Billie Holiday Lover Man 45 box set 4 EX+ / EX+ 1951 9-250 Decca Black Label OG

$

119

 Billie Holiday's Lover Man, a Decca boxed set of four 7" 45s from 1951. On the cover's lower right it says Decca Album 9-250 and very small below that it says 24M series. Lower left has Copyright 1951 decca records then Printed in USA, the spine at the bottom has the cat. # then below that in small print it has (4-24M). The box is in nice, clean and functional shape, the photos capture what rub or shelf wear that it has from storage over the years. This set has been in the field (as in purchased and owned or played, not sitting out in a field..) for 62 years. All the discs are cat. numbered correctly to what is listed on the inner lid and all say on each label that the side is side _ of 8 etc., so no substitute 45s. The inner sleeves were substituted on 2 of these records though, honestly my recollection is that they came that way but two may have been out of a sleeve and I substituted before stashing the set in a cabinet (no smoking in this house and no U.V. in the cabinet). Label pictures show the cat. numbering on each label which does match up to what is also listed with the titles of the songs on the inner cover, in sequence per the track list on the inner cover: 9-23391, 9-24796, 9-24638 then 9-23853. The cover has about 6 paragraphs inside telling a bit about Billie Holiday as well as the track list, there is a pen or marker line about 1.1" diagonally across the middle of the inside back of the box over a large list of other titles available from Decca at the time -doesn't obsure anything really but it is there and it is magenta in color. I would go EXcellent or better or EX+ as it is solid, clean and fully functional and presentable.

All the records are in better than EXcellent condition, it is fair to say NM as there is only slight and subtle handling signs on very few spots and the labels are new like with only one showing a slight mark. They do mostly look to be NM with the last disc showing a couple light and very small marks, but absolutely nothing feelable. I have yet to listen to them.

$4.00 shipping is U.S. Only! All bidders, after winning an auction please contact me if your plan is to bid on any more items so I can invoice a correct amount later, usually not a big deal, just trying to avoid confusion (on my part). I use the standard $4.00 Media Mail rate for up to 3 records which is a nice deal, but after that I need to figure cost. DOMESTIC CUSTOMERS WILL GET GREAT DEALS ON WELL PACKAGED SHIPPING (LPs OUT OF ORIG. SLEEVES ETC.) BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE DOMESTIC SALES! I will do this on a case by case basis, but typically in the past if an item has gone over say 30 bucks or so on auction then I discount the 4 bucks or in essence give free shipping -I think it's only fair and it hopefully encourages the domestic buyer.

International buyers, I will send the item anyway you like: cheapest, fastest or insured -To keep it simple we agree on the shipping terms that fit and you pay for that. Anywhere from 10 to 27 US dollars typically, The shipping calculator should be available on the page somewhere on the page.  Not shipping to China, Italy or Russia at this moment, if You are from one of these areas and wish to bid then contact me before bidding.

LP shipped in anti-static or otherwise clean sleeve next to cover both inside a poly protector sleeve -the same way I store them. Original inner sleeves stored inside cover. Padded with bubble wrap inside a cardboard media mailer usually with an extra cardboard slice inside for extra protection.

Selling off a good portion of collection so stay tuned. I basically will not list an item less than VG+. Typical exceptions would be a VG or less cover that happens to have a stunning NM disc or very rare disc in at least decent (VG-) condition. I have been collecting, picking, buying and selling records since around 1971 and still do so I have a wide spectrum of things that have accumulated over the years to dish out.

How I grade: Typical, conservative Goldmine Guide style, with a bit more latitude between VG+ and NM as most of what I list will have little or no marks. I try to play grade but don't always get there, so assume all grading to be visual (I use 2 types of bright light to REALLY see) unless a play grade is written up.

  MINT: This record looks like it has just left the manufacturer, brilliant luster with NO flaws what so ever. It looks as though it had never been handled. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains. No stickers address labels, writing on the covers or labels. No tears or seam splits. No sawcuts allowed! No wear to the cover or record period!

NM or M- : this record appears virtually flawless, new luster, A VERY minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl. It should play without any noise over the flaw. The flaw is very hard to see. The cover looks as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Only the slightest hint of ringwear might be acceptable (good pics help here).

VG++ / EX+ or NM-: VERY few if any minor or light marks which are only visible in harsh light. No marks that should be audible. Cover: artwork is still damn close to perfect. Maybe some slight ring wear, maybe some slight creases near the corners, but nothing too obvious or obtrusive to the eye. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade.

VG+ / EX: The vinyl still has a great luster, There may be very few scuffs and NO Scratches except the smallest and inaudible. A flaw might be noticeable in regular light such as a light mark. If the flaws don't cause any noise, the vinyl can still make the VG+ grade. COVERS: A virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it. The artwork looks clean with slight aging. Flat white paper can be somewhat foxed or yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage beyond a very minor amount. Some minor wear to the seams or spine, but no tears or holes popping through. The corners may be slightly dog eared, in essence, a VG+ cover should have no more than 2 or 3 flaws mentioned.

VG: Getting into the less collectible but still quite playable zone -old deep groove monos that look VG can sound great (but that's another story). They are not really going to look very good, but it will play very good. there can be some surface noise when they are played. The fidelity should still be excellent, overpowering the surface noise. A VG record may appear well played but still have some luster. Occasional tics or light pops but NO sticking in a groove. Some light to moderate scuffs, maybe a scratch or two but let's face it NO audible cliff sized cuts!. VG covers are getting tired. There may be some seam splitting . There could be some ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG condition. There may be some writing on the cover (still, no Large letters with marker). It will look aged and more yellowed or foxed due to contaminates in the air, still it should be decent.

VG-: I have had and have VG- records that play well, O.K. records if that is the best you have around. For me this is where it gets bad and not so 'VG' as in skips etc. and just slides on downhill from here and gets worse as in G+, G, G- and down on into Fair and finally Poor grades. I wont be listing items in that condition. If I did I would explain them clearly, but I would probably be wasting both yours and my time.i