SXL 2060 "A Midsummer's Night Dream"Decca ED1 WBg BB

	£		171
	$		227

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL 

MENDELSSOHN

A Midsummer Night's Dream"

SXL 2060 ( pressed in England)

MATRIX NUMBERS:
ZAL 3559-2K/3560 1E

Considered by some to be one of the finest in the SXL 2xxx series, this is a first pressing on the Wide Band grooved Decca label with the "Original Recording By" wordings and on the blue bordered back. I sold one in the early part of 2008 for 227GBP and as this seems visually and sonically better, if my memory serves me right, then starting it at 125 GBP with no reserve seems fair enough. It has its original inner sleeve intact.

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 Excellent. There are some light creaseson the laminated covers as well as some wear spots along the entry side towards the bottom. Other than some light browning spots on the reverse, there are no major flaws. The glue on the flipback is still strong and intact.

The vinyl looks Near Mint with no visual surface scratches though it has 2 very light Decca "mounts" on each side. These "mounts" which afflict early Decca pressings especially in this part of the world were relatively smaller than the ones in my previous listing and did not affect play too badly. The vinyl maintains its lustre and is mirror like.Tracking at 1.7g on a Naim ARO/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge on a Linn LP12, there were a series of light light clicks about 5 minutes into play but they did not persist and were not intrusive. The playing could generally be graded as generally between Excellent to Near Mint.

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                          10 pounds

Hongkong, Taiwan South Korea  8.3  pounds

Australia China Japan                 8.9 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)