Monkees - Birds, Bees, and Monkees; Original Colgems Mono Beyond Rare

$

1,500

Hello, I am a long-time eBay seller - since October, 1999.  I have a 100% feedback record, so bid and buy with confidence.  I have collected records for many years and every record I offer comes from my personal collection.  The grade I specify for the vinyl is based upon a playback as well as a visual inspection.  The grade I assign for the cover and inserts (if any) is based upon a close visual inspection.  My grading standards are conservative - I believe that it does no one any good to inflate the grade of the record only to have the buyer be disappointed upon receipt and wish to return it.  I offer a full, no-questions-asked return policy on every record I sell except in very rare circumstances.  In those rare cases, I clearly state the condition of the record and explain why I cannot accept a return on it.
For sale today is a beautiful copy of The Birds, The Bees and The Monkees  by the Monkees issued on the Colgems label in 1968.  What makes this album very special, and very rare, is the fact that it was issued in the Mono format (COM 109)!  By 1968, all major labels had just about entirely phased out commercially releasing albums in Mono.  Thus, all Monos issued in 1968 in Mono are exceedingly rare (examples include: this Monkees album and Axis Bold as Love by Jimi Hendrix).  Further, this album was produced by Colgems as a legitimate Mono issue, not the so-called "fold-down fake" monos issued by most other countries (i.e. Canada and England).  In my 20+ years on eBay, I have only seen the original US Colgems Birds, Bees and Monkees in Mono offered for sale a grand total of three times!  The last one that sold went for $1500.  I am offering my copy for the same amount, but will consider all reasonable offers.
As to condition, I visually and play-grade the vinyl as Near Mint.  Visually, the grooves are sharp and clear but I note there are some wispy lines incurred by withdrawing and inserting the album from its sleeve.  Nothing major, only on the vinyl's surface.  The labels are also in Near Mint condition.  I have played the album one time, right after I purchased it, and it plays in great, Near Mint shape.
The outer cover is VG++.  Colors are vibrant.  Corners are sharp, all seams are full and complete.  Only issues are as follows: (1) on the front cover, upper left corner, there is a small grayish circle mark which is probably the result of removal of the original price sticker (see photo).  The mark is smooth, no glue or residue; (2) just the very beginning of ring-wear on the lower part of the front cover (see photo); and (3) very small "push" marks on front cover near the top seam.  The album does not come with its original inner sleeve but since I purchased it years ago, I have carefully stored the vinyl in a separate archival inner sleeve, which I then placed in a separate white outer cardboard cover, to best preserve both the vinyl and the original outer cover from any further wear and tear.
I will send the item via priority US Mail to best ensure it arrives in the same great shape as when I sent it.
 A great item, thanks for looking.