Andy Warhol Cover, Prokofiev Alexander Nevsky, Columbia ML 4247, Green Variation

$

59

Here is a great find...Columbia Masterworks ML 4247, Prokoviev, Alexander Nevsky cantata, Op. 78, by The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, with The Westminster Choir, conducted by Dr. John Finley Williamson, and Jennie Tourel, mezzo-soprano, with an Andy Warhol illustrated album jacket! According to my research, this is generally considered to be the 2nd cover art he did (after "A Program of Mexican Music"). The original was issued in 1949, but this is a reissue (late '50s/early '60s?) with the 6-eye Columbia label. The original pressing had a blue tinted cover; the reissues had pink, orange, and green (which this one is). The record is in VG condition with very light scuffs (NOT play-tested). The cover is G+ with seam splits and ink writing on front and back (see photos). However, the Warhol section is great! Shipped with generic inner sleeve.

Shipping is $4.00 via USPS Media Mail for US buyers. Yes, I will combine shipping…just ask. Generally, it amounts to about $1.00 extra for each album. The mailers I use will comfortably ship about 4 or 5 albums.

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My definition of “play-tested”: I have two turntables that I use to play-test. I am NOT an audiophile, so my turntables are very basic: one is an Ion USB turntable and the other is a vintage Arvin console stereo. If a record looks M or NM, I don’t play-test (so I won’t accidentally damage it). I play-test for two reasons: first, to see if the record skips or repeats. If so, that usually means I won’t even list it, unless it’s pretty hard to find. I WILL let you know in the description if it skips/repeats. Second, I love records, and I like to listen to them! Unfortunately, I don’t have time to play-test every record I list…I will tell you in the description if it’s been play-tested or not.

Also, I don’t generally clean the vinyl before listing/selling/shipping. I don’t have the proper equipment for this. In rare cases, if the record is extremely dirty, I will give it a quick clean using a damp microfiber cloth and mild dish soap, then wiped clean (following the grooves, of course) with another soft cloth. Your record may come with fingerprints; those will be of the previous owner. I am EXTREMELY careful when handling records.

My grading standards: I will only use M (mint) if the record is still factory-sealed. Even then, I can’t make any guarantee, obviously, since I can’t see it. It may have become slightly warped from years of poor storage. NM (near mint) is one that I use very rarely. If I grade a record as NM, it probably looks as if I was the first person to remove it from its jacket. EX (excellent) means that it looks fantastic but may have a very light scuff or surface scratch (and by light, I mean VERY light). It’s just not clean enough to be NM. VG (very good) means that it’s exceedingly playable. It probably has several visible surface scuffs or scratches, but I have play-tested it (see above), and it played through fine, but with pops or crackles. It will probably have a little “spindle wear,” indicative of the previous owner(s) playing it. Most of my listings probably will fall into this grade. G (good) means that it probably has one or two skips/maybe a repeat, but is still desirable enough for me to list. F (fair) and P (poor) are just as they sound…not something that I would usually list. They are most likely unplayable and severely scratched. Sometimes it will be a VERY rare record that is desirable in any condition. Sometimes it will be in a mixed lot of albums that, as a lot, are collectible or for decorating/craft purposes. I do use + or – frequently, as well.

Jacket grading is also very subjective…M means factory sealed and NO storage wear. NM might not be sealed, but still looks minty. EX will have visible wear, but not much. VG is where most of my records fall…visible edge wear, “ring” wear (shows the outline of the record itself on the cover) and possibly corner bends/dings. G is one that shows lots of wear, writing, taped edges, etc. If there is a BB hole or cutout/saw mark, I usually will note this. Same goes for seam splits, etc. I always take photos of the actual record you are buying, so please look them over carefully. If the inner sleeve is anything other than plain white, I usually will note that. If the record has NO inner sleeve, I will put it into one of the surplus ones that I have (usually plain white, but sometimes just an extra from an empty jacket).