Sold Date: July 15, 2018
Start Date: July 2, 2018
Final Price: $24.99 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 1165
Buyer Feedback: 8

The Search party - Montgomery Chapel - Ltd Ed Reissue #200/300

New/sealed indie record store stock - Support independent record stores!

All records are graded by the Goldmine standard (LPs, 45s etc) or the VJM standard (shellac, 78s, other vintage records). If we use two grades (VG+/VG), the FIRST grade refers to the record itself and the second to the jacket/sleeve/cover. See below for more information about what these grades mean.

US shipping is $5.00 flat rate for any number of records. International shipping varies by weight and destination - we are using the eBay shipping calculator to work out worldwide shipping costs - in general, 1-2 45s ship for $16, 3-16 45s or 1-2 LPs ship for $24, 17+ 45s or 3+ LPs ship for $36. These prices can vary based on the actual weight of the package and destination; please message us with a list of the records you are interested in for a shipping quote.

Sound Idea Records is an independent brick-and-mortar record store located in historic Onancock, Virginia, on the Delmarva peninsula. We grade records accurately and ship well-protected to ensure safe arrival. Any record with a picture sleeve will ship outside the sleeve to prevent split seams, except for sealed items. Support indie record stores!

International Buyers - Please Note:

Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.

Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding or buying.

Goldmine grading standards - LPs, 45s, and other vinyl records:

MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. We don't use this grade; NM is the highest grade we believe in using.

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.

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. Plays 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 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+)

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.

POOR (P)
and Fair (F)
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. We will only list F or P condition items if the record is impossibly rare.

VJM Grading System - shellac, 78s, and other vintage records:

N (78). As new and unplayed (there are virtually no 78s that can categorically be claimed to be unplayed).

N- (78). Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.

E+ (78). Plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.

E  (78). Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.

E- (78). Still shiny but without the lustre of a new record, few light scratches.

V+ (78). V+ is an average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced.

V (78). Moderate, even wear throughout, but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.

V- (78). Quite playable still, but distortion and heavy greying in loud passages. Music remains loud in most passages. Surface noise and scratches well below music level.

G+ (78). Grey throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. Heavy scratches.

G (78). Quite seriously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.

G- (78). Music still prominent, but wear and scatch damage extensive.

F (78). Most of music remains audible over surface noise, but listening now uncomfortable.

P (78). Unplayable.