Dave Brubeck & Bill Smith Near Myth RARE ORIG U.K. Vocalion / Vogue L.P. EX+/NM

	£		16
	$		21

Background Information

I am currently in the process of shifting a vast collection of stock which largely derives from a Record Shop which closed its doors in the early 1980s.  The stock spans a period from the early 1960s through to the early 80s with the bulk dating from the 1970s.  There are large quantities of Progressive Rock, R & B and Soul and Modern Classical.  Most of the items have sustained a single play (clearly standard practice to check for flaws upon receipt of new records back-in-the-day) however, some are obviously UNPLAYED.  The bulk of what I’m currently selling comes from this source and I’d guess it will be years before I exhaust it!

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK Pretty pristine and Original U.K. 1961 Red Label Vocalion/Vogue ‘High Fidelity’ pressing of Dave Brubeck & Bill Smith’s ‘Near Myth’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Vocalion/Vogue Records LAE 565).  This is a high quality pressing DECCA pressing with a slightly depressed inner ring in the centre of the labels.  The sleeve is a fully laminated affair with flip-backs at the top and bottom on the rear but it is still an undeniably flimsy.  The spine of the sleeve has been pinched but because there is very little ‘depth’ to the sleeve it is arguably as flat as the rest of the sleeve.  This copy is simply immaculate.  I’d guess that it didn’t sell at the time (early 1960s) and was just placed into storage.  This is not an unusual occurrence as items such as this have been found across the collection.  I’d guess that this copy might have seen a single play in the 50+ years since it’s manufacture.  It is not immediately obvious looking at the playing surfaces that it has ever been played however, viewing the labels under an intense light I can just about make out a light spindle drag on each side.  When grading the vinyl under an intense light it is immediately obvious that this copy has never seen heavy play and arguably it is as immaculate as the day it was pressed.  I don’t believe I am misrepresenting the vinyl by saying that it is in NEAR MINT condition (not a grade I just throw around).  The sleeve repeats the same story as the vinyl.  Having been stored in a polythene sleeve it’s entire life the lamination looks like it was applied yesterday and not over 50 years ago.  The appearance of the sleeve is somewhat miraculous with the rear being as ‘bleached’ white as the day it was pressed.  The most significant flaw with regards to the sleeve relates to the spine.  As noted above the sleeve has been pinched and typically this has resulted in laminate bubbles forming along the spine on the front of the sleeve in particular (there is only one small laminate bubble on the rear).  The sleeve has clearly been stored in a rack at some point and therefore these bubbles have cracked in three places on the front of the spine (although all the laminate is still present and these ‘cracks’ aren’t immediately obvious.  The only other flaws worth mentioning are some tiny creases in the laminate near the opening edge of the sleeve on both sides which result from the flimsy sleeve being gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl is removed.  This is the sort of sleeve which is so flimsy that these imperfections are all but inevitable whenever the sleeve is handled.  It really is miraculous that the sleeve has survived in this condition and it is graded as being in EXCELLENT+ condition.

Condition

VINYL – NEAR MINT

SLEEVE – EXCELLENT+

Final Remarks

I can say with some confidence that you would never locate a better copy than this.  Please check my other auctions for further Jazz LPs as well as a large run of Folk, Pop, R&B, Rock and Soul collectables from the same source in similarly immaculate condition.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

Returns Policy

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase then please contact me within 7 days of receipt.  The buyer is expected to meet the return postage costs.

Payment Methods

Domestic buyers can pay via Cheque, PayPal or Postal Order.  Overseas buyers are always welcome and are required to pay via PayPal.  Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed.

Postage Costs

I have had to bring my service in-line with changes to Royal Mail Terms and Conditions effective of April 2013.  Previously items sent via standard post were automatically covered up to the value of £46.00 however, standard postage now only covers items up to the value of £20.00.  Items with an opening value >£20.00 will include domestic Signed For postage costs automatically.  Items with an opening value <=£20.00 and which complete with a value <=£20.00 will continue to be dispatched via standard post unless otherwise agreed (i.e. the buyer indicates a preference otherwise).  Items which have an opening value <=£20.00 but whose final value is >£20.00 will be subject to enhanced postage costs in order to cover the extra insurance which is required.  I hope this is as straightforward as I can make it?  Ultimately, please don’t make payment until you’ve received an invoice from me and if you aren’t happy with the invoice you receive then I’m always open to discussion.  Buyers should be aware that both Ebay and PayPal take a % of postage charges (i.e. they are higher than I’d ideally want them to be).

Multiple purchases will be subject to consolidated postage costs.  I will contact you at the end of the auction to confirm these costs.

Proof of postage is always obtained and retained.

Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.