GEORGE MICHAEL

FAITH

Record Condition: VG+

Cover Condition: VG+

Catalog: COLUMBIA OC 40867

Country : US

Location: A 3

All open records are  conservatively graded under a bright light bulb.

Our grading :

Please note we DON'T use VG++ VG+++ or VG++++ grading

We are using the Goldmine Standard for grading the condition of items listed in our store:

MINT (M)

These are absolutely perfect in every

way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade

unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is

in this condition. There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value

these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)

A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a

retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words,

it’s nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this,

implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly

perfect.

NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing,

stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any

“spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the

turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label

obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so

with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a

record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if

the disc is properly cared for.)

NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

NOTE: These are high standards, and they are not on a sliding scale. A

record or sleeve from the 1950s must meet the same standards as one from

the 1990s or 2000s to be Near Mint! It’s estimated that no more than 2

to 4 percent of all records remaining from the 1950s and 1960s are truly

Near Mint. This is why they fetch such high prices, even for more

common items.

Don’t assume your records are Near Mint. They must meet these standards to qualify!

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) or EXCELLENT (E)

A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor

things, this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who

want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially

if it toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs

or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience.

Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of

handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but

repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very

light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some

very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom,

the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing,

such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be

considered Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)

Many of

the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record.

That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent

of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting,

because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many

listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG

records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape.

They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records.

Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to

feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and

some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a

song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music

otherwise.

Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many

collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think

twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if

it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs of human

handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where

the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming.

Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious;

it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon

looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it,

too.

Good (G),

Good Plus (G+)

or Very Good Minus (VG–)

These records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.

Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without

skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along.

But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is

worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage

caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing

miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of

distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier

writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across

the front to deter theft.

If the item is common, it’s probably

better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seeking it for a long time, get

it cheap and look to upgrade.

POOR (P)

and Fair (F)

Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint

value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash.

Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an

attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you

almost want to cry.

Only the most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in this condition — again, if they sell at all.

Sealed Albums

Still-sealed albums can — and do — bring even higher prices than listed.

However, one must be careful when paying a premium for sealed LPs of any kind for several reasons:

1. They may have been re-sealed;
2. The records might not be in Near Mint condition;
3. The record inside might not be the original pressing or the most desirable pressing;
4. Most bizarre of all, the wrong record might be inside.

SHIPPING RATES FOR LPs & 12" Singles:

USA: $4.50 for first LP and $.50 for each additional LP

Shipped with USPS Media Mail.

We ship Monday - Friday ( business days only )

Thank yo