Sold Date: January 5, 2014
Start Date: December 29, 2013
Final Price: £15.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 1
Seller Feedback: 216
Buyer Feedback: 6

Background

Over the next 12-18 months I'll be selling off a massive collection of records (5000+) from a shop that closed it's doors in the early 1980s. The collection covers a period from the late 1960's through to the time of the shop's closure and includes large quantities of 60's/70's rock, progressive and modern classical music. Most of the items are unplayed (or at most have sustained a single play) unless otherwise noted. You don't get many opportunities to purchase unplayed 70's stock any more! This short paragraph of background information is included whenever an item has been sourced from this collection.

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK American STAX Records STEREO L.P. Pressing of William Bell's 'Phases of Reality' L.P. (Catalogue Reference: STAX Records STS-3005). I'd think it was likely that this is a 1972 pressing but it is so hard to identify original US pressing that I'm not going to bother other than to say this is clearly an early 70s pressing (a decent, thick card sleeve with a cut-corner and the labels have an inner 'ring'). As with most of the records from this source it isn't immediately obvious to me that this has been played? The vinyl is graded as being in EXCELLENT+ condition. The sleeve is still very respectable but due to a little writing in the top right-hand corner and some peripheral wear I'm grading it as being in EXCELLENT condition (more condition details below).

Condition

L.P. Sleeve

The sleeve is graded as being in EXCELLENT condition. As noted above this is a decent, thick card sleeve and it wears it's age well. There is a name in the top right-hand corner ('Mills') and the two bottom corners have received knocks. Only the top left-hand corner remains untouched as the top right-hand corner has a small cut (i.e. a cut-corner indicating excess stock). There are three 'digs' in the sleeve's opening edge but not really any fraying (an indication of how little this copy has been played). I don't believe this sleeve looks 40 years old. There isn't really any ring-wear and accordingly there has been virtually no loss of print either on the front or the rear. A really tidy looking copy!

Vinyl

As noted above it is hard to discern whether this has actually been played? It is graded as being in EXCELLENT+ condition. There are perhaps a couple of hairline scratches across both sides of the record and I note a couple of tiny marks near the end of the third track on Side One ('Fifty Dollar Habit') but having played it through I can say this is nothing to worry about. This is a really superior copy!

Concluding Remarks

You're not going to feel the need to upgrade this! Please check my other items for further William Bell and STAX artists and other contemporary records from the same source in similarly immaculate condition. Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Terms etc.

I endeavour to be accurate with all my grading and all items are graded under an intense light. I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years and would describe my grading as conservative (I think my feedback speaks for itself in this respect(!)). If you're not entirely happy with your purchase then contact me.

Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque. Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed. Multiple purchases will be subject to reduced postage costs. Please contact me at the end of the auction to confirm these costs. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss postage in advance of the auction's end.

Overseas buyers are welcome. You don't need to email me. So long as you can pay me efficiently (i.e. PayPal) and I can get the item to you then that is good enough for me. However, if you want me to investigate postage costs in advance of the auction's end then contact me.