DECCA SET 252/253 BENJAMIN BRITTEN WAR REQUEIM MELOS ENSEMBLE LONDON SYMPHONY

	£		15
	$		18

DECCA SET 252/253

Wide band grooved label

 BENJAMIN BRITTEN WAR REQUEIM

MELOS ENSEMBLE, LONDON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

 Conductor Benjamin Britten

solo artists are Galina Vishnevskaya, Peter Pears, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau

Decca records No.SET 253/253 

Matrix Nos 

SET 252......ZAL 5927 5W  //ZAL  5928 5E 

SET 253......ZAL  5930 4E //ZAL 5929 8W  

Box Condition   VG  some corner wear but box still fully intact

Disc condition both  discs EX...........  apart from a few spindle trace marks around the centre holes, I can see no apparent surface flaws on the discs.However, there is some background in places and crackle on the lead in of side 1, these would no doubt benefit from a professional deep groove clean. Realistically priced to reflect this so please make sure you are happy with the description before buying.

Complete with booklet containing history and introduction, plus words to the production.

Combined postage is available for all multiple purchases -- please wait for invoice before making payment - this will ensure that you get the best postage rate. Thank you

Buy with confidence - check out my feedback  - over 6000 happy users

Visit my ebay shop for more similar items

GRADING GUIDELINES

Although record grading can often be a matter of personal opinion, we have to find some common ground, and so my gradings are essentially based along the guidelines laid down by the Record Collector publication. However, I will elaborate here in order that you will understand how my gradings are made.

MINT (M) A record described as Mint should be absolutely as new, just as it came out of the factory and in truth, never have been played although this is often difficult to prove or disprove. The sound should be crystal clear with no background noise or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any additional items such as posters, inner sleeve or lyric sheets should also be as new, with no creases, stains or writing(an acceptable exception would be the shopkeeper's hand-written price on the rear of the sleeve) which was common-place in the 60's and 70's, before the days of bar-coding and automated pricing machines.

NEAR MINT (NM) or (M-)This grading means that the record and/or it's cover are just marginally short of qualifying as being Mint. The vinyl may just show signs of having been played once or twice. The area around the spindle hole should be pretty much free of spindle trace marks, or at least only have the minimum of these marks. In other words, it is close to being Mint but not quite close enough to describe as such.There may be the very slightest crease marks on the sleeve, or the laminate may have lifted in small areas without detracting too much from it's overall appearance

EXCELLENT (EX)/(EX+)/(EX-) There will be indications on the vinyl surface that the record has been played, possibly several times but at the same time, it has been well cared for. There should be very little deterioration in the listening experience. The sleeve/jacket could have minor creasing and/or signs of storage wear/discoloration, particularly on the back. EX- would indicate that the record would qualify for an EX grading apart from perhaps a small initial written on the label or sleeve or a scuff on the label or other very minor defect which does not affect the overall appearance or sound quality of the item.

VERY GOOD (VG)/(VG+)/(VG-) the record will show significant signs of having been 'well played', it will show surface scratches and/or scuffs but will still play nicely without too much background noise. The cover and extras (lyric sheets etc) will also have creases or normal wear characteristics which are usually acceptable for this grade. VG+ and VG- are simply up and down variations on this grading, depending on the degree of wear and tear.

GOOD The record has obviously been played or mis-treated so much that the sound quality is not what it used to be, but may be acceptable depending on the criteria of the individual collector. It will have several surface scratches and/or other defects but may still be useful as a 'gap filler' within a collection. The sleeve will probably be creased badly, torn or repaired with sellotape. Album sleeves may have crushed or damaged spines caused by bad storage etc.

FAIR This grade may be  only just about playable, with 'skips and jumps' and not really worth having UNLESS it is exceptionally rare, in which case it could serve as a 'gap filler'. I will not list any item in this condition unless it was mega-rare and this would be shown clearly in the description, so that there is no doubt about it.