Early 78 RPM Auction - Florodora March Band Climax (Columbia) 244 VTM V to V+

$

37

7 Day Auction on several early 1900's 78's from an estate.  All are well cared for and in VERY playable condition - ranging from V+ to E+.  Unfortunately, I do not have an adequate system to play grade these.  However, I do have considerable experience dealing in 78's and am confident that you will be more than satisfied with these items.

Grading (Based on VJM - See below.  Descriptions in black come from VJM, My grading descriptions are in red and are more strict)

Shellack (Visual): V to V+ (***Some greying evident, Several areas of light surface marks, Light dimpling in shellac, Needle drop that plays through.  Needs deeper cleaning***)

Labels: V (See grades below - see pics) 

Notes:  Etched: 1178 at 3 o'clock on label, 244 at 6 o'clock below label.  Stamped VTM.  Brass grommet present.

All records are visually graded, unless otherwise specified.  You will NEVER see my 78 listings include the phrase "...for its age."  Accurate grading has NO allowance for the age of a record.  As collectors know, these items are 70-100+ years old, but that's NO excuse to refer to a scratched and greying disk as "Excellent...for its age."

Shipping - To ensure safe arrival, all 78's are double "clam-shelled" in corrugated cardboard, then bubble wrapped and shipped in an oversize box with packing material.  Due to this level of care and the costs involved, I am unable to offer significant shipping discounts. 

Within the United States:

$4.00 for the first, $2.00 for each additional.

International (USPS Priority Mail International): 

Please wait for invoice.  Assume one 78, packaged safely, will weigh between 3 - 4 lbs and typically costs between $40 - $60, depending on location.

Please be aware that IMPORT fees and/or TARIFFS are the responsibility of the buyer and are NOT part of shipping/handling fees!  These fees can be substantial, so please consider them before bidding on higher value items.  I will NOT classify any item as a gift or declare a value less than the actual purchase price.

Shellac Grades:

• N (78) As new and unplayed.  ***This grade is NOT used.***
• N- (78) Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.  ***All original luster present, ZERO visible imperfections.  This grade is RARELY used and only for essentially perfect disks.***
• E+ (78) Very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.  ***All original luster present, imperfections are few and ONLY visible when specifically looking for them.  I try to only deal in high grade 78's, so this will be a common grade for those I offer.***
• E  (78) Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.  ***All original luster, Very minor but visible imperfection(s) on AT LEAST one side that SHOULD NOT affect play (such as light sleeve marks OR smudge).  Still a beautiful item.***
• E- (78) Still shiny but without the luster of a new record, few light scratches.  ***Still shiny, More than one area of minor but visible imperfections on AT LEAST one side that are still light and SHOULD NOT affect play. NO Scratches!  E and E- are VERY close in my grading.  E- has a greater likelihood of having an occasional click present due to the type of imperfection.***
• V+ (78)  An average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced. ***Shine MAY BE noticeably diminished with EITHER very minor greying in short passages OR SINGLE area of more pronounced imperfections (such as light scratching, a needle drop, "dimpling" of shellac due to age, etc) on AT LEAST one side.***
• V (78) ***Shine IS noticeably diminished with minor greying in short passages, sound will LIKELY have noise that SHOULD NOT be overly distracting.  MAY have areas of scratches that break grooves, but plays through without skips/repeats.***
  

Label Grades:

N: Not used, N-: Essentially perfect with crisp and clear colors and lettering and no visible imperfections - highest grade I use, E+: Crisp and clear colors and lettering with a SINGLE area of imperfection on AT LEAST one side that is visible ONLY when specifically looking for it, E: Crisp and clear colors and lettering with multiple areas of imperfections on AT LEAST one side that are visible ONLY when specifically looking for them, E-: Crisp and clear colors and lettering with a SINGLE minor but visible area of imperfection on AT LEAST one side, V+: Beginning to show its age with more pronounced imperfections such as fading colors or light scuffing that clearly detracts, V: Still acceptable but nothing to be proud of, Lower grades: Clearly "fillers" until something better comes along.

Finally, I do not believe in using reserve prices.  I will list opening bids of the minimum I am willing to accept for a record.  If it's bid on, it is selling.

Absolute satisfaction is guaranteed on all purchases.