David Sylvian/Robert Fripp"The First Day" 1993 UK dLP

	£		26
	$		34

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL 

DAVID SYLVIAN/ROBERT FRIPP "The First Day"

Virgin 0777 7 88208 19( pressed In UK)

 A 1993 double LP  housed in a single jacket and comes with inserts printed on thick glossy paper  containing individual portrait pictures of each of them respectively and with lyrics on the reverse.  It was virtually unplayed and in the local retailer's seal till I opened it, cleaned it, like I always do even for new LPs, and audioned it.

Buyers please note that I am based in Singapore and that the postage rate indicated is for domestic UK shipping(It is part of the UK system and I cannot change it ...please read my shipping section below). 

GRADING RESULTS:

 The cover generally looks Near Mint. Other than a speck of a smudge on the two corner edges at the entry side, there are no serious flaws.

All 4 sides of the vinyl generally look Mint visually no visible surface scratches or spindle marks.  The vinyl maintains its lustre and brilliance .Tracking at 1.7g on a Naim ARO/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge on a Linn LP12, there are an occasional light click or pop but these were not intrusive and which I attributed to static as it was just cleaned. The playing could generally be graded as generally Near Mint in view of this.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records 

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine  using the US made Walker Audio stage cleaning solution.

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 though I change them occasionally as the arm tubes can be easily transferred from one deck to another.

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

NOTE ON SHIPPING:  With effect from 27th January 2009, EBay UK has introduced a new policy whereby UK sellers have to offer a basic UK inland postage amount which is limited to £4. I am not based in the UK but in Singapore and whilst the amount would not even cover 7"/EPs, I could bear the difference for 45s but not in the case of LPs.  £4 may be barely sufficient for surface mail which will take 8 to 12 weeks and without registration. I have indicated the shipping costs below for registered air mail, but if UK buyers insist that I stick to that basic amount, then I suppose I will send by surface mail though I strongly advise against that mode .

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:

UK/USA/Europe                          13 pounds

Hongkong, Taiwan South Korea  10.80  pounds

Australia China Japan                 11.58 pounds

Postage is via Airmail, "signed for" delivery. I prefer signed for delivery as it allows me to "chase" on my side if buyers do not get their items within 2 weeks though so far this has only happened with Italy.

 I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice)