Helen Merrill; Emarcy 36006; DG, Blue Drummer label; Early MONO press

$

46

SUPER RARE. I don't think it's a FIRST pressing (the back of the album cover is black text, not blue), but I do know it's for sure an early pressing. This one is pretty played though -- and there's a bit of a defect, kind of. 

See below for more detail:

VINYL: G+ HAS DEFECT (3.5 of 10) Early press, Deep groove MONO copy with Drummer label. So the LP plays thorough with lighter crackle throughout, and plays through fine. DEFECT: Side 2 there's what looks like a burn on the runout. So you can't use the runout, but if you put the needle directly next to the first track it's fine. The side 2 surface also seems more dull to me. The pressing does also appear to have a dull stain almost ... pretty sure it's the pressing itself. NO warp at all -- it's flat. Otherwise some lighter scuffing, and it plays on both sides with fairly consistent crackle -- not too loud, but it's there.
COVER: Stronger VG- (6.0 of 10) Cover is actually fantastic EXCEPT the top seam is completely split. That's really the only issue. Gloss, art, and back are all in fantastic shape otherwise -- very beautiful art. _______ Now the standard messages:

GRADING: Yes I use standard grading. HOWEVER, I will NEVER use the word "mint" or "near mint" to describe a used LP ... sorry, won't do it. The highest I go is VG+. I use a number after to more represent a combination of how the vinyl looks and how it sounds. 10 is the best. I'll describe what I see in addition. I've found the combination of these two can minimize expectation gaps. But ask questions when in doubt.

CLEANING: Yes. All vinyl is cleaned ... on my own machine I made. Vacuum machine. I wash and rinse with my own formula cleaners -- once with my enzyme cleaner, and rinsed with my own distilled water/alcohol formula. ... this process has worked for me for years.

TESTING: Yes. I've listened to the records I sell. I play on a Lenco L70, via AT MM cart; tube preamp, a Dynaco ST-70 all tube amp to KLH 17 speakers. An super tubey setup, right!?
SHIPPING: Free anywhere Media Mail, domestic. Overseas is BY WEIGHT, so check that weight before bidding, you overseas-ers! LPs shipped in a proper box with plastic sleeve, and yes, vinyl shipped outside the sleeve. 
RETURNS: Generally a no go, unless you have a compelling reason. But if there's a serious problem, I'm sure we can figure it out with a return. I mean, I am an adult ... allegedly. But I do try to describe accurately, offer time for questions, and I deal in used records, not new stuff ... yes, it's always kind of a gamble buying via eBay, which is why I try to do my best to make an objective attempt to describe the LP in question. ASK QUESTIONS WHEN IN DOUBT. I promise, we can make this an easy transaction