Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky. LP, Album,Vinyl, Reprise Records.1969 US.
Sold Date:
August 18, 2023
Start Date:
August 15, 2023
Final Price:
$16.60
(USD)
Bid Count:
1
Seller Feedback:
32
Buyer Feedback:
0
Norman Greenbaum - Spirit In The Sky. LP, Album,Vinyl, Reprise Records.1969 US. Lp is in Excellent Condition, with no visible scratches or scuffs. I use discogs.com for LP & Sleeve Grading I use discogs.com for Market Value & Pricing Recommendations. I wash all LP's with Spin Clean Record Washer before listing. I listen to all LP's on a Victrola Record Player with a New Needle prior to listing. I follow these guidelines:
MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mintshould never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that therecord or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of theNear Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer andseller.
NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retailstore and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearlyperfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhapscorrectly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.
NM records are shiny,with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear onthe label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put therecord on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a recordand label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will doso with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a recordused on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc isproperly cared for.)
NM covers are free ofcreases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.
NOTE: These are highstandards, and they are not on a sliding scale. A record or sleeve from the1950s must meet the same standards as one from the 1990s or 2000s to be NearMint! It’s estimated that no more than 2 to 4 percent of all records remainingfrom the 1950s and 1960s are truly Near Mint. This is why they fetch such highprices, even for more common items.
Don’t assume your recordsare Near Mint. They must meet these standards to qualify!
VERY GOOD PLUS(VG+) or EXCELLENT (E)
A good description of aVG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.” Mostcollectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy witha VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end of the grade (sometimescalled VG++ or E+).
VG+ records may show someslight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that donot affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the soundare OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around thecenter hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be somevery light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.
VG+ covers should haveonly 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, aVG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers withcut-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 VGrecord. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percentof a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, becausemost of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VGrecord or sleeve will be worth the money.
VG records have moreobvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of theoriginal 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 VGrecord has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in softpassages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpowerthe music otherwise.
Minorwriting, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who havejukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a finelistening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.
VGcovers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or alongthe edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious,though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splittingwill be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t beobvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag onit, 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.
Gooddoes not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it canserve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significantsurface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ringwear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tapeor stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to thepoint of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have evenheavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters writtenacross the front to deter theft.
If theitem is common, it’s probably better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seekingit 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, ifthey 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.
Onlythe most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in thiscondition — again, if they sell at all.
SealedAlbums
Still-sealedalbums can — and do — bring even higher prices than listed.
However,one must be careful when paying a premium for sealed LPs of any kind forseveral 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. I’ve had this happen to me; I opened a sealed album by one MCA artist only to find a record by a different MCA artist inside! Fortunately, I didn’t pay a lot for that sealed LP. I would have been quite upset if I had!Imports listsonly those vinyl LPs manufactured in the United States or, in a few instances,manufactured in other countries, but specifically for release in the United States.Any record that fits the following criteria is an import, and you won’t find itin the price guide:
• LPs on the Parlophone label by any artist, at least before 2000. Parlophone, best known as the Beatles’ British label, was not used as a label in the United States until very recently. • LPs that have the letters “BIEM,” “GEMA” or “MAPL” on them. • LPs that say anywhere on the label or cover, “Made in Canada,” “Made in the UK,” “Made in Germany,” etc.We havechosen not to list records from Great Britain, Canada, Japan or any othernation for logistical reasons. Where do you start, and where do you stop?
Unfortunately,we realize that there is a lack of reliable information on the value ofnon-U.S. records, especially published in the United States. Please don’tcontact us seeking information on non-U.S. records; we cannot help.
Alsounfortunately, there are few general rules about the value of an import ascompared to an American edition.
Someimport albums, especially well-made Japanese imports that still have their “obistrip,” can go for more than the U.S. counterpart. Others seem to attractlittle interest in the States.
Onerule is just as true of imports as it is with U.S. records: Those discs thatare originals in the best condition will sell for more than reissues and thosein less than top-notch shape.
PromotionalCopies
Basically, a promotional record is any copy of a record not meant for retailsale. Different labels identify these in different ways: The most common methodon LPs is to use a white label instead of the regular-color label and/or to addwords such as the following:
Somelabels, of course, used colors other than white; still others used the samelabels as their stock copies, but added a promotional disclaimer to the label.
Mostpromotional albums have the same catalog number as the regular release, exceptfor those differences.
Sometimes,regular stock copies have a “Demonstration — Not for Sale” or “Promo” rubberstamped on the cover; these are known as “designate promos” and are not of thesame cachet as true promotional records. Treat these as stock copies that havebeen defaced. Exceptions are noted in the listings.
All ofthis is mentioned as a means of identification. As a rule, we do not listpromotional records separately, nor are we interested in doing so. There areexceptions, which we will list below. But we feel that the precious space inour guides is better used for unique commercially available records rather thanfor thousands upon thousands of promotional copies.
Mostpromotional LPs sell for approximately the same as a stock copy of the samecatalog number. That has been our experience.
However,there are certain exceptions. Those are the kinds of promos that you’ll finddocumented in our price guide, and which we plan to continue to document. Theseinclude:
Colored vinyl promos. Promos in special numbering series, such as Columbia albums with an “AS” or “CAS” prefix; Warner Bros, albums with a “PRO” or “PRO-A-” prefix; Capitol albums with a “PRO” or “SPRO” prefix; Mercury albums with an “MK” prefix; and other similar series on other labels. Promos that are somehow different than the released versions, either because of changes in the cover or changes in the music between the promo LP and the regular-stock LP. Promos pressed on special high-quality vinyl; these were popular in the 1980s and can bring a premium above stock copies of the same titles.
Vinyl
Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly neverbeen played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade,if at all.
CD
Perfect.No scuffs/scratches, unplayed - possibly still sealed.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:Perfect. No wear, marks, or any other imperfections - possibly stillsealed.
Cassette
J-Cardis crisp, clean and perfect in every way. Likely sealed. Cassette is brand new,and professionally produced. Used sparingly as a grade, should be free of eventhe slightest blemishes and/or defects. This grade should be used sparingly, ifat all.
Vinyl
CD
Nearperfect. No obvious signs of use, it may have been played - but it has beenhandled very carefully.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:Near Perfect. No obvious wear, it may have only the slightest of marks fromhandling.
Cassette
Sleeveshould be totally crisp and clean with only the slightest evidence of handling.Tape is likely new, free of any wear or damage.
Vinyl
Generallyworth 50% of the Near Mint value. A Very Good Plus record will show some signs thatit was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care ofit. Defects should be more of a cosmetic nature, not affecting the actualplayback as a whole. Record surfaces may show some signs of wear and may haveslight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listeningexperiences. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are "OK". Thelabel may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barelynoticeable. Spindle marks may be present. Picture sleeves and inner sleeveswill have some slight wear, slightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split.An LP cover may have slight signs of wear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole,indentation, or cut corner. In general, if not for a couple of minor thingswrong with it, this would be Near Mint.
CD
Afew minor scuffs/scratches. This has been played, but handled with good care -and certainly not abused.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:Slight wear, marks, indentations, it may possibly have a cut-out hole (or similar).
Cassette
Sleevehas slight wear, marks, indentations, and/or may possibly have a cut-out hole(or similar). Tape has been taken very good care of and may have light marks orspindle wear. Should play cleanly with minimal noise or degradation.
Very Good (VG)
Vinyl
Generallyworth 25% of Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will bemore pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing,especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will notoverpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as withlight scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect thesound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or theirresidue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers.However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time. Goldmineprice guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowestprice.
CD
Quitea few light scuffs/scratches, or several more-pronounced scratches. This hasobviously been played, but not handled as carefully as a VG+.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:More wear, marks, indentations than a VG+. May have slight fading, a smalltear/rip, or some writing.
Cassette
Sleevewill contain more wear, marks, and/or indentations than a VG+. May have slightfading, a small tear/rip, or some writing. Shell may have heavier marks andwear than VG including plastic discoloration. Should play with some strongerhiss or degradation, but not enough to overpower music.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Vinyl
Generallyworth 10-15% of the Near Mint value. A record in Good or Good Plus conditioncan be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surfacenoise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seamsplits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, orother defects will be present. While the record will be playable withoutskipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainlyaccompany the playback.
CD
Thereare a lot of scuffs/scratches. However it will still play through withoutproblems. This has not been handled with much care at all.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:Well worn, marked, more obvious indentations, fading, writing, than a VG -possibly a more significant tear/rip.
Cassette
Sleevewill be well worn, marked, and contain obvious indentations, fading, and/orwriting, more so than a VG grade - possibly a more significant tear/rip. Tapewill have heavy wear on shell. Felt stopper may be missing. Tape may have minorcreasing, but not broken. Must play through, may have heavier degradation thatwill overpower music.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
Vinyl
CD
TheCD may or may not play some or all of the tracks. See the seller's comments fordetails.
Insert/Inlay/Booklet/Sleeve/Digipak:Very worn. It may have obvious writing on it, it may be ripped/torn, orsignificantly faded, or water damaged.
Cassette
Sleevewill be torn, heavily stained, showing general heavy damage, or will bepartially missing. Likewise, tape will be heavily damaged, showing completefading on the face, crinkled tape, missing screws or teeth, staining, and otherheavy wear. Cassette will more than likely not play through.
Standard Jewel Cases: Standard Jewel Cases are not graded as they are replaceable.
Generic
Withinthe context of grading items in the Discogs Marketplace, the term"generic" refers to a type of sleeve that is not specific to therelease. A generic sleeve is either a plain sleeve or a company sleeve withstandard company artwork. A sleeve that is graded as "generic" needsno further grading, as a generic sleeve generally adds little value to the itemand can be easily replaced. Sellers can further specify a generic sleeve'scondition in the “Item condition comment” field if needed. A seller can alsonote if the sleeve is a company sleeve in the “Item condition comment” field.
Mint (M)
Vinyl
Absolutelyperfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.
Near Mint (NM or M-)
Anearly perfect record. A NM or M- record has more than likely never beenplayed, and the vinyl will play perfectly, with no imperfections duringplayback. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhapscorrectly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record should show noobvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the mostminor defects, such as any sign of slight handling. An LP cover should have nocreases, folds, seam splits, cut-out holes, or other noticeable similardefects. The same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyricsleeves, etc.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Generally worth 50% of the Near Mint value. AVery Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwisehandled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Defects should be more ofa cosmetic nature, not affecting the actual playback as a whole. Recordsurfaces may show some signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very lightscratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. Slight warps that donot affect the sound are "OK". The label may have some ring wear ordiscoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. Spindle marks may bepresent. Picture sleeves and inner sleeves will have some slight wear, slightlyturned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs ofwear, and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation, or cut corner. Ingeneral, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be NearMint.
Very Good (VG)
Generallyworth 25% of Near Mint value. Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will bemore pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing,especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will notoverpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as withlight scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect thesound. Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or theirresidue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers.However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time. Goldmine priceguides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowestprice.
Good (G), Good Plus (G+)
Generallyworth 10-15% of the Near Mint value. A record in Good or Good Plus conditioncan be played through without skipping. But it will have significant surfacenoise, scratches, and visible groove wear. A cover or sleeve will have seamsplits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear, orother defects will be present. While the record will be playable withoutskipping, noticeable surface noise and "ticks" will almost certainlyaccompany the playback.
Poor (P), Fair (F)
Generallyworth 0-5% of the Near Mint price. The record is cracked, badly warped, andwon't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is waterdamaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. TheLP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully split,crinkled, and written upon.
