marcvarc Store

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I collected over 250 LP records in my younger days, between 1968 and 1980, mostly rock / progressive rock, and some classical. 

I am now moving to a narrowboat, with no space for a bulky vinyl collection. So I have now got my favourites in CD and MP3 format and am selling off the LPs.

I'm not a dealer, and not an expert on catalogue numbers, issues, pressings or release dates. 

So I will note below as 'Year of Release' the (P) year printed on the label, and give the matrix codes in full for each side of the disk(s). 

You must decide whether a disk is an original or a re-issue based on that, the scans of the labels, and on the date of purchase I quote if I had noted it (unfortunately I didn't for every album I bought).

I usually played these records on a Bang & Olufsen Beogram 8000 parallel tracking turntable, a top quality turntable with a regularly checked elliptical diamond stylus tracking at no more than 1.5 grams.

The records have not been played in the last ten years or so, as my record deck broke down and instead I played CDs. 

With no working record deck, I can no longer play LPs, so can now only give the records a visual grading.

The records have always been stored upright on their edges, in a protective plastic outer sleeve.

Unless the inner paper sleeve was special, I replaced it with a generic unbranded plastic-lined sleeve to protect the vinyl, so that's what you'll get, rather than the original inner sleeve.

If I retained the original inner sleeve, and it was special, I'll show a picture of both sides of it below.

But, because I previously had some records stolen, on the record label I wrote my name or initials "MVH" with a fibre tip pen, and put my initials or signed inside the outer card sleeve (which you can't see unless you hold the sleeve open).

Also, I often lettered on the inside plastic-lined paper sleeve, and/or wrote "Stolen from..." (of course you can easily replace the inside sleeve with a new plain one).

Naturally I now wish I hadn't, as the value of the record is therefore reduced! I hope someone is still interested for the music, or the rarity of the record, if not for the perfection of the label.

Bear this in mind if you wish to bid - I have photographed the outer sleeve (and inner sleeve if it was special) and scanned both sides of the label, so you can see any writing - see images below.

I will also scan any part of the inner or outer sleeves on request, so you can see exactly what you would be getting.

I will refund your purchase price if you return the item because you feel that I have not described it accurately.

So here are the details of this item...

Artist - The Velvet Underground

Album Title - The Velvet Underground

Label - MGM

Catalogue Number - 2353022

Matrix Codes - 2353022 A//1 420 11 14 and 2353022 B//1 420 11 13

Country of Manufacture - England

Year of Release - 1969

Purchased - 07/76

Recording - Stereo

Grading, visual, vinyl - Side 1 - Very good condition with just a smudge on track 1.  Side 2 - Very good condition with no scratches, smudges or blemishes. I would say excellent, but can't, as I have not listened to it recently so this is a visual grading. 

Labels - drawn/written on, see pictures below.

Outer sleeve - Very good condition with some small creases and de-lamination on front by spine. Very shiny both sides. Good crisp corners. Signed inside of outer sleeve, but signature not visible unless the sleeve is pulled open.

Inner sleeve - Generic unbranded plastic-lined inner sleeve with writing on.

Other notes - Purchased second-hand, so I don't know what other record decks it has been played on.

Extract from Wikipedia...

The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. It was their first record to feature Doug Yule, John Cale's replacement. It was recorded in 1968 at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California. This album's softer sound marks a radical shift in approach in style from the group's previous recordings.

Context

The group's leader Lou Reed said "I really didn’t think we should make another White Light/White Heat. I thought it would be a terrible mistake, and I really believed that. I thought we had to demonstrate the other side of us. Otherwise, we would become this one-dimensional thing, and that had to be avoided at all costs." Maureen Tucker said, "I was pleased with the direction we were going and with the new calmness in the group, and thinking about a good future, hoping people would smarten up and some record company would take us on and do us justice." Doug Yule said the album "was a lot of fun. The sessions were constructive and happy and creative, everybody was working together."[1]

The Velvet Underground was the band's first album for MGM Records, the band's first two albums having been issued by MGM subsidiary and legendary jazz label, Verve Records. The previously strong Andy Warhol influence is diminished, with the most notable ties to The Factory being the cover and back photographs taken by Warholite Billy Name, and opening track "Candy Says," written about transsexual Candy Darling (who would later appear in Reed's 1972 song, "Walk On The Wild Side").

The record was produced by the band themselves, and issued in two different stereo mixes. The more widely distributed version is the one done by TTG staff recording engineer Val Valentin. The other mix was done by Lou Reed, and was dubbed the "Closet Mix" by guitarist Sterling Morrison.

The LP sleeve was designed by Dick Smith, then a staff artist at MGM/Verve.

[edit]Release history

Early copies of the album were released on MGM, but re-issue versions are on Verve.

The first U.S. version contained the Lou Reed "Closet Mix," although the track times listed on the first U.S. issue more closely match the Valentin mix. This may indicate that the Reed mix was issued by mistake or that it was substituted after the covers were printed. The original U.K. release used the Valentin mix.

All CD versions, as well as the 1985 vinyl re-issue, are copies of the Valentin mix. Other LP re-issues vary but most also use the Valentin Mix. The "Closet Mix" is available on disc four of the 1995 CD box set Peel Slowly and See.

In 2003, the album was ranked number 314 on Rolling Stone's "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

The above record grading is based on Record Collector magazine system, as below, but visual inspection only

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint. 
EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing. 
VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc. 

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced. 

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing. 

BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.

Postage, packing and payment.

I will post albums normally within two days of payment being received.

I will send single or double albums in purpose-made cardboard envelope mailers with two (for single LPs) or one (for double LPs) card stiffeners for added protection.

If you are buying 3 disks or more I will send in purpose-made cardboard cruciform mailers.

UK buyers:-

If the album sells for less than £41, I'll post Second Class; or for 3 or more disks, via Standard Parcels.The cost will be £3 for the first disk and £1 for each additional disk. Double albums count as 2 disks, triple albums as 3 disks.

If the cost of all the disks in the package is over £41, I'll post Special Delivery Next Day (1 or 2 disks) or  Standard Parcels (3 disks or more), at an additional cost to you of £4.00 to cover insurance.

Buyers outside the UK:-

I will send airmail to Europe at a cost of £5 for the first disk and £3 for each additional disk. Double albums count as 2 disks, triple albums as 3 disks.

I will send airmail to the rest of the world at a cost of £8 for the first disk and £5 for each additional disk. Double albums count as 2 disks, triple albums as 3 disks.

If the cost of all the disks in the package is over £41, I'll post International Signed For, at an additional cost to you of £10.00 to cover insurance.

I promise that I won't try to profit from postage, packing and insurance. If the total cost to me comes to less than you have paid, then I will refund the difference to you via PayPal.

I'll accept PayPal only.

I will refund the purchase price if you feel that the item has been incorrectly described, but this does not include the return postage.

If you have any problem with a purchase, please let me know rather than leaving negative feedback. I'll be happy to try to put things right.

If you want more pictures or scans or further details, no problem, please email me.

Thanks for viewing.