Sold Date: April 9, 2023
Start Date: March 30, 2023
Final Price: $51.01 (USD)
Bid Count: 8
Seller Feedback: 3085
Buyer Feedback: 0

U2 - 'The Joshua Tree' Near Mint (NM) vinyl LP with original 2-panel fold-out poster and inner sleeve (from the TC Collection). 

The record in this auction was purchased as part of a large collection that belonged to a meticulous, 30+ year record collector with the initials TC. Until my purchase of them, they were all one-owner records purchased new by the original owner from the 1960’s through the 1980’s. They were meticulously cared for, and I found over 95% of the collection to be in VG++ to Near Mint condition. This is one of those VG++ to Near Mint records. The original owner informed me that he had always taken care to not even let his fingers touch the records, and handled them with special soft ‘record’ gloves. He also never let the automatic turntable arm place the needle on the record, but carefully did so himself manually. The gloss and luster of the records, as well as the lack of surface noise gives credibility to his claims. I found nearly every record in this collection to be carefully inserted in its paper inner sleeve, and stored sideways in its cover for maximum protection. Nearly every outer sleeve (album cover) was in the same condition as the records, with very few even having as much as light ring wear. The colors are sharp, vibrant, and new looking, and there are typically no creases, pen or pencil marks, or blemishes of any kind. In short, most of these records appear to have been purchased last week, when they are actually 35-60 years old! Any inserted extras such as posters and inner lyric/photo sheets were typically in like-new condition as well. Furthermore, these records were NEVER stored in a garage, attic, or storage unit, but kept in a shelved record closet inside the original owner’s climate-controlled home. Any flaws or mars on individual records or cover sleeves will be noted. IF CONDITION IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, THEN THIS RECORD IS THE ONE YOU WANT!

MORE FROM THE TC COLLECTION TO BE LISTED THROUGHOUT 2023. 1960s, 70s, 80s, ALL GENRES - STAY TUNED!

I ONLY SHIP TO THE USA AT THIS TIME

SHIPPING IS $5.00 FOR THE FIRST SINGLE LP OR $5.25 FOR DOUBLE ALBUMS, THEN $1.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL ALBUM WON OR PURCHASED. RECORD GROUPS SHIP FOR $6.00 - $8.00. ANY OVERPAYMENT OF SHIPPING WILL BE PROMPTLY REFUNDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT!!!!

Records will be securely and safely packaged outside their cover sleeve in record shipping boxes.

Paper inner sleeves may have split seams or rips, or may be bent, misshaped or discolored from age.

I grade conservatively using the Goldmine vinyl record grading scale (SEE BELOW). 

YOUR SATISFACTION IS MY GOAL. Should you have a problem, please allow me to resolve it. Check my feedback and bid/buy with confidence!

I use the following grades: NM, VG++, VG+, VG, G+, G.

MINT (M) These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-) A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.)NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or EXCELLENT (E) A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches 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 misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

Good (G),
Good Plus (G+)
or Very Good Minus (VG–)
These records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.

Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft. If the item is common, it’s probably better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seeking it for a long time, get it cheap and look to upgrade.

POOR (P) and Fair (F)

Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash. Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play
them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.