Terje Rypdal & The Chasers Blue 80s German ECM L.P. EX/EX+ Condition

	£		20
	$		26

Original, German 1987 Deep Green & Silver label ECM Records L.P. pressing of Terry Rypdal & The Chasers ‘Blue’ album (Catalogue Reference: ECM Records 1346).  This must be an early pressing as the vinyl remains inside the original, poly-lined inner sleeve which is dated ‘7/87’ in one corner (i.e. July 1987).  The pressing is a typically thin and flimsy, German 80s pressing but is of a high standard.  The sleeve is a single affair and is surprisingly weighty for an ECM German 80s sleeve.  It is covered in a thin layer of lamination.  I brought this for myself but I have never bothered playing it.  It was purchased secondhand but had obviously seen only the most minimal of play before coming into my possession.  I’ve never brought rubbish when it comes to my own collection.  This is a solid example.

CONDITION: EX/EX+ (VINYL) / EX (SLEEVE): This copy has seen play but evidently hasn’t seen heavy play.  There are no obvious marks and the surfaces have a great sheen to them.  The surfaces are pretty clean (i.e. are not covered in dust) although there are a couple of grubby fingerprints visible in the run-off groove.  Under an intense light a limited volume of ultra-fine, wispy hairline marks are present but the bulk of the playing surfaces are mark-free.  These ECM labels are prone to showing-up greasy fingerprints but these are clean.  The sleeve is in very solid condition and arguably displays no major flaws.  There is creasing along the spine which has exposed the white cardboard underbelly presumably as a result of the sleeve having sat in a rack minus it’s contents at some point in time.  There is a little wear to each corner and as is par for the course with these ECM sleeves, the laminate has picked-up a little grubbiness and displays some wear.  Obviously, there is a price sticker in the top right-hand corner on the front.  A fine example of a relatively hard-to-find L.P.!

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.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases  will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.