Sold Date: February 16, 2024
Start Date: February 9, 2024
Final Price: $39.00 (USD)
Bid Count: 4
Seller Feedback: 25
Buyer Feedback: 0

This rare J.R.R. TOLKIEN Reads & Sings LORD OF THE RINGS LP is a must-have for any fan of the film series and spoken word genre. Featuring the iconic author himself, along with music by Lorde, this first edition, first pressing record is a true gem. The vinyl is in excellent (EX) condition and comes with original inner sleeve and cover, housed in a cardboard sleeve. The 12" record is black in color and spins at a speed of 33RPM. Released in 1975 under the Caedmon record label, this LP is a collector's item. The sleeve grading is very good plus (VG+) and the inlay condition is also very good plus (VG+). The record size is standard and the material is vinyl. This LP is perfect for those who love to listen to spoken word and appreciate the works of J.R.R. TOLKIEN.

I do not do this as a business. All my recordsfrom my personal private collection of Vinyl LPs from the 30’s through the 80’swith multiple Gen and have been stored in a cedar chest since 1985 and none ofthe LP’s are warped. Just looking for a good home as I was Anal about takingcare of my records back then.

Each album in my collection:

·     Played well priorto storing with no skipping or repeating;

·     Is in the originalcover with the original sleeve graded in “Inlay Condition” with “Case Type,”and “Feature.” Note: Paper sleeves and/or manufacturers advertising sleeve arelisted a “Generic” and are rated at Very Good + (VG+) as each record comes witha new sleeve – See Shipping &Packaging below; and

·     Some are in theoriginal shrink wrap and will be noted in “Features and Case Type;

·     Some have Hypestickers and will be noted in “Features and Case Type;

·     Some have RecordStore and other sales stickers noted in “Features and Case Type;

·     Some are Gatefoldnoted in “Case Type:

·     Some have inserts(Scrap Book, Poster(s), Lyric Book(s)) in very good condition as noted in “CaseType” and “Features;” and

Again, this is my private collection and I haveZero experience in grading vinyl records forsakes. However, I used “Discogs” tothe best of my ability for the Record Grading (Type of physical conditionphysical condition the record is in, characterized by the usage or conditiontype); and the majority will be listed as:

Just looking for a good home since I was Analabout my records back then. They all played without skipping or repeating backthen. Therefore, I used the following “Discogs” for the “Record Grading” (Typeof physical condition physical condition the record is in, characterized by theusage or condition type); and the majority will be listed as:

“Very GoodPlus (VG+)

·     The item will showsome signs that it was played and handled by a previous owner who took goodcare of it;

·     Any defects are ofa cosmetic nature and do not affect the actual playback; and

Intheory, a Very Good Plus (VG+) item should sound the same as a Near Mint (NM)one. Surfaces may show some signs of wear, such as slight scuffs or very lightscratches, and slight warps that do not affect the sound are okay. Paperproducts like sleeves will have some wear, slightly turned-up corners, or asmall seam-split. In general, it plays perfectly, and if not for some minoraesthetic wear, it would be Near Mint.”

For all other grading besides “RecordGrading” such as:

·      InlayCondition: Type of conditional the inner sleeve, books, posters, scrap bookis in, Characterized by usage or condition type; and

·      SleeveGrading: Type of physical condition the LP/Album Cover, Back and Gatefold(if applicable) characterized by usage or condition type;

The following “Discog” grading system was be used with the   combined Fair (F) and Poor (P) grades; whereasI broken that into individual grades of Fair (F) and Worn (W) – seebelow. 

“Mint (M): Perfect in every way.Certainly, never been played, possibly even still sealed.  

 Near Mint (NM or M-): Anearly perfect record. A NM or M- record has more than likely never beenplayed, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections duringplayback. Many dealers will not give a grade higher than this implying (perhapscorrectly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record should show noobvious signs of wear. A 45RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the mostminor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have nocreases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similardefects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyricsleeves, etc.  

Very Good Plus (VG+): Generallyworth 50%of the Near Mint value. A Very Good Plus record will show some signsthat it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good careof it. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playbackas a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slightscuffs or very light scratches that do not affect one's listening experiences.Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". The label mayhave some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have someslight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP covermay have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation,or cut corner. In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it,this would be Near Mint.  

Very Good (VG): Generally worth25%of Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be morepronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especiallyin soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower themusic otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with lightscratches (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, itwill not have all of these problems at the same time. Goldmine price guideswith more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price.  

Good (G), Good Plus (G+): Generally,worth10-15% of the Near Mint value. A record in Good or Good Plus condition canbe played through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise,scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seam splits,especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, or otherdefects will be present. While the record will be playable without skipping,noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainly accompanythe playback.  

Sleeve will be well worn, marked, and contain obvious indentations, fading,and/or writing, more so than a VG grade - possibly a more significant tear/rip.Tape will have heavy wear on shell. Felt stopper may be missing. Tape may haveminor creasing, but not broken. Must play through, may have heavier degradationthat will overpower music.

Fair (F): The cover will havemoderate creasing, seam or corner wear or small amount of writing, and moderatefading; LP ring wear is obvious on the cover and cover probably has seamsplits. It plays though without skipping, but may have noise or fuzz soundbecause of age, quality, or worn-down grooves. The album is not warped butcould have repeating issues with a scratch. There is moderate fading and/orheavy writing or stickers on the label. The sound quality is fair. Expectpossible noise issues or skipping.

 Worn (W): The cover isapproaching death and will have significant creasing, seam or corner tear andsignificant fading. If a picture sleeve is with it, this is torn or marked upto a significant degree. But someone may want to have it for nostalgia or evenattempt to fix it. May or may not still play without a skip or repeating butcould be repaired. They could have substantial fading, heavy writing, orstickers on the label. Finally, attempting to listen will be a disturbingexperience. Expect major noise, skipping, or issues with repeating.

Note: Each album is the original cover with or without the original shrink-wrap,hype stickers, record store stickers, gatefolds, posters, and will be cleanedwith a the latest “Spin Clean Kit” (since 1975); visually inspected, and placedin a “Hudson Hi-Fi Anti-Static Vinyl Record Inner Sleeve for ultimate Protectionfrom scratches, dust, and dirt; and is shipped bubble wrapped in and box withFragile Stickers, and e-bay Media

Poor (P), Fair (F)

Generally worth 0-5% of the Near Mint price. The record is cracked, badlywarped, and will not play through without skipping or repeating. The picturesleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wearand writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves carefullysplit, crinkled, and written upon.” 

 Shipping and Packaging

·     All vinyl LPs willbe cleaned with a the latest “Spin Clean Kit” (since1975);

·     All cleaned vinylLPs will be and placed in a new “Hudson Hi-Faint-Static Vinyl Record InnerSleeve for ultimate LP Protection from scratches, dust, and dirt; and

Allvinyl records will be bubble wrapped, placed in an LP box, and mailed with ane-bay USPS Media Mailing Label within 3-days after purchase.

Best Wishes,

Mark