UNSOLD SHOP STOCK – Much of the material I’m currently selling is unsold stock from a record shop which closed down in the early 1980’s.  Most of this stock has been played once (if at all).  This statement will begin any auction where the item has been sourced from this stock.

RARE, Original U.K. 1977 String/TOPIC MONO L.P. pressing of Emmett W. Lundy ‘Fiddle Tunes from Grayson County, Virginia - Recorded in Galax for the Library of Congress, 1941’ (Catalogue Reference: String/Topic Records STR 802).  This item includes the original 12 page booklet outlining history of the family and details of the songs and recordings.  These mono recordings were actually captured by Alan & Elizabeth Lomax in August 1941.  This is clearly the 1st pressing of this with th vinyl stored in a poly-lined inner dated ’11/76’ and the matrixes reading ‘5802.A-1A’ (Side One) and ‘5802.B-1A’ (Side Two).  The vinyl is a high quality, decent weight pressing with raised centre labels typical of Topic pressings of the mid-to-late 70s.  The cardboard outer sleeve is thicker than average for British pressings of the period.  This is sourced from unsold shop stock and has literally sat in storage for decades.  I believe this copy to be unplayed (more condition details below).

CONDITION: NM (VINYL) / EX+ (12 PAGE BOOKLET) / EX (SLEEVE):  There is no obvious indication that a spindle has been anywhere near the spindle hole nor a needle anywhere near the run-in groove here.  As noted above I believe this copy to be unplayed.  All my items are graded under an intense light and here it is a struggle to even discern any hairline marking.  This is a confident and easy NM grading here.  Like the vinyl it is likely that the booklet had never been handled until I removed it from the sleeve.  Typically, you expect light bends to the pages but that is not the case here.  There is a very light bend to the top right-hand corner of the booklet which looks like it follows the outline of the vinyl.  As there is also a crease in the top right-hand corner of the outer sleeve the conclusion I reach is that the bend to the booklet occurred at the same time.  The sleeve is crisp and clearly hasn’t been handled much.  It has been stored in a polythene cover it’s entire life and this has prevented discolouration or rubbing occurring.  An obvious flaw is a rather substantial knock was has occurred to the top right-hand corner which has resulted in creasing which is visible on both sides (I have captured this in the attached images).  There are some very light brown spots associated with this creasing.  There is minimal fraying to each corner and slight discolouration of the spine.  The latter must be a by-product of the production process because it wouldn’t have occurred during the decades this has spent boxed-up in storage.  Basically, a really fine copy of a rare TOPIC LP!

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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