Sold Date: December 13, 2015
Start Date: December 3, 2015
Final Price: £14.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 2
Seller Feedback: 365
Buyer Feedback: 245

Background Information

I am currently in the process of shifting a vast collection of stock which largely derives from a Record Shop which closed its doors in the early 1980s.  The stock spans a period from the early 1960s through to the early 80s with the bulk dating from the 1970s.  There are large quantities of Progressive Rock, R & B and Soul and Modern Classical.  Most of the items have sustained a single play (clearly standard practice to check for flaws upon receipt of new records back-in-the-day) however, some are obviously UNPLAYED.  The bulk of what I’m currently selling comes from this source and I’d guess it will be years before I exhaust it!

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK Original U.K 1971 (flip-back sleeve dated 09/71) Tamla Motown STEREO pressing of The Supremes ‘Touch’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Tamla Motown STML 11189).  As noted above this is a flip-back sleeve with flip-backs on three sides on the rear.  The vinyl is still stored in the original Tamla Mowon inner bag and it still retains a lovely ‘weight’ to it (the pressings got cheaper and flimsier as the decade wore on).  Like many of the Tamla Motown LPs I currently have for sale this comes from unsold stock and while I’d think it might have been played once or twice it really is a superior example.  I note two small clusters of hairline markings under an intense light on Side One which are a product of withdrawal from the heavy paper inner bag.  Side Two has even less hairline marking in evidence and both sides retain a lovely ‘like new’ gleam.  Obviously this copy has never seen heavy play and it is a confident EXCELLENT+ grade.  You’ll struggle to find a much nicer example.  The sleeve has spent it’s entire life inside a polythene cover and accordingly the laminate retains a stunning ‘fresh’ appearance as it is relatively unblemished.  There appears to be a crease to the top left-hand corner which is also visible as a bend in the sleeve in the corresponding position on the rear.  As there are numerous creases emanating from the spine which are themselves a product of the spine being pinched I’d hazard a guess that this crease is also a by-product of that process.  The rear of the sleeve is largely black/grey and wear tends to be particularly obvious with such colour schemes however, here the protection of the polythene sleeve has resulted in no print-loss whatsoever.  It looks the same way it did when it left the factory over 40 years ago.  There is a bend to the sleeve in the top right-hand corner which isn’t a crease (if you know what I mean).  The corner itself is sharp and clearly hasn’t been knocked.  The top left-hand and bottom right-hand corners have received light knocks.  There is one crease on the front and two maybe three on the rear of the sleeve near the opening edge which are a product of the sleeve being gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl is removed.  This is a stunning looking copy which is also graded as being in EXCELLENT+ condition.

Condition

VINYL – EXCELLENT+

SLEEVE – EXCELLENT+

Final Remarks

This is one of those Supremes LPs which you see around but which is always wrecked as a result of sustaining heavy play.  You will really struggle to find a better overall copy than this.  Please check my other auctions for further Supremes LPs and 45s and a large run of Tamla Motown items and other Funk, R&B and Soul collectables in similarly immaculate condition.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

Returns Policy

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase then please contact me within 7 days of receipt.  The buyer is expected to meet the return postage costs.

Payment Methods

Domestic buyers can pay via Cheque, PayPal or Postal Order.  Overseas buyers are always welcome and are required to pay via PayPal.  Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed.

Postage Costs

I have had to bring my service in-line with changes to Royal Mail Terms and Conditions effective of April 2013.  Previously items sent via standard post were automatically covered up to the value of £46.00 however, standard postage now only covers items up to the value of £20.00.  Items with an opening value >£20.00 will include domestic Signed For postage costs automatically.  Items with an opening value <=£20.00 and which complete with a value <=£20.00 will continue to be dispatched via standard post unless otherwise agreed (i.e. the buyer indicates a preference otherwise).  Items which have an opening value <=£20.00 but whose final value is >£20.00 will be subject to enhanced postage costs in order to cover the extra insurance which is required.  I hope this is as straightforward as I can make it?  Ultimately, please don’t make payment until you’ve received an invoice from me and if you aren’t happy with the invoice you receive then I’m always open to discussion.  Buyers should be aware that both Ebay and PayPal take a % of postage charges (i.e. they are higher than I’d ideally want them to be).

Multiple purchases will be subject to consolidated postage costs.  I will contact you at the end of the auction to confirm these costs.

Proof of postage is always obtained and retained.

Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.