S. S. Kresge Co. Store Background Music Muzak style LP Record Nos. 243

$

130

This is an auction for a S. S. Kresge Co. Store Background Music Muzak style LP record Nos. 243 that was played in their stores.  The record is used but looks to
be in ok condition with no warping, no breaks, no deep scratches (a few light surface scratches, but not much) that I can see.  There are some fingerprint markings
and a few other smudge/discoloration like marks/areas on the record that I tried to wipe off, but could not "clean" them off.  They look to be permanent discoloration, but not too bad and only over parts of the record.  I have read about such discolorations and how they may have been caused by their original wrappings, but some say that this will not affect the playback quality, and some people say it will.  Some light surface soiling/scuffing, but not bad.  I have not played the
record so I cannot say anything about skips or surface noise and make no guarantees.  The record does look cosmetically ok to me.  I believe this record is from the 1960's
(as I was told), but cannot be totally certain of the time period.  This record is in less desirable condition than some of the ones I have sold before, and thus the lower starting bid.  A few of the original paper sleeves that I discarded were heavily soiled, and this could explain the discoloration on the record surface.

The record originally came in a white paper sleeve with no outer cardboard cover.  The sleeve was soiled, so I discarded it.  I am packaging the record
in a sleeve and cardboard cover from another album to keep it from damage, and this is how it will be mailed (along with some additional packing and
support, of course).  The light streaks you may see on some of the pictures are from the camera flash.   These 2 pictures were not taken with flash, so no light streaks are noticeable.  The labels are in very good condition. 

Shipping will be via USPS media mail within the US and will be about $3.50 (shipping weight will be a little more than 2 pounds) and a little more
for international shipping . We only charge for actual shipping, no extra add-ons or "handling" charges.    Good luck. 

 In the above description, I said the record was in "ok" condition.  I checked the official record grading scale, and it says that a "ok" would indicate a record with a lot of wear, etc.
Going on the "official scale" descriptions, I would rate this record as a 5-6 on a scale from 1-10.  Again, that is just my opinion.  Remember, no original cover or dust jacket included.

 Here is the "official" grading system that I used:

Record Grading:

MINT (10) Perfect! Still sealed albums are presumed MINT, but covers may not be. I will not grade any opened album as "mint", since there's obviously been some handling.

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Cover may have some slight corner creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs that should have little impact on the sound quality, or minor label imperfection---noted, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records may have some light surface noise during quiet passages or between tracks. Covers: one or two minor wear issues such as writing on cover, corner creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ----The record has been cared for, but has some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Covers may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratched-up. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and moderate surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deeper marks. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE "VERY GOOD MINUS" records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty beat-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. Record should still appear not to skip, though it's possible it can. Surface noise is moderate to occasionally heavy. Seam splits are usually a bigger issue around this level with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE "GOOD" records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Given the right moment, fans could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE "GOOD MINUS" records. Covers are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Covers may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) ---- Unlistenable and undisplayable.