Star Wars John Williams Original Soundtrack ORIG U.K. 20th Century DBL LP EX

	£		22
	$		29

Original U.K. 1977 20th Century Records Double L.P. pressing John Williams ‘Star Wars Original Soundtrack’ performed by the London Symphony Orchestra (Catalogue Reference: 20th Century Records BTD 541).  The matrixes are a little confusing here but I believe this to be a 70s pressing.  Like most 70s U.K. 20th Century records this was pressed by Pye and appears to be a solid vinyl pressing as opposed to many 70s Pye pressing which are thin to the point of being almost translucent and therefore appear blue, green or red in colour when held up to a light.  The pressings are relatively weighty and of a decent quality.  The sleeve is a gatefold affair and includes a thin doubled-sided insert with recording details and a description of how each track was inspired by the film.  This is a very fine example of this double set which has obviously seen only very limited play.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (INSERT) / EX (GATEFOLD SLEEVE): The surfaces are a little dusty but they really shine and it is obvious this copy hasn’t seen heavy play.  There are no obvious marks on either disc.  I grade all my items under an intense light and here limited, ultra-fine hairline marks are present.  These are a by-product of the white paper sleeve clinging to the vinyl’s surface while the record was withdrawn.  Aside from a few spindle ‘drags’ the labels are immaculate.  Considering how thin and flimsy the insert is it remains pretty crisp and again, hasn’t been handled much.  There are no creases but limited bends around the very edges where the insert has bent around fingertips whilst being handled.  Like the rest of this package the sleeve is also crisp.  This kind of thin laminate tends to show-up all handling and wear and the outside of this still really shines.  There is a ‘suggestion’ of ring-wear however, the most pronounced flaw is wear which is visible to each edge with the top right-hand corner on the front having received a light knock which I have attempted to capture in the attached images.  There has been limited exposure of the white cardboard underlay around the very edges but otherwise there is very little else to say.  This set rarely survives in this kind of condition!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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