Elvis Presley LPM-1254

German Pressing 1956!

No Reserve

I have been selling and collecting records for over 35 years and have acquired some of the most rare and collectible records available anywhere. Recently, I’ve decided to start to sell some of my “gems” on Ebay. I try to grade as accurately as possible, based on Goldmine standards. If you are not familiar with these, please check the descriptions of these grades below. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

My policy is for you to be happy with your purchase or you can return it (must be in same condition as sent) and receive a refund minus your shipping & handling costs, no questions asked.

Incredibly rare item! One of the holy grails of Elvis records; seldom seen and not found listed in any record catalog that I know of. This is not the same as the German pressing meant for sale in Germany. The labels are different as well as the cover. This record was meant for sale to Americans. All language is in English and there are statements that it was made in the US. However the wax indicates German manufacture (See Below).

Some say these were made only for our military men over in Germany. But that is just a guess. There have been a few recently sold on Ebay, but not in this condition nor with one very precious missing element that makes this copy even more rare. There was a sticker that was placed over the red stamped area to hide it.  All other copies I have seen are without this small sticker because most had fallen off and were lost years ago. The one that belongs to this copy was expertly removed recently, so as to reveal what was underneath. It still has all the gummed backside in tact and can be remounted easily if one desires.

Vinyl Condition- Amazing quality! There are some small scuffs and a few light scratches, but I played it to confirm a beautiful, clean sound. Very occasional and quiet background noise can be heard but isn't really noticable. There are no jumps or skips and no warps. Some tracks sound near mint. This was pressed on a very heavy and unusual vinyl that I haven't seen used on any other records except these German pressings for Americans in the 1950's. The labels are beautiful silver print on glossy black with just a hint of center hole wear. They state "Made in USA" but the trail-off vinyl is stamped "Manufactured in Germany". Grade VG+

Cover Condition- This is one of the best condition covers that I have ever seen for this 1956 record.  There is no ring wear and it is very clean. Note the red stamp on the back. I have placed the sticker designed to cover it next to it in a close-up .There is some foxing in a few areas, but again, very little. There is 1 1/2" seam split on the bottom seam at the opening and 1/16" seam split on the top seam at the opening. The back bottom right shows where a possible price sticker has been removed and took some of top layer with it (see photo). The cover states "printed in USA" but the quality belies that statement and it obviously is of foreign origin. There is also a plain slip sleeve that is original and included. Grade VG+

My theory is that RCA used a German manufacturer because Germany was still in a reconstruction state.The quality was high and the price was inexpensive, especially for an album they were having trouble keeping up with orders. It is not unheard of record companies going outside of their normal channels to keep up with demand. Decca pressed for Parlophone for the Beatles at one time. However, the origin had to be somewhere least noticable and a possible red tariff stamp were used (covered later by the sticker). This was done possibly because anti German sentiment ran very high in the 1950's in America. I believe that RCA abandoned having these made in Germany early-on due to the possible backlash. 

Please note that pictures of the record are showing reflections of myself taking its picture and are not defects in the vinyl.

TERMS/CONDITIONS
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Grading

Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way -- certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-): A nearly perfect record. The record should show no obvious signs of wear.

An LP jacket should have no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. Basically, an LP in Near Mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Generally worth 50 percent of the Near Mint value. A Very Good Plus record will show some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it.

Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play.

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight ring wear, lightly turned-up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP jacket may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or cut corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.

In general, if not for a couple minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable. A synonym used by some collectors and dealers for "Very Good Plus" is "Excellent."

Very Good (VG): Generally worth 25 percent of the Near Mint value.

Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc.

Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+): Generally worth 10-15 percent of the Near Mint value. Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). A jacket or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it... but keep looking to upgrade.

Poor (P), Fair (F): Generally worth 0-5 percent of the Near Mint price. The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon.

Some common abbreviations:

RW - Ring Wear (circular impression on the record jacket caused by the record inside)
EW - Edge Wear (wear on the edges of the jacket)
CC - Cut Corner of jacket
GF - GateFold cover
OC - On Cover
OBC - On Back Cover

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