Ernie Graham (Help Yourself ) 1971 UK Liberty LBS 83485

	£		261
	$		346

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL

ERNIE GRAHAM

Liberty LBS 83485 (pressed in England)

TRACK LISTING

Side 1:  1) Sebastian 2) So Lonely 3) Sea Fever 4) The Girl That Turned The Lever

Side 2:  1) For A little While 2) Blues To Snowy 3) Didn't Want Me Around You 4) Belfast

BACKGROUND TO THIS RECORD:

A singer-songwriter who played with Help Yourself, BrinsleySchwarz etc this is his only solo LP. The backing musicians includes his old pals like Ken Whaley, Brinsley Schwarz, Nick Lowe etc. It is on the early textured cover.

Incidently, the advertisement for Record Collectors 2010 price guide in the October issue has a picture of this LP.

GRADING RESULTS:  

I would rate the cover as generally VG++.  There are some light scuffs along the bottom edge on both sides which caused a slight 0.5 inch tear on the bottom right hand edge. There is also a scuff along the bottom left hand side on the spine.

The vinyl looks Near Mint with no visual surface scratches or spindle marks. There is a very light scuff on the 3rd track on side 2 but it did not affect play. The vinyl maintains it lustre and is mirror like and the labels are generally  clean.Tracking at 1.7g on my Naim Aro tonearm/LyraHelikon SL cartridge, there are light clicks and pops and the playing is generally VG++.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine and/or VPI 17.5 using the US made 3 stage Walker Audio cleaning fluid

Playback Equipment: Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers. For 45s I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Linn Troika.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable. 

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears.

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays. Shipping costs in Pounds are:

LPs :

9 for the first

2 each for the  subsequent ones

I have increased my postage marginally due to the pound weakening vis-a-vis the Siingapore dollar. I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice) 

·       International Money Orders