Martha Reeves & Vandellas Black Magic Hard-to-find ORIG UK Tamla Motown LP EX+

	£		25
	$		33

Background Information

I am currently in the process of shifting a vast collection of stock which largely derives from a Record Shop which closed its doors in the early 1980s.  The stock spans a period from the early 1960s through to the early 80s with the bulk dating from the 1970s.  There are large quantities of Progressive Rock, R & B and Soul and Modern Classical.  Most of the items have sustained a single play (clearly standard practice to check for flaws upon receipt of new records back-in-the-day) however, some are obviously UNPLAYED.  The bulk of what I’m currently selling comes from this source and I’d guess it will be years before I exhaust it!

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK Original U.K. 1972 (flipback sleeve dated 05/72) Tamla Motown pressing of Martha Reeves & The Vandellas 'Black Magic' L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Tamla Motown STML 11204).  This is a late flipback sleeve but only features flipbacks along the top and the bottom (not along the spine).  This is a truly stunning copy!  Quite frankly if I had the space I'd keep it but something has to go (I can't keep everything!).  This has probably been played a couple of times.  Very limited hairline scratches are visible on both sides under an intense light but this is a solid EXCELLENT+ grading.  This copy has never been subjected to heavy play and is contained within the correct, period Tamla bag.  The sleeve is pretty astonishing.  It has always been contained within a polythene sleeve and so the laminate looks like it was applied yesterday.  It is so fresh!  There are none of the customary scuffs/evidence of handling which tends to dull the laminate with age.  The rear of the sleeve is almost entirely in black print and invariably this shows-up greasy fingerprints and tends to go white with ring-wear but here it is also as 'fresh' as the day it was pressed.  You can perhaps make out a couple of fingerprints but the polythene has really protected this copy.  There has been virtually no loss of print.  The flaws are most minor but include the lightest of knocks having been sustained to both bottom corners, a light crease near the opening edge (replicated on the rear of the sleeve) and two smalls 'digs' to the opening edge of the sleeve.  There is also some creasing to the spine characteristic of the sleeve having been in a record rack (awaiting a buyer who never arrived!).  To be honest grading the sleeve as anything less than NEAR MINT would be doing it a disservice.  You will really struggle to find a nicer copy than this!

Condition

L.P. Cover

NEAR MINT – Please see detailed comments above.

Vinyl

EXCELLENT+ - Please see my detailed comments above.

Concluding Remarks

A beautiful copy of this desirable L.P.  Please check my other auctions for further Tamla Motown lps and 45s and other items from the same source in similarly immaculate condition.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

Returns Policy

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase then please contact me within 7 days of receipt.  Unless otherwise agreed the buyer is expected to meet the return postage costs.

Payment Methods

Domestic buyers can pay via Cheque, PayPal or Postal Order.  Overseas buyers are always welcome and are required to pay via PayPal.  Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed.

Postage Costs

I have had to bring my service in-line with changes to Royal Mail Terms and Conditions effective of April 2013.  Previously items sent via standard post were automatically covered up to the value of £46.00 however, standard postage now only covers items up to the value of £20.00.  Items with an opening value >£20.00 will include domestic Signed For postage costs automatically.  Items with an opening value <=£20.00 and which complete with a value <=£20.00 will continue to be dispatched via standard post unless otherwise agreed (i.e. the buyer indicates a preference otherwise).  Items which have an opening value <=£20.00 but whose final value is >£20.00 will be subject to enhanced postage costs in order to cover the extra insurance which is required.  I hope this is as straightforward as I can make it?  Ultimately, please don’t make payment until you’ve received an invoice from me and if you aren’t happy with the invoice you receive then I’m always open to discussion.  Buyers should be aware that both Ebay and PayPal take a % of postage charges (i.e. they are higher than I’d ideally want them to be).

Multiple purchases will be subject to consolidated postage costs.  I will contact you at the end of the auction to confirm these costs.

Proof of postage is always obtained and retained.

Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.