SXL 2040-41 TEBALDI: MINT TEST PRESSINGS: STILL SEALED

	£		72
	$		95

SXL 2040-41 TEBALDI: MINT TEST PRESSINGS: STILL SEALED!!

Two mint, unplayed Decca stereo double-sided test pressings from the SXL series. These two records have matrix numbers ZAL 4126 through to ZAL 4129, ordered for autochanger. This comprises most of Puccini’s opera “La Fanciulla Del West”.

SXL 2039 is missing, which is unfortunate, but what makes this item really special is that the records are genuinely mint and unplayed.  I know this because the inner sleeves in which I found these records still have an unbroken seal over the open end!

I have included a picture of the seal, although obviously it is difficult to show it in any detail. It says “Sample record: not for sale. Warning: under the Copyright Act 1956…” etc. The seal is not airtight but holds the open end tightly closed, so that it would be quite impossible to get the record out without breaking the seal or tearing the sleeve itself.

I am prepared to offer a guarantee on these records. Of course I have not actually inspected the playing surface, because to do so I would have to break the seal. The winning bidder will want to be the first to break that seal, and hear the pristine Decca sound! The records inside should be genuinely mint. If for any reason they are not, the winning bidder can return both discs for a full refund of the item price (refund will not include postage costs).

I have never seen any Decca test pressing sealed up in this way before. This item is probably unique, as only a few of these test pressings would be made anyway. A chance to own a unique Decca item!

PLEASE NOTE: this item will be sent Special Delivery in the UK, and 'international signed-for' if it is posted abroad. This means approximately £4.00 must be added to the postage prices below.

Postage

Please note I combine shipping costs wherever possible (all prices in GBP):

Number of discs:                           1                    2                    3                   4                       5                        6

UK                                              3.00                4.00               5.00              5.00                   8.00                  8.00

Europe (airmail)                            4.00                6.00               7.00              9.00                 10.00                12.00 

Rest of the World (airmail)            6.00                9.50             12.00            15.00                 17.00                20.00

                            (surface mail)    3.50                4.50               6.50              8.00                   8.50                10.00

For boxed sets, or sets including booklets, it is sometimes necessary to charge £1-£2 extra. 

European and UK customers can get especially good deals on large shipments:

- Up to 20kg can be sent within the UK mainland for only 15.00.

- up to 100 records (about 20kg) can be securely packaged and sent via road to France or Germany etc. for only 25.00 GBP! Other European destinations can be significantly more expensive however, so please ask for a quote if you are not sure! 

Items are securely packed records are placed in polythene sleeves, to protect from moisture, then inside special record mailing envelopes with two stiffeners for maximum protection. The envelopes are marked ‘fragile’.

I always minimise postage costs where possible, so please bid on multiple items with confidence – I will work out the best/cheapest way to send them. Sometimes it may be necessary to split packages to be posted internationally if they add up to more than 2kg (the cheapest UK international postal service only goes up to 2kg).

Items can be insured at extra cost. I usually include an insurance option on the invoice, in case you are worried that the item will be damaged in transit or get lost en route. Remember insured packages are treated with more care by the carrier, so even a cheap item may be worth insuring if it will be hard to find another one!

-         In the UK, ‘Special Delivery’ is the safest option, and costs £4.00.

-         For international items, prices for the ‘International Signed-For’ service is £4.30.

Items may be returned, in the condition they were sent, for a full refund (not including postage) if not satisfactory.  I will always be reasonable in dealing with any problems - please check my feedback and bid with confidence.

Methods of Payment

I accept paypal, cheque drawn on UK bank, and cash on delivery. Winning bidders are welcome to visit me at home (Hackney, in East London). I have a huge assortment of LPs for sale.

Guide to grading:

Mint: as new – might even be unplayed. Without blemish of any kind – no sounding or non-sounding marks, quiet surface, no groove damage, sleeve will be immaculate with sharp edges, and without creasing, writing, or difficult-to-remove stickers. I use this grading only rarely!

Near mint: virtually as new – at worst one or two small, very light non-sounding marks, or a few spindle marks. Definitely no audible marks – aurally, the LP should be superb with no groove damage and a quiet playing surface. It is possible the sleeve may have a few very tiny creases on the spine, or slight ‘browning’ – for details see individual listings.

Excellent: There may be some very light background surface noise, or a few surface marks. Again, there should be no audible marks unless specified in the listing. The sleeve may have very light creasing, or slight discolouration, but still be overall in very nice condition.

Very good: this LP will have audible imperfections such as scattered ticks, or an audible mark or marks. There are also likely to be visual imperfections such as light scuffs, or slight damage to the sleeve – e.g. break-through on the spine, or perhaps damage to the laminated surface of the sleeve. Again, please see individual listings for details.

Please note: The use of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign, e.g. "ex+" or "vg-", means slightly better or worse than the indicated grade.