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rare LP: OISTRAKH Encores , UK EMI Columbia SAX 2253 1st Ed. blue/silver labels. This is the original 1st stereo edition made in the UK by EMI. The matrix ends with -20 on Side 1 and -5 on Side 2. This is one of the rarest and most sought-after UK Classical records. When I purchased this LP, it was still inside the original manufacturer s plastic sleeve with the EMI Stereophonic Recording and price stickers on the back . I recently took the outer sleeve outside of the plastic sleeve to show how pristine the outer sleeve is in the photos. When I am shipping this item, I will include the original manufacturer s plastic sleeve in the package as well. Based on my research, this is the only copy that was sold on eBay with the original manufacturer s outer plastic sleeve. Both the record and the sleeves are in a beautiful condition, but please see below for my play grade of the record.
Cover Condition: The cover is graded NM As my past buyers may know, I hardly ever grade any outer sleeve NM, especially something more than 50 years old. This cover, however, is beautiful, as it was protected by the original manufacturer s outer plastic sleeve. The cover is solid, glossy and super clean with tiny bits of mild creasing at the corners see
photos . I think it would be almost impossible to find the cover in a better condition. PLEASE NOTE that some of the photos were taken when I still had the outer sleeve INSIDE the original manufacturer s outer plastic sleeve. Again, please note that I have since taken the outer sleeve out.
Vinyl Condition: Visually the glossy vinyl is graded NM under two strong lights, I can see about 5 tiny spindle trails but no other sign of use or handling. I have cleaned and played this about ten times because the beginning of each side played with static-like noise . After each cleaning, the record played better. Still, Side 1 begins with 2 pops and the first song on Side 2 plays with repeating static-like noise in the background. The rest of the record plays really quietly. Therefore, I play grade the entire record as EX only. Please note that any blemishes that may appear on the high-resolution photos below are lint, dust and camera flash and are NOT scratches or other problems.
More than 50 of my buyers are located outside of the United States, and I welcome international buyers. However, I still reserve the right to refuse to honor bids by buyers from countries where shipment routinely gets lost, damaged or delayed and buyers who have a pattern of nonpayment or negative feedback. Please contact me before bidding should you have any concerns. I also reserve the right to end the listing early if there is no bid on the item, in accordance with eBay policies.
GRADING POLICY FOR LPS: Grading is for the cover/box and for the record. The record may have two grades, one for visual grade and another for play grade. I have never played some of these records and some records may only be visually graded. The grading for the record will be relative to a brand new record of the period manufactured by the same record company. Therefore, the standards will not be the same between, for example, a Japanese Pioneer/Holland Philips/German Teldec pressing of the early 80 s which are on super quiet vinyl and a U.S. ABC/MCA pressing of the late 70 s which are typically noisier . A Near Mint graded late 70 s U.S. ABC or MCA record will play with considerably more background noise caused by cheaper vinyl material than a Near Mint graded early 80 s Japanese Pioneer, Holland Philips or German Teldec record. I have not received any complaints from my past record buyers on my grading. I used to buy many records graded by other eBay sellers as Near Mint, only to find out that they should have been graded VG or much worse. My grading scale is: Sealed still sealed inside shrink wrap NM Near Mint NM- Near Mint Minus EX Excellent VG Very Good Plus VG Very Good VG- Very Good Minus G Good and P Poor . If you ONLY collect MINT or NEW records, you should not bid on any item with any grade less than NM. For almost all collectors, my NM- should not require any further upgrade for you. For almost all collectors, my EX should be acceptable for your collection copy. If you are an audiophile who cannot tolerate vinyl surface noise, you should only bid on records play graded as NM. For most audiophiles, my EX play grade should be acceptable for your collection copy. PLEASE NOTE that I will not accept returns of SEALED records and I will not refund any part of your payment for a SEALED record.
SHIPPING POLICY: All records have been cleaned on my VPI 16.5
record cleaning machine and most of them will be placed in a poly-lined or rice paper
sleeve, unless the records are sealed or the record already comes with a clean
poly-lined inner sleeve. The LP will be
packed in a cardboard box LP mailer not the cheap, thin
or flimsy kind but the more expensive, sturdy and bigger kind . Unless the winning bidder requests otherwise,
the record will be placed outside of the LP outer sleeve so that it will not
damage the cover during transit.
I will NOT be responsible for UNINSURED items lost, damaged or delayed during transit. If you would like to pay for insurance, please contact me regarding the cost.
For U.S. destinations, the shipping cost for 1 record delivered via US Postal Service Media Mail will be 4 for everyone in the United States. For each additional record, add 1.00 for each for up to 5 records. Each LP mailer will fit up to about 5 records. For example, for a boxed set containing 3 records, please just add 2 to the shipping cost of the first record. If you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office e.g., Priority Mail or Express Mail or a private courier service e.g., FedEx or UPS , please contact me.
For destinations OUTSIDE of the U.S. i.e., INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING , below are the prices for US Postal Service First Class Mail and Priority Mail. Please contact me regarding the cost if you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office or a private courier service e.g., FedEx or DHL . Please note that the weight limitation for one package is 4 pounds, including the box mailer, packaging material, etc.
Cost of international shipping via USPS First Class Mail, which usually takes about 2 weeks but may take as much as 4 weeks:
Canada
Asia/Australia
China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
Europe
Russia, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.
1 record
12
17
17
2 records
15
22
22
3 records
17
27
27
4 records
19
31
31
5 records assuming less than 4 lbs.
21
35
35
Cost of international shipping via USPS Priority Mail, which usually takes about 1 week:
Canada
Asia/Australia
Europe
1 to 2 records
29
42
42
3 to 4 records
31
46
46
4 to 5 records
34
50
50
PAYMENT POLICY: I accept PayPal and U.S.-negotiable cashier s check. Payment must be made within five 5 business days after the bidding for the item ends, UNLESS you are combining shipping. If you are planning to combine shipping, you can wait up to 7 days after your first win for the last auction to end. If that timing does not work for you because, for example, you will be on vacation, etc. , please contact me BEFORE bidding.
