rare LP: Encores by DAVID OISTRAKH (with Yampolsky), EMI Columbia SAX 2253, ED1

$

1,300

[I will be listing another 15 or so LPs for AUCTION later tonight.  After that batch of LPs, my next LP sale will be in about a month -- probably the 3rd week of November.  From now until then, I will be listing some CDs.] 

[Please check below for larger high-resolution photos at the BOTTOM of the listing. You will need to CLICK on the photos again once you are directed to another site.  You can continue to CLICK on the photo for a larger image until the clicking does not zoom in any further.]

rare LP: Encores by DAVID OISTRAKH (violin) with Vladimir Yampolsky (piano accompaniment), EMI Columbia SAX 2253, original U.K. first stereo pressing (ED1) with the blue/silver (B/S) labels.  The deadwax matrix is: 

Side 1:  YAX 26-20 (with "I" at 9 o'clock position and "A" at 3 o'clock position).

Side 2:  YAX-27-5 (with "I" at 9 o'clock position and "L" at 3 o'clock position). 

This is the first stereo pressing, manufactured in the U.K. by EMI for its EMI Columbia label.  This is one of the most sought-after and rare UK EMI Columbia B/S stereo records.  A copy (with the outer sleeve that appears in the photos to be at best VG+) recently sold on eBay for $1,825.  A couple of weeks before that, another copy (with the outer sleeve that appears in the photos to be more like Excellent, although the seller graded it NM) sold on eBay for $1,125.  Based on the photos posted on those two eBay listings, the outer sleeve of my copy that I am listing here is SIGNIFICANTLY better.  The outer sleeve of my item is STILL INSIDE the original manufacturer's plastic outer cover, and is pristine!  If you only look at the first 2 photos above (of the outer sleeve), it looks like there are aging marks at the edges and the laminated cover appears to be flaking off.  BUT if you look closely at the 3rd and the 8th photos above, you will notice that the aging marks and the flaking are on the manufacturer's plastic cover, AND NOT on the outer sleeve.  The outer sleeve is pristine -- clean, sharp, glossy and untouched!  There are no corner wear, any other wear, sliding marks or any other marks, as the outer sleeve has not been touched.  There is only a bit of "waviness" at the top left corner, due either to the outer plastic cover or the lamination on the outer sleeve.  There are no creases or ring wear.  I have looked at the photos of every single copy that was previously sold on eBay and reported on the popsike website, and the outer sleeve of my copy is definitely the most pristine.  Even the original poly-lined inner sleeve is clean and sharp.  The record is also visually NM!  I have inspected the record under a really strong light, and there is a small non-feelable and really light scuff mark on the lead-in groove of Side 1 that causes 2 medium ticks at the beginning of Side 1.  There is also a small, super-light and non-feelable sleeve mark (that looks like a watermark on paper money) on Side 1 that does not affect play.  There are only 1 or 2 really short spindle trails on each label.   For whatever reason (perhaps because the record has not been played in more than 50 years), the record plays with some mild to medium ticks and static-like noise here and there.  Therefore, I play grade this record at only EX (Excellent).  I think that the record will play quieter and quieter with each repeat cleaning and playing.  I have played the record just 2 times.  

At least 50% of my buyers are located outside of the United States, and I welcome international buyers.  However, I still reserve the right to refuse to honor bids by buyers from countries where shipment routinely gets lost, damaged or delayed and buyers who have a pattern of nonpayment or negative feedback.  Please contact me before bidding should you have any concerns.  I also reserve the right to end the listing early if there is no bid on the item, in accordance with eBay policies.

GRADING POLICY FOR LPS:  Grading is for the cover/box and for the record.  The record may have two grades, one for visual grade and another for play grade.  I have never played some of these records and some records may only be visually graded.  The grading for the record will be relative to a mint record of the period manufactured by the same record company.  Therefore, the standards will not be the same between, for example, a Japanese Pioneer/Holland Philips/German Teldec pressing of the early 80’s (which are on super quiet vinyl) and a U.S. ABC/MCA pressing of the late 70’s (which are typically noisier).  A Near Mint graded late 70’s U.S. ABC or MCA record will play with considerably more background noise caused by cheaper vinyl material than a Near Mint graded early 80’s Japanese Pioneer, Holland Philips or German Teldec record. I have not received any complaints from my past record buyers on my grading.  I used to buy many records graded by other eBay sellers as Near Mint, only to find out that they should have been graded VG+ or much worse.  My grading scale is:  Sealed (still in shrink wrap); NM (Near Mint); NM- (Near Mint Minus); EX (Excellent); VG+ (Very Good Plus); VG (Very Good); VG- (Very Good Minus); G (Good); and P (Poor).  If you ONLY collect "MINT" or "NEW" records, you should not bid on any item with any grade less than NM.  For almost all collectors, my NM- should not require any further "upgrade" for you.  For almost all collectors, my EX should be acceptable for your collection copy.  If you are an audiophile who cannot tolerate vinyl surface noise, you should only bid on records play graded as NM.  For most audiophiles, my EX play grade should be acceptable for your collection copy.  [PLEASE NOTE that I will not accept returns of SEALED records and I will not refund any part of your payment for a SEALED record.] 

SHIPPING POLICY:  All records have been cleaned on my VPI 16.5 record cleaning machine and will be placed in a poly-lined or rice paper sleeves, unless the records are sealed or the record already comes with a clean poly-lined inner sleeve.  The LP will be packed in a cardboard box LP mailer manufactured by ULINE (not the cheap, thin or flimsy kind but the more expensive, sturdy and bigger kind).  Unless the winning bidder requests otherwise, the record will be placed outside of the LP outer jacket so that it will not damage the cover during transit. 

I will NOT be responsible for UNINSURED items lost, damaged or delayed during transit.  If you would like to pay for insurance, please contact me regarding the cost.  

For U.S. destinations, the shipping cost for 1 record delivered via US Postal Service Media Mail will be $4 for everyone in the United States.  For each additional record, add $1.00 for each for up to 5 records.  (Each LP mailer will fit up to about 5 records.)  For example, for a boxed set containing 3 records, please just add $2 to the shipping cost of the first record.  If you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office (e.g., Priority Mail or Express Mail) or a private courier service (e.g., FedEx or UPS), please contact me.

For destinations OUTSIDE of the U.S., below are the prices for US Postal Service First Class Mail and Priority Mail.  Please contact me regarding the cost if you would like your item shipped using a different option offered by the US Post Office or a private courier service (e.g., FedEx or DHL). (Please note that the weight limitation for one package is 4 pounds, including the box mailer, packaging material, etc.)

Cost of international shipping via USPS First Class Mail, which usually takes about 2 weeks but may take as much as 4 weeks: 

Canada

Asia/Australia

(China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, etc.)

Europe

(Russia, UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.)

1 record

$12

$17

$17

2 records

$15

$22

$22

3 records

$17

$27

$27

4 records

$19

$31

$31

5 records (assuming less than 4 lbs.)

$21

$35

$35

Cost of international shipping via USPS Priority Mail, which usually takes about 1 week: 

Canada

Asia/Australia

Europe

1 to 2 records

$29

$42

$42

3 to 4 records

$31

$46

$46

4 to 5 records

$34

$50

$50

 PAYMENT POLICY:  I accept PayPal and U.S.-negotiable cashier’s check.  Payment must be made within five (5) business days after the bidding for the item ends, UNLESS you are combining shipping.  If you are planning to combine shipping, you can wait up to 10 days after your first win for the last auction to end.  If that timing does not work for you (because, for example, you will be on vacation, etc.), please contact me BEFORE bidding.