Sold Date: January 3, 2024
Start Date: October 5, 2023
Final Price: $40.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 427
Buyer Feedback: 0

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ARETHA FRANKLIN - I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You Shrink w/hype Monarch Played ONCE

Stereo SD 8139

For sale is a truly NEAR MINT Monarch pressing of this ICONIC album that somehow remained factory sealed until a few months ago. I was tempted to leave it sealed, but curiosity as to which pressing it was got the best of me. I carefully opened the shrink wrap, gave it an ultrasonic clean and it was an absolute joy to be the first person to play this incredible album for the first time in 54 years!! It played absolutely BEAUTIFULLY…crisp clear audio and sounded like a quality Monarch pressing should sound. Only on the last two songs did I hear some occasional crackles (read below). I then placed the disc into an archival inner and back into the sleeve and haven’t touched it since until now to photograph. See details below:

Sleeve: NM-

GORGEOUS sleeve retains its original factory shrink wrap with the gold Grammy winner hype sticker on it. The shrink has protected the sleeve beautifully and remains snug and perfect. Opening edges are sharp. No creases or bends, save for one very small corner bump in the upper right corner. I’ve shown a closeup pic. Stunning!! See pics.

Disc: VG+

GORGEOUS disc retains all of its glossy sheen…absolutely not even a hint of groove wear that’s for sure! It is just as it came from the factory, but due to remaining sealed for so long, there is very slight dishing that did not affect play in the slightest. At the end of Side Two is visually what I think must be a touch of bag rash. It is only visible when tilted under light and I could only hear some occasional crackles there when playing. To me, it wasn’t distracting and the last two songs are the only ones where I heard any noise worth mentioning.

I have included two photos showing the spot from different angles so you can see how it appears/disappears. I’m highlighting the flaws because it is really a truly spectacular late 60’s Monarch pressing which otherwise looks and sounds phenomenal.

Labels: NM

Flawless labels. No spindle traces. No writing. Like new.

Original Atlantic company inner sleeve is included. The corner was a little folded when I opened it, as it had been for 54 years. There are no splits or tears to the inner. I’ve ultrasonically cleaned the disc and placed it in a MoFi archival inner behind the sleeve since opening.

Thanks for looking and feel free to ask any questions!

Shipping is $5 here in the USA via USPS Media Mail. The disc has been ultrasonically cleaned, placed into an archival inner sleeve behind the jacket in a plastic outer sleeve. It will then be sandwiched snugly between two cardboard stiffeners and shipped in a proper LP mailer.

International shipping is handled using eBay’s global shipping program. Note: I have no say in the prices of that whatsoever. I have used the system twice to ship to very happy customers in the UK so I will continue to use it!

Feel free to ask any questions and thanks for looking!