RARE Szigeti Szell Bach Tartini Concertos 1st US Columbia 19 Mono LP EX/EX-

	£		34
	$		45

Fine copy of this rare early issue US Columbia Masterworks LP, heavyweight mono pressing, Blue labels.  Vinyl looks and plays EX- to NM sleeve EX. Superb violin tone and quiet surfaces, just a few ticks.  These early issue US Columbia "Masterworks" LPs are often in poor condition iht lots of surface nosie, and the unlaminated matt sleeves are frequently worn, but this is a really well preserved example.

I am selling a number of classic or rare 60s 70s and 80s albums in many genres, early pressings mostly, listing several more every day for the next few weeks, and happy to stockpile to economise on postage.

ML 4891 Joseph Szigeti plays Bach, Handel and Tartini pices, with Carlo Bussotti, and George Szell and the Columnia Symphony Orchestra,
Heavyweight 180g vinyl looks EX-, flat and glossy, just a few very faint hairlines visible under bright light, that do not affect play, 
Labels:  Blue and silver first issue labels NM no spindle trails visible under bright light.
Fully play-tested on Thorens TD 160 with mono cartridge and equalisation, EX- to NM. For an LP that is 72 years old, this plays amazingly well, with beautiful clear violin tone and great reproduction for a pressing and recording of this age. No groove wear or distortion at all, no fizzing, no loud clicks or repetitive clicks, good quiet srurfacs for this vintage vinyl, the only defects are some mostly light ticks at the start of side 1, not very loud, for about a minute, plus a few light "static pops" one or twice.  Ideally play using a mono cartridge and equalisation to get the best out of the grooves.
Unlaminated semi-matt thick card sleeve design is EX.  All intact, no splits, no tears, no major creases and no stains. Spine intact,  back mostly clean with slight age-browning at opening edges,  These early heavy US sleeves are often badly worn or damaged, and the seams often are split, but this is remarkably well preserved - see photos.
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These LPs are all from my personal collection, which has grown much too large, and so I am thinning down, as I won't be able to listen to all of them in one lifetime.  

The description will state if the LPs have been fully auditioned (for rarer material, or when the visual grading is unclear), spot-auditioned, or if not otherwise stated, just visually graded.

For listening tests, stereo LPs are played either on LP12/Ekos/Dynavector10XS while monos are tested on Thorens TD160/SME 3009/Denon DL102,  Visual grading is under magnification and spotlight.

In my experience, most used LPs will benefit from professional cleaning which reduces background surface noise and often removes many of the pops and clicks, especially when these are due to debris, grease etc on the surface.

 

GRADING  (obviously slightly subjective and often dependent on original pressing and vinyl quality) - see description of each LP for more detail. 

Mint  Only used for sealed and unopened records (which may of course have pressing defects which are not visible until unsealed).

NM     Visually perfect, no scuffs or other marks, and plays without any problems, and barely audible surface noise (depending on date and pressing).  No spindle trails on label. Jacket (sleeve) or box will be almost perfect.

EX+    The occasional extremely light mark, fingernail scuffs etc that should not make any difference to the sound, possibly a few spindle trails on the label. Playback should be similar to NM.  Jacket or box may have very minor defects such as slight creases, or ring-wear but these will be not very noticeable

EX     Only one or two very minor marks that might give the occasional low level pop or click but no serious scuffs or scratches and the record should play without any distortion or serious problems. Surface noise may be slightly more apparent than NM but still not at all distracting.  Jacket or box may have some minor defects, slight distortions or edge knocks, small amount of discolouration or slight laminate peel etc.

 VG+    Minor surface marks that will give occasional background noise or a few repeating click and pops for a short period, or more noticeable surface noise, but on the whole the record should play without serious problems, and will still be enjoyable to listen to.  Sleeve or box may have noticeable defects (laminate peel or loss, small edge splits or repaired tears, staining or discoloration, slight sticker damage etc), but no major tears, losses, or bends.

VG:   There are marks that will cause some deterioration in the sound, such as repeating clicks from shallow scratches, or higher levels of background noise but this will not be serious enough to cause a major distraction to the listener.  Very slight inner groove or "side-end" distortion may be present on loud passages. Sleeve or box might have splits (repaired or otherwise), pronounced ring-wear, tears, sticker damage, writing,or noticeable creases or bends. 

Only very rare records will be offered for sale in less than VG condition; the description will give details of all the defects in such cases.

  

Postal charges:                      

Calculated by weight, including packaging

UK:  Royal Mail "signed-for" 1st class (insured up to £50)

up to 2kg (normally 4-7 LPs)                       £5.50 (Second class £4.50)

Over 2kg, Parcelforce Express 48 prices (insured up to £100):

Up to 5kg                                                       £13

Up to 10kg                                                     £16

Additional insurance can be purchased, please ask for a quote.

Europe signed and tracked postage (insured up to £50):

1 LP £12.00 

2 LP  £13,00

3 LP  £14.00

4 LP £15.00

5 LP £16.00

Rest of the World (except USA and Australia) signed, and tracked if available, air mail (insured up to £50):

1 LP  £17.00 

2 LP  £20.00

3 LP  £23.00

4 LP  £25.00

5 LP  £27.00

Tracked and signed-for postage to the USA and Australia has unfortunately recently become more expensive:

1 LP  £19.00 

2 LP  £22.00 

3 LP  £25.00 

4 LP  £28.00 

5 LP  £31.00 

 ·         Larger quantities, please ask for a quote. 

 ·         Boxed sets - the box generally adds the weight of one extra LP.  Please remember that earlier pressings will usually weigh more than later ones (some early mono LPs are more than 200g).

 ·         For all packages insurance is required and I can provide a quote for higher value packages (over £50).  I will always retain proof of postage.

 ·         LPs will be well packed, with extra stiffeners, and with the LP removed from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits.  High value items will be double-boxed.

 ·         Honest mistakes in grading can occur occasionally, so if the LP is not as described, please contact me within 14 days to arrange return and refund (buyer pays return postage)