SXL 2060 Mendelssohn Midsummer Nights Dream DECCA Wbg

	£		123
	$		163

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL 

MENDELSSOHN: A Midsummer Night's Dream
PETER MAAG conducting The London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
DECCA SXL 2060 ( Wide Band grooved with "Original Recording By.." text in 10'o clock position;  pressed in England)

Matrix Numbers:

ZAL 3559 6D/ZAL 3560 5E

BACKGROUND :

Considered by some to be one of the finer SXL 2 series, this is on the wide band grooved English Decca with the "Original Recording By" text.

GRADING RESULTS:

I would rate the cover as VG++ only. Though there  are no tears, writings or seam splits, there seems to be some fading on the front cover which also has a stubborn remnant of a sticker on the top left hand corner which I had not attempted to remove lest I damage the cover. The back has a 1 inch horizontal tear on the entry side about halfway down but which has been mended but other than that , it is generally very clean. The glue on the flipback is still strong and intact.

The vinyl looks Near Mint on Side 1 and Excellent on Side 2 on visual inspection. There are no surface scratches visible and some slight spindle marks. There is a very slight "mount" which afflicts early Decca pressings especially in this part of the world at the 3rd track on both side 1 and 2 but which did not affect play. There is a 1.5 inch long hairline surface scratch in the beginning of Side 2 but it did not get into the grooves and did not affect play. Tracking at 1.7g on my Naim Aro arm and Troika cartridge, on Side 1 there are some intermittent  soft clicks. Side 2 has some intermittent soft clicks as well as a slight tick about 2 minutes into play but other than that, nothing serious. I would rate playing on both sides as a strong VG++ to Excellent. There was no distortion whatsoever.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine and/or VPI 17.5 using the US made Walker Audio stage cleaning solution.

Playback Equipment: Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Linn Troika cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers. For 45s I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Lyra Halycon SL.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable. 

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears.

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays. One buyer has even likened my packing as “ Fort Knox”! Shipping costs in pounds are:

UK/USA/Europe                           8.50 pounds

Hongkong, Taiwan South Korea 7.0 pounds

Australia China Japan                 8 pounds

Postage is via Airmail, "signed for" delivery. I prefer signed for delivery as it allows me to "chase" on my side if buyers do not get their items within 2 weeks though so far this has only happened with Italy.

 I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice) 

·       International Money Orders