The Monkees Self-Titled ORIG UK RCA Red Spot STEREO LP Rare in this condition EX

	£		15
	$		20

RARE (in this kind of condition), Original U.K. 1967 RCA ‘Red Spot’ STEREO L.P. pressing of The Monkee’s ‘The Monkees’ (Catalogue Reference: RCA Victor SF-7844).  The matrixes here read ‘TZRS-4689-IK’ (Side One) and ‘TZRS-4690-IK’ (Side Two).  I would guess this is an early pressing at the very least featuring a period, high quality DECCA pressing with ‘grooved’ labels, stored insider the original poly-lined sleeve which is itself held inside a thin and flimsy (typical of Decca in this period), front-laminated card sleeve.  I say ‘rare’ because this is a stereo issue although the monos might be rarer with RCA(?).  Still it is rare to find this record in this condition.  While this copy has seen some play it has been very well-looked after.  This record is usually wrecked and yet here we have what I regard to be a superior (but not perfect) example.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (SLEEVE): I grade all my items under an intense light and to be frank the only markings here require an intense light to be seen.  There are a relative volume of the finest, wispiest hairline markings with their being perhaps more prevalent on Side Two as opposed to Side One however, the surfaces really shine and the bulk of the playing surface is mark-free.  There is a small suggestion of groove-wear on the second track on Side Two.  There is a tiny amount of spindle-marking around the spindle-hole but otherwise the labels (which are prone to showing-up greasy fingerprints) are nice.  Considering how cheap and flimsy these Decca sleeves are this has survived in remarkable condition and only displays minor flaws.  There is a sticker on the rear of the sleeve which is pretty obvious.  As this type of sleeve requires the spine to be ‘pinched’ there is a small amount of laminate bubbling along the spine on the front.  Aside from a couple of brown spots and a little staining in the top left-hand corner the rear of the sleeve is still pretty white.  The vinyl has left a slight impression in the lamination on the front of the sleeve but the sleeve is remarkably flat.  Again, it is incredibly hard to find these pop LPs in this kind of condition.  A lovely example!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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