attempt something so obsessive and uncompromising, and then actually pull it off.” Sean O’Hagan The Guardian 2008

 

Vinyl VG+ – Few light marks but plays clearly without disturbance of any kind.

Cover VG+ - Clean, flat, crisp spine and edges. A little bit of creasing and some wear on the corners and bottom edge.

 

*Even with Discogs (r9210447) unable to establish accurate release year. Best judgement made upon appearance and the age of the rest of the collection.

 

£3 Discount for each additional ‘Buy It Now’ album purchased at the same time. (Listed items that include multiple albums will only attract a single £3 discount)

 

I am selling a collection of vinyl mostly blues, jazz and music from the early 70’s US and new wave in the UK.

As general background the owner was a smoker and not the most house-proud, HOWEVER he was fastidious in the care of his record collection, so much so that I have kept about 30% of the records for my own pleasure. 

Given that Ebay is an unseen, trust based marketplace, my assessment's will be conservative, detailed and based upon listening to the records for sale. As with most sellers my gradings are based upon the Goldmine Standard (abridged and paraphrased from Discogs below).

Near Mint (NM or M-)

A nearly perfect record. A NM- record has more than likely never been played, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections during playback. I am unlikely to ever use this grading for vinyl quality unless I KNOW a record to be new, unplayed and probably still wrapped.

A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similar defects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, etc.  

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. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, surfaces may show slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Picture sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by an indentation or sample distribution cut. In general, if not for a couple of minor 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, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches 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.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+)

In truth I wouldn’t usually bother listing vinyl in this condition, that is with ‘noticeable surface noise and ticks’ although I would consider listing an unusual record with a cover in this condition where ‘seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or other defects will be present’