Columbia SAX 2418

first edition, Turquoise/silver label

One of the rarest records in this series

Tchaikovsky

Caprice Italien

La Scala Orchestra, Milan

Conductor  Lovro Von Matacic

issued 1961 in UK

matrix Nos. YBX 33-3  YBX 34-4

  JACKET CONDITION  EX , the front is in fine shape.Minimal wear to corners and lower edge. The back shows some grubby, age-related marks on the printed area, mainly along the opening edge (see photos).The printed area is clear and legible. The spine and spine print are solid and intact.

 Disc Condition. side 1 (EX+) surface retains bright gloss. Under normal daylight conditions there are no visible flaws, but with close inspection under a spotlamp  just a couple of feint hairlines can be seen,consistent with removing/replacng in inner sleeve, none significant and not audible.

  side 2 (NM)

 Clean labels no spindle hole wear or spindle trace marks.

A fine example of one of the rarest in this series, this one hardly ever shows for auction.

GRADING GUIDELINES

Although record gradings 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 commom-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.

Shipping charges.

Please note that my shipping costs cover the postage, plus the packing materials. All my items are carefully packed as I want them to arrive at your end in the condition I would expect if I was the buyer. I feel confident that my shipping costs are fair and reasonable, and my feedback backs this up, but please make sure you are happy with this before buying.  

For multiple purchases, I will calculate the best price/shipping method, which will probably be by another courier, as this is usually cheaper than Royal Mail,so please wait for invoice.

Please note that any records / combined purchases with a total value of £30 or more will be sent by Recorded Delivery to UK. To destinations outside the UK, items will be sent using International Signed For service. This will incur an additional charge of £5.30. I make no exceptions to this as too many items are allegedly not delivered, and Paypal charge the seller’s account for them. This is therefore for your protection and peace of mind as well as mine.  Please ensure you are happy with this before bidding.

Please wait for invoice after buying

POSTAGE RATES

Please note any large heavy parcels / orders will be sent by Courier who will provide a good service at a sensible rate. .

UNITED KINGDOM  Mainland

small surcharge applies to Channel Islands & other offshore postcodes

*****7” Singles & EP’s*****

First record FREE by economy post

Next 1, 2 or 3 records  (4 in total)   £1.50

 5- 8 records    £1.95

9 -12 records   £2.98

*****LP’s & 12” MAXIS*****

 1,  2 or 3  LP’s at fixed price  £3.98

4 or more please ask

Double LP will count as 2 records for weight purposes

EUROPE

*****7” Singles & EP’s*****

1, 2  or 3  records at fixed price  £3.98

4 - 8  records at fixed price  £6.97

Larger quantities – please ask

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*****LP’s & 12” MAXIS*****

1  LP      £5.88

2 LP’s     £7.68

3 LP’s     £8.98

4 or more please ask

Double LP will count as 2 records for weight purposes

REST OF WORLD Zone 1

*****7” Singles & EP’s***

1, 2  or 3  records at fixed price  £4.98

4 - 8  records at fixed price  £7.96

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*****LP’s & 12” MAXIS*****

1 LP  £7.98

 2 LP’s  £10.75

3 or more please ask

Double LP will count as 2 records for weight purposes

REST OF WORLD Zone 2

*****7” Singles & EP’s***

1, 2  or 3  records at fixed price  £4.98

4 - 8  records at fixed price  £7.96

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*****LP’s & 12” MAXIS*****

1 LP  £ 8.98

 2 LP’s  £ 10.95

3 or more please ask

Double LP will count as 2 records for weight purposes

Please read my payment terms

I will contact the winning bidder very soon after the auction with all necessary  payment information. I would appeciate an acknowledgement by return or as soon as possible.

Overseas bidders must pay by  Paypal  unless prior arrangments have been made to pay by an alternative method.

Items are usually posted within 48 hours after end of auction, or sooner, providing that payment has been made.

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