RARE 1960 U.K. Philips ‘Hi-FI-Stereo’ L.P. pressing of Zino Francescatti performing William Walton’s ‘Concerto for Violin and Orchestra’ with The Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy and Lalo’s ‘Symphonie Espagnole’ with the New York Philharmonic conducted by Dimitri Mitropoulos (Catalogue Reference: Philips SABL 191).  This is a lovely, heavy vinyl British pressing (not Dutch) featuring deep ruby-coloured, textured labels.  The sleeve is of reasonably thick card with flip-backs top and bottom and is front-laminated.  The matrixes read ‘AA83566 1Y=5//420VVX’ (Side One) and ‘AA835566 2Y 3//420VVX’ (Side Two).  This came from the same place as the unsold shop stock which I am currently selling however, I believe it was from the guy’s personal collection (he seemed to have very good taste) and has clearly seen only the most minimal play.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX (SLEEVE): I would guess this has only been played a couple of times.  The surfaces retain a great sheen and there has been no reaction with the original, poly-lined inner sleeve.  I grade all my items under an intense light and here I can see limited wispy hairline markings where it looks like someone’s fingers have been on the surface.  The bulk of the playing surface is mark free.  The labels are immaculate and there is no indication that a spindle has been anywhere near the spindle-hole.  This is a stunning copy.  The sleeve is a solid example.  The lamination retains a certain sheen.  The exposed card on the rear is largely white however, the thin strips of lamination have yellowed somewhat.  There is limited fraying to each corner.  The bottom right-hand corner has received a reasonably substantial knock.  I have tried to capture this in the attached images.  It has caused the seam to break by about 5 millimetres.  On the rear there is some staining in the bottom right-hand corner.  This is a really lovely example which has only seen the most limited amount of play.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.

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