PRINCE SIGN O THE TIMES IN SHRINK WRAP W/ STICKER NM SAWCUT 2-LP VINYL +FAN CARD

$

59

     This auction is for the album by PRINCE -- SIGN O THE TIMES.   It was released in 1987 on the Warner Brothers Record label, catalogue number 9 25577-1. 

     The cover is in VG++ condition...and that's only because there is a half inch saw cut on the bottom right corner (which also goes through both inner sleeves...picture #3).  But the cover OVERALL is really in near mint condition...AND it is still in the shrink wrap!  The huge title sticker is attached to the front of the cover (pic #2).  There is a line of browning on the very edge of the INSIDE of the open edge of the cover (pic #9, if you can make it out).

     As stated, that saw cut goes through both color inner sleeves.  There are NO seam splits on the inner sleeves.  This also comes with an original orange colored Prince fan club postcard, that measures 6 X 4 inches (pics #5 & #6).  This is in mint condition.

     Both albums and their labels are in near mint conditon.  Back in the last two decades of the century, I was buying so much music that the most I could ever listen to one lp would be three times before it got filed away on the rack.  I did skip around and play-test the beginning of the songs, and there is no wear to be heard...  Some very very minor paper scuffing on side one that does not affect play (I listened).

     This "specially-priced two record set" spawned three top ten singles for Prince;  Sign O The Times,  U Got The Look (with Sheena Easton), and I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man.  The single If I Was Your Girlfriend only hit #67 in the USA.   You may want to search out Sheena Easton's 1985 song "Sugar Walls" (written by Prince...and a damn great song!) as a nice companion piece to her song on this album.

     If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to email me.  ALSO, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including some other Prince items).  Thanks again for looking...during these most troubled times...

SHIPPING RATES (all rates include cost of shipping materials):

United States (Domestic)

Media Mail (affordable, but can be slow - especially to the West Coast):

$ 4.00 1st LP, $ 1.00 each additional LP.

US Priority Mail (faster, but pricier):

$ 9.95 1st LP, $ 2.00 each additional

INTERNATIONAL RATES

Canada (First Class International) ***

$ 12.95 1st LP, $ 3.00 each additional

Worldwide (First Class International) ***

$ 22.50 1st LP, $ 4.00 each additional (up to 4 total).

For more than four albums, Priority Mail International (roughly double the 1st Class Costs) or insurance, contact me for specifics.

*** NOTE: SHIPPING UPGRADES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES OVER $ 100 (Such as Priority with Tracking, Registered, etc. Rates and services vary by country).

Cost of postage includes $ 1.75 for shipping materials (including cardboard mailer and polysleeve).  I separate the vinyl from the cover when shipping all opened LP's.

Record Grading:

MINT (10) Perfect! Still sealed albums are presumed MINT, but covers may not be. I will not grade any opened album as "mint", since there's obviously been some handling.

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Cover may have some slight corner creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs that should have little impact on the sound quality, or minor label imperfection---noted, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records may have some light surface noise during quiet passages or between tracks. Covers: one or two minor wear issues such as writing on cover, corner creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ----The record has been cared for, but has some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Covers may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratched-up. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and moderate surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deeper marks. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE "VERY GOOD MINUS" records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty beat-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. Record should still appear not to skip, though it's possible it can. Surface noise is moderate to occasionally heavy. Seam splits are usually a bigger issue around this level with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE "GOOD" records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Given the right moment, fans could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE "GOOD MINUS" records. Covers are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Covers may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) ---- Unlistenable and undisplayable.

4-24-16