MILES DAVIS KIND OF BLUE LP COLUMBIA CL 1355 6-EYE MONO EARLY 1ST PRESSING—ORIG

$

100

Early FIRST Pressing. 
Original release recorded 02/03/1959 and 22/04/1959. 

6-Eye label, mono pressing. 

Tracks B1 and B2 reversed on cover

• Matrix / Runout (Side B (variant 1)): XLP47325-1AE
• 
  
• Matrix / Runout (Side A (variant 5)): XLP47324-1D

BEFORE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT what a record is worth, you need to grade

its vinyl, sleeves and labels. Play grading can be a definite advantage for a record that

looks much worse than it sounds. When you’re visually grading records, use a direct

light, such as a 100-watt desk lamp, as less direct lighting can hide defects.

Think like the buyer as you set your grades. If you’re on the fence, go with the

lower conservative grade under consideration. Records and covers always seem to

look better when you’re grading them to sell to someone else than when you’re on the

other side of the table, inspecting a record for purchase. And, if you have a Still Sealed

record, subject it to these same grading standards, short of breaking the seal.

MINT (M): Absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but

rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless

more than one person agrees the item truly is in this

condition. There is no hard-and-fast percentage

of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best

negotiated between buyer and seller.

• Overall Appearance: Looks as if it

just came off the manufacturing line.

• Record: No scuffs or scratches.

• Labels: No writing, stickers or spindle

marks. Labels are perfectly placed.

• Cover/Sleeve: No blotches, stains,

discoloration, stickers, ring wear, dinged corners,

sleeve splits or writing.

NEAR MINT (NM) OR MINT

MINUS (M-): It’s estimated that no

more than 2 to 4 percent of all records

remaining from the 1950s and 1960s are

truly Near Mint. Many dealers won’t use

a grade higher than this, implying that

no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

• Overall Appearance: Looks as

if it were opened for the fi rst time. Includes

all original pieces (inner sleeve, lyric sheets,

inserts, cover, record, etc.).

• Record: Shiny surface, free of visible defects.

No surface noise at playback. Records can retain NM condition after

many plays provided the record has been played on a properly

equipped turntable and has been cared for properly.

• Labels: Properly pressed and centered on the record. Free of writing, stickers,

spindle marks, blemishes or other markings.

• Cover/Sleeve: Free of creases, ring wear and seam splits. Cut-out markings

are unacceptable. Picture sleeves look as if no record was ever housed inside. Hint:

If you remove a 45 from its picture sleeve and store it separately, you will reduce the

potential for damage to the sleeve.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) OR EXCELLENT (E): Except for a few

minor condition issues, these records would be Near Mint. Most collectors who want

to play their records will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high

end of the grade, sometimes called VG++ or E+.

• Overall Appearance: Shows slight signs of wear.

• Record: May have light scuffs or very light scratches that don’t affect the

listening experience, or slight warps that don’t affect the sound. Expect minor signs of

handling, such as telltale marks around the center hole (but the hole is not misshapen).

Light ring wear or discoloration may be present, but barely noticeable.

• Labels: Free of writing, stickers or major blemishes.

• Cover/Sleeve: Outer cover may show some minor seam wear or a split less

than one inch long along the bottom, which is the most vulnerable location. A cut-out

marking may be present. Picture sleeves may show some slight creasing where it is

obvious the record once resided (or still does reside). May show minor seam wear or a

split less than 1 inch long along the bottom

VERY GOOD (VG): VG records have more obvious fl aws than records in better

condition. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of

their NM counterparts — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because

most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record

or sleeve will be worth the money. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG

records in them and not think twice. They remain a fi ne listening experience, just not

the same as if it were in better shape.

• Overall Appearance: Shows signs of wear and handling, including visible

groove wear, audible scratches and surface noise, ring wear and seam splits.

• Record: Lacks the original glossy finish. Groove wear is evident on sight, and

light scratches are deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record

has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially during a

song’s intro and ending, but the noise won’t overpower the music otherwise.

• Labels: May have minor writing, tape or a sticker.

• Cover/Sleeve: Expect obvious signs of human handling and

normal wear. Ring wear is expected in the middle or along the edges of

the cover where the labels or edges of a record would

rest. Seam splits may appear on all three sides,

but they won’t be obvious. Writing or a price

tag may be present. The cover may be dull

or discolored, have bent corners, stains or

other problems. If the record has more than

two of these problems, reduce its grade.

VERY GOOD MINUS (VG–),

GOOD PLUS (G+) OR GOOD

(G): Good does not necessarily mean bad! A

true G to VG- record still plays through without

skipping, so it can serve as fi ller until something

better comes along. If the record is common,

you may want to pass it up in this condition. If

you’ve sought for a long time, get it cheap and

upgrade later. And sellers? Don’t expect big

profi ts for records in these grades: They bring 10

to 15 percent of the Near Mint value at most.

• Overall Appearance: Shows

considerable signs of handling, including groove

wear, ring wear, seam splits and damaged labels

or covers.

• Record: The surface sheen is almost gone, but the record plays through

without skipping. Signifi cant surface noise and groove wear..

• Labels: Worn, possible stains, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by

someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably.

• Cover/Sleeve: Shows ring wear to the point of distraction, has obvious seam

splits and may have even heavier writing, such as huge radio station letters (or the

former owner’s name) written across the front to deter theft. Expect dinged and dogeared

edges.

FAIR (F) OR POOR (P): These records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint

value — if they go at all. More likely, these records will end up going in the trash, or

having their covers, labels or discs turned into kitschy craft items like clocks, journals,

purses, jewelry, bowls or coasters.

• Overall Appearance: Beat, trashed and dull. Records may lack sleeves or

covers (or vice versa). You may want to call a CSI unit to identify “the victim.”

• Record: Expect the vinyl to be cracked, horrifically scratched and/or impossibly

warped. The record will skip and repeat when you attempt to play it.

• Labels: Stains, tears, stickers and damage are the least of your problems; the

label may be missing some sections altogether.

• Cover/Sleeve: So heavily damaged that you almost want to cry. Only the

most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in this condition—

again, if they sell at all.