CIRCUS OF HORRORS SOUNDTRACK LP NEAR MINT PLUS

$

100

Circus Of Horrors, Imperial 9129, mono. Year of release is 1960. Muir Mathieson is the composer and conductor. This soundtrack has, of course, the sensational track, Look For A Star, that was made popular by four different artists who all climbed into Billboard's Hot 100 charts during the early summer of 1960 with their own version. These artists and their respective peak chart position included Garry Miles (16), Billy Vaughn (19), Garry Mills (26), and Deane Hawley (29). Garry Mills sings the version that is featured in the soundtrack along with a few other unique arrangements that appear throughout the score. Strangely, both Garry Miles and Garry Mills spelled their first names in the same unusual fashion, and both of their last names are strikingly similar. Yet, they are totally unrelated! Also strange is the fact that these four versions all debuted on the Billboard charts during the same week (June 20, 1960). The vinyl visually and play grades near mint plus! The jacket is in near mint minus condition (with strict Goldmine standards applied) due to a few very minor flaws. There are what I have seen on a number of jackets before, but I am not sure exactly just what they are. There are what look like skid marks (like from rubber) on the left front cover bordering the edge (See image below). I believe that these likely occurred in the manufacturing process. The texture of the cover edge has not been affected in any way by these marks. My auction software limits me to five images. So, rather than give you images of the back cover and both labels, I have opted to show you instead greater close ups of the few flaws that this piece has. Whenever a jacket and record are quite close to perfection, minor flaws naturally become much more consequential. Accordingly, my descriptions are geared for the collector who is an aficionado of mint records and covers that are probably of the soundtrack genre. So, here goes with my descriptions: There are a few marks on the front cover that are difficult to describe, but you may view them below. One is a "bend wrinkle" that you will see between the words "Look" and "For" where the cover explains that Look For A Star is featured. This is the kind of wrinkle often found in covers from the same era. This wrinkle could have been caused at the pressing plant or while the record was in the hands of a record distributor. This wrinkle is easily overlooked upon initial inspection because of where it is located. There is also an extremely minor wrinkle that can be seen in the upper right corner rectangle that contains the Imperial logo. It is very close to the horizontal stars that appear near the upper edge of the jacket. There are also some minor scratches that can be seen on the cover within the rectangle. The back cover which could not be depicted in order to make room for the images showing the flaws that were mentioned is virtually perfect. There is no soiling on the cover whatsoever or flaws anywhere on the jacket other than those mentioned. Even with the flaws, the cover is absolutely gorgeous, both with regard to its condition and the magnificent cover art. This is a spectacular soundtrack and one that every soundtrack collector should have in his or her collection. The record was play graded on an audiophile system employing Basis Ovation, Graham Industries, Transfiguration, Sound Applications, and Jeff Rowland electronics. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE VIEW AND READ FEEDBACK COMMENTS ON MY GRADING! Satisfaction is guaranteed on a money back basis with postage BOTH ways. I have never had a negative feedback or unresolved complaint, and I have had only two returned items from all eBay transactions since January 1998. Domestic buyer assumes responsibility for $8.00 charge for insured media mail with a delivery confirmation. Double boxing is suggested for this prize since the jacket is so nice. Double boxing consists of placing a regular size record mailer with the LP inside into a medium size (pizza type box) mailer, the kind used for shipping multiple LP's of quantities ranging from four to twelve. Any LP jacket mailed with a standard record mailer that is dropped directly on its corner from a height of four feet or more will sustain a crunched corner. The use of double boxing greatly minimizes this possibility. The additional cost for double boxing is $5, which is the actual cost to me. The cost is increased due to the addition of another even heavier box, plus the USPS charges are greater because of the added weight. Your record will be insured, but who wants to file an insurance claim? Insurance and delivery confirmations are required, though. for all domestic shipments. Payments made with these charges subtracted will not be accepted. Only professional packaging materials are used for shipping, and all items are shipped securely and with filler pads (More are used with double boxing); yet, you will not risk damage to the contents because the packaging is too difficult to undo. My packages are easy to open once you start the process, and you will not need a butcher knife or terrorist box cutter to do it with! Virtually all online payment services are available. Due to increases in fraudulent PayPal transactions and resultant chargebacks, items paid for through PayPal will be shipped to confirmed addresses only. I generally always ship on the date I receive cleared funds or within one day thereafter. Personal checks require a hold of ten business days for clearance. 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Please inquire about the additional cost. Due to the high cost of related shipping, satisfaction is guaranteed on a money back basis exclusive of shipping costs. No guarantees can be made for safe delivery, or delivery at all, for that matter, for international shipments that are not sent by registered or insured mail. If you would like registered or insured mail, please e-mail me for rates. The charges stated for international transactions include the fee for a Certificate of Mailing, which is validated and canceled by the United States Postal Service and provides proof that I have mailed an article to you. Also included is a modest charge to cover the additional time and energy required for international transactions, such as correspondence, customs declarations, translations, etc. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Italian are spoken. Shipping rates are not negotiable! I do not enjoy paying them any more than you do. 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This policy provides protection for users as well but only in the sense of someone else's attempting to steal a user's identity. Recent chargebacks due to fraudulent transactions and the lack of any seller protection by PayPal with regard to international transactions has made such a policy necessary. I generally always ship on the date I receive cleared funds or within one day thereafter. All international sales must be paid for within fourteen days of an auction's end. No exceptions!