Ray Charles Atlantic 8063&8064 ABC 410&435 "Story" & "Modern C&W" Essential

$

20

Vitally important recordings from the early career of Ray Charles, leaving an indelible mark on popular music and blazing the way for the soul explosion of the 60's.  
First is an early career retrospective "The Ray Charles Story Volume One" (Atlantic 8063).  Vinyl grades a strong VG+: some clouding that does not affect playback; a few superfine hairlines that cannot be felt; excellent gloss; very nice copy!  Purple and red Atlantic labels grade NM.  Outer sleeve grades VG++: small liquid stain on rear cover; a couple of small edge chips; no splits; strong spine; graphics are clear and bright; high gloss cover.  
Next is the second volume of the career retrospective "The Ray Charles Story Volume Two" (Atlantic 8064).  Vinyl grades a solid VG+: one small scuff that does not affect playback; some light clouding that does not affect playback; a few superfine hairlines that cannot be felt; excellent gloss, nice copy!  Purple and red Atlantic labels grade VG++: a couple of small chips, bright clear logo and graphics.  Includes original inner sleeve.  Outer sleeve grades VG+: light rubbing wear; liquid staining on right side of rear cover; a couple of spots of light soiling on rear cover; corner ding; no splits; strong spine; graphics are clear and bright; high gloss cover.
Moving on to Charles' landmark release "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" (ABC-Paramount 410).  1967 reissue.  Vinyl grades VG++: a light hairline here and there that cannot be felt; a little clouding; excellent gloss; super player.  Labels grade VG++: rough spot from original pressing; tiny chipping around inside groove; clear and bright logo and graphics.  Includes original inner sleeve.  Outer sleeve grades VG+: rubbing wear; small tear spot on top seam; minor edge wear; bubbling spot along edge of rear slick; no splits; solid spine; photos and graphics are clear and bright.
Finally, the second volume of "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music (ABC-Paramount 435).  Vinyl grades a strong VG: there are multiple hairlines but nothing that can be felt; very good gloss; plays VG+.  Original release "rainbow twist" labels grade NM.  Outer sleeve grades VG: rear slick is pulled and torn in multiple places along right edge (see photo); rubbing wear; rear cover soiling; writing on rear; some edge wear; banged corner; no splits; solid spine; graphics and photos are in good shape; high gloss cover.
Essential music.  Set delivered free in the U.S.!   
Free domestic US standard shipping!  See below for cost of US Priority Shipping.  
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl, no shipping in a used Tide box or a retrofitted USPS box!  I almost always ship within two days, usually the next day, and will have a notice in my store on the rare occasions I am not able to meet that timeframe.  Shipping cost includes the cost of the materials.  And, of course I will combine shipping.  I make no money on shipping, what you pay is what I pay! 
I am happy to ship Internationally.  Note that International rates depend upon the value of the item and where you live.  Please disregard eBay's automatic shipping calculator for International shipping, wait for my invoice!  Anything under $125 going anywhere will go by First Class International, the least expensive US mailing service.  Anything over $125 going anywhere except packages going to Japan, UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany (all of these listed countries continue to qualify for the less expensive First Class International shipping) requires Priority International with tracking.  Priority International is the least expensive US International shipping option that provides insurance and full tracking.  I prefer not to organize it this way, but due to concerns and problems with certain postal services, I need to protect myself on higher priced items.  Finally, anything over $250 going anywhere requires Priority International with tracking unless prior arrangements are made (and I will make exceptions for overseas customers who have successfully purchased from me previously, but this must be agreed in advance).  Again, this is for my protection since I have responsibility for the packages until they're delivered to you.  For all packages sent by Priority International,  I pay the cost of insurance and do not charge for the packing materials, to help defray the shipping cost.  Also be aware that USPS regulations require the value be written on Priority International custom forms in order to qualify the insurance.  On the bright side, packages do get their quicker.  I am certainly interested in minimizing shipping related costs, since I realize they are high, so don't hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do this before bidding or buying):

• PRIORITY 12" DOMESTIC: 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
• FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL 12": (Canada $5 less) 1 12" for $21.50; 2 for $24; 3 for $28; 4 for $37, 5-9 for $52.  
• PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL:  Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about $45.  I cannot give a precise cost here since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close.    

Quotes provided for others quantities or mixed shipments. 

• Mint (M) (only if sealed).  Not used for 7".
• Near Mint (NM): Very little evidence of use, glossy surface, minimal vinyl marking; labels are clean and crisp with no writing, ring wear or significant spindle marking; jackets are clean and square, no writing, no splits, no ring wear.
• Very Good+ (VG+) : Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface has light scuffs or very light scratches (not feelable) that will not significantly degrade the sound; labels are clean with only minor ring wear, any writing or sticker/residue is discrete, only slight soiling or dirtiness, drill hole OK if label otherwise clean; jackets are clean with no more than light ring wear, minor corner dings, if writing on the cover it is discrete, no more than one slight seam split, light creasing, cutout hole or corner only if rest of jacket is free of defects - multiple flaws of the types described will drop grade.
• Very Good (VG): Vinyl shows significant use with more scuffing or light scratches but will play through without skipping, may be slight warping but will play through (without having to tape a penny to the tonearm like the old days!) and nothing that will cause a significant bobbing of the tone arm, will have surface noise particularly at intro and in soft passages, diminished or irregular gloss; labels may have significant ring wear, more prominent writing or stickers/residue, drill hole, more soiling or dirtiness; sleeves may have multiple splits, writing, creasing, soiling or dirtiness, drill holes or cut corners, and/or ring wear.  This is a common grade for older 45's - they were often stored outside of the sleeve which lead to multiple light surface hairline scratches which have not caused significant damage to the vinyl grooves - they will still afford an enjoyable listen.
• Good (G): Infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a significantly higher grade.  Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, poor gloss, significant noise on playing but should play through; labels may have glaring writing, significant ring wear, extensive sticker residue, dirtiness; sleeves may have substantial ring wear, extensive seam splitting, taping, prominent writing.