Mercury Rev "Deserter's Songs" LP M-

	CHF		27
	$		33

 Here now and in the near future I will sell parts of my personal record collection. I've been an avid record collector for over 30 years now and most of my sales are rare items nowadays, lots of them 1st press and generally in the VG+ to the M- range.

I always handled my LPs with utmost care. They come from a non smoker and pet free household and have been played on top notch audio gear only, on a Rega Planar 7 and on a High End Thorens TD124 Mk II, both equipped with Ortofon cartridges. They've been accurately stored in a dry cool place hidden from direct sunlight.

My gradings are very conservative and I strictly follow the Goldmine Grading Standard. I'll never grade a record "New/Mint" unless factory sealed.
Used LPs start with a "M-" go to "VG+" and down to "VG". I do not offer LPs below "VG".
Sometimes I will add a "strong" . This means the quality lies between two Goldmine Gradings, i.ex. a "strong VG+" is a grading between "VG+" and "M-".
A "strong M-" describes a LP that is indeed not sealed but otherwise flawless.

If you are unhappy with your purchase somehow or other you return the goods and will be fully refunded.

Up for auction comes 1 LP
Mercury Rev "Deserter's Songs"

V2 Records VVR1002771   USA 1996 

NEAR MINT (M-)

"Deserter's Songs" was the fourth studio album of the American rock band Mercury Rev, released in late September 1998. British music magazine NME named "Deserter's Songs" Album Of The Year for 1998. Limited edition copies of the album came in a brown cardboard envelope-like package, with a stamp on the cover postmarked with the release date, as well as two art postcards.

The success of the album was a pleasant surprise for the band. After the commercial failure of "See You On The Other Side", which Donahue considered to be the band's best album, they decided to make one more record entirely for themselves, ignoring commercial influences, and expecting to split up shortly afterward. Surprisingly, Deserter's Songs was their most successful album, and made them big celebrities in the UK and Europe, also making a smaller mark in the US.

The hidden track at the end of "Delta Sun Bottleneck Stomp" is played on the Tettix Wave Accumulator, an instrument built by Donahue and Grasshopper. Reportedly, two versions of the instrument exist--one for recording that takes up half of Grasshopper's basement, and a smaller one for the road. As it states on the cover "Original master recorded on 35/mm film", the recording seems to be a speciality.

Vinyl comes in perfect shape. There are only a few fine hairlines visible under strong light but that's just all. Labels are perfect, no spindle marks/wear is visible. There's still some vinyl residue in the spindle hole, a sure sign of very few playings.

Inner Sleeve is almost perfect as there's no traces of wear or creasing, corners are sharp. Indeed, a split of about 4cm on the bottom blurs the otherwise immaculate appearance of the Inner Sleeve.

Cover is also in perfect shape. No creases, no warp, nothing, spine is perfect and corners sharp. On top and bottom seam there are very few signs of little shelf wear but this is almost neglectable. So, all in all, this is a pristine immaculate copy of one of the greatest releases of the mid 90's.

Here you have one of the rare chances to bid on a very very rare gem. Why not surprise your sweetest sweetheart with something very special something that's not so common like all those last few Christmas Presents in last few years? -  Expensive perfume, a fancy leather bag or some ... (insert your favourite fashion label here) stuff are gifts for common people, aren't they?

This exclusivity is a different thing! -  Not only precious but after all it is inventive and very personal. The lucky presentee won't forget this Christmas never.

LPs are generally graded visually under a very strong spotlight from a LedLenser P7 flashlight as well as parts by listening to on my TD-124 MkII / RMG-309i / SPU classic system.

I strictly follow the Goldmine Grading System where "Mint" is reserved for factory sealed records.

Pictures are an integral element of item description.




Goldmine Grading

How to Grade

Look at everything about a record. It's playing surface, it's label, it's edges...under a strong light. Then based on your overall impression give it a grade based on the following criteria:



    •    Mint (M)   Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed.(More on still sealed under "Other Considerations"). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.


    •    Near Mint (NM or M-)   A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record should show no obvious signs of wear. A 45 RPM or EP sleeve should have no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling. An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. 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. Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides. Anything that exceeds this grade, in the opinion of both buyer and seller, is worth significantly more than the highest Goldmine book value.


    •    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 signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experiences. 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 wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount. In general, if not for a couple 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.


    •    Very Good (VG)   Generally worth 25 percent of 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 with 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. Goldmine price guides with more than one price will list Very Good as the lowest price. This, not the Near Mint price, should be your guide when determining how much a record is worth, as that is the price a dealer will normally pay you for a Near Mint record.


    •    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 cover 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. It is 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 cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon. Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

If there are any questions don't hesitate to contact me.

Happy and successful bidding!

I count myself lucky to invite you to visit my other auctions.

Terms of Trade


If you can't agree with one of the conditions listed below, please do not bid. - I can not and will not do any exceptions.

 - bidders with poor feedback record will be cancelled without explanation
 - bidders with low feedback record (15 feedbacks or less), please contact first by mail before bidding
 - paypal only
 - payment due within 48 hours/2 working days, deal will be cancelled after expiration
 - if desired, parcel can be sent registered at bidders cost (add CHF 9.00)
 - items are sent in sturdy professional cardboard parcel with cardboard stiffener

 


I combine shipping. If you purchase more than one item please do not pay before having received an apropriate invoice.

Whenever possible I ship in the same package at the same price as long as the weight will not exceed 500 g. Increments are 500g, 1kg, 2kg. Keep in mind a LP may variy between 110 and 200 grams. A parcel will carry 3 or 4 LPs max.







Return Policy

I AM CONFIDENT ALL OUR ITEMS ARE AS DESCRIBED. HOWEVER IN THE UNUSUAL EVENT THE ITEM ARRIVES FAULTY / NOT AS DESCRIBED A FULL REFUND IS GIVEN ON RECEIPT OF THE RETURNED ITEM. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND AND NO LONGER REQUIRE THE ITEM YOU WILL RECEIVE A REFUND LESS ALL POSTAGE AND ANY OTHER INCURRED COST. REFUNDS CAN ONLY BE GIVEN ON RECEIPT OF RETURNED GOODS. GOODS MUST BE IN THE SAME CONDITION AS SUPPLIED.

Customer's satisfaction is my primary goal.
Please contact me first with any problem that might occur.
I am convinced to find a solution that will suit your needs as well as mine.