1973 VG/NM Cover/Record "Esperanto - Rock Orchestra" Promo Copy A&M SP 4399  This copy was owned by my now deceased uncle who was a Down's Syndrome Idiot Savant who handled all his records in the same careful manner, playing some of them hundreds, maybe thousands of times on a very nice Hi-Fi system.    Let me know if you want other photos or more zoomed in photos on specific areas.

Album Notes

The record/cover Mint using the Goldmine System Below.  An itemized graded characteristic list follows.

Cover Picture - NM

Album Cover Overall - VG

Record - NM Center hole round.  See above.

  

----------------------------------------------------------------- Goldmine Vinyl Record Grading System------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

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.

Near mint records are shiny and free of visible defects. No writing, stickers, other markings or spindle marks appear on the label. No major factory defects are present; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint.

If played, an NM record will do so without surface noise. Near Mint 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 have no creases, ring wear or seam splits of any kind.

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 is 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. 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 of 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 is 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 don’t affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, so long as 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 locataion. 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 an 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 won’t 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 on human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover, where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious; it may appear on all three sides, thought it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written on it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

GOOD (G), GOOD PLUS (G+) OR VERY GOOD MINUS (VG-)

.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. The label is worn and exhibits significant ring wear, heavy writing or obvious damage caused by 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 huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.

POOR (P) AND FAIR (F)

Poor and Fair 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 repate 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.

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I will combine shipping.

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INSURANCE NOTE:  I try to insure every shipment of $20.00 or more by ebay's insurance.  Unfortunately, 2012 postal regulations forbid insurance on certain types of postal shipping services  to various countries.  Also, unfortunately, I now usually only find out whether an item can be insured when I go to make out the shipping label.  If insurance is incredibly important to you, email me before bidding and I will try to see if the least expensive shipping service can be insured.  An example of the international differences is that at this time, Canada apparently forbids insurance on all postal service levels except Express Mail Parcels.  In contrast, I have been able to insure First Class Parcels to both Argentina and Switzerland.  I do not personally insure anything.  UNINSURED SHIPMENTS ARE SENT AT YOUR OWN RISK.