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MARK’S RARE RECORDS

• Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A, etched): G8OP-0335-1D
• Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B, etched): G8OP-0336-1D

More Images

Don Shirley ?– Orpheus In The Underworld

Tracklist

Credits

• Artwork – Don Shirley
• Photography By – Maurice Seymour
• Piano – Don Shirley
• Translated By – Donald W. Shirley*, Manuel Komroff

Notes

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout (Runout Side A, etched): G8OP-0335-1D
• Matrix / Runout (Runout Side B, etched): G8OP-0336-1D

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  MARK’S RARE RECORDS

   

  BEFORE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT what a record is worth, you need to grade

  its vinyl, sleeves and labels. Play grading can be a defi nite advantage for a record that

  looks much worse than it sounds. When you’re visually grading records, use a direct

  light, such as a 100-watt desk lamp, as less direct lighting can hide defects.

  Think like the buyer as you set your grades. If you’re on the fence, go with the

  lower conservative grade under consideration. Records and covers always seem to

  look better when you’re grading them to sell to someone else than when you’re on the

  other side of the table, inspecting a record for purchase. And, if you have a Still Sealed

  record, subject it to these same grading standards, short of breaking the seal.

  MINT (M): Absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but

  rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless

  more than one person agrees the item truly is in this

  condition. There is no hard-and-fast percentage

  of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best

  negotiated between buyer and seller.

  • Overall Appearance: Looks as if it

  just came off the manufacturing line.

  • Record: No scuffs or scratches.

  • Labels: No writing, stickers or spindle

  marks. Labels are perfectly placed.

  • Cover/Sleeve: No blotches, stains,

  discoloration, stickers, ring wear, dinged corners,

  sleeve splits or writing.

  NEAR MINT (NM) OR MINT

  MINUS (M-): It’s estimated that no

  more than 2 to 4 percent of all records

  remaining from the 1950s and 1960s are

  truly Near Mint. Many dealers won’t use

  a grade higher than this, implying that

  no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

  • Overall Appearance: Looks as

  if it were opened for the fi rst time. Includes

  all original pieces (inner sleeve, lyric sheets,

  inserts, cover, record, etc.).

  • Record: Shiny surface, free of visible defects.

  No surface noise at playback. Records can retain NM condition after

  many plays provided the record has been played on a properly

  equipped turntable and has been cared for properly.

  • Labels: Properly pressed and centered on the record. Free of writing, stickers,

  spindle marks, blemishes or other markings.

  • Cover/Sleeve: Free of creases, ring wear and seam splits. Cut-out markings

  are unacceptable. Picture sleeves look as if no record was ever housed inside. Hint:

  If you remove a 45 from its picture sleeve and store it separately, you will reduce the

  potential for damage to the sleeve.

  VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+) OR EXCELLENT (E): Except for a few

  minor condition issues, these records would be Near Mint. Most collectors who want

  to play their records will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it is toward the high

  end of the grade, sometimes called VG++ or E+.

  • Overall Appearance: Shows slight signs of wear.

  • Record: May have light scuffs or very light scratches that don’t affect the

  listening experience, or slight warps that don’t affect the sound. Expect minor signs of

  handling, such as telltale marks around the center hole (but the hole is not misshapen).

  Light ring wear or discoloration may be present, but barely noticeable.

  • Labels: Free of writing, stickers or major blemishes.

  • Cover/Sleeve: Outer cover may show some minor seam wear or a split less

  than one inch long along the bottom, which is the most vulnerable location. A cut-out

  marking may be present. Picture sleeves may show some slight creasing where it is

  obvious the record once resided (or still does reside). May show minor seam wear or a

  split less than 1 inch long along the bottom

  VERY GOOD (VG): VG records have more obvious fl aws than records in better

  condition. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of

  their NM counterparts — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because

  most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record

  or sleeve will be worth the money. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG

  records in them and not think twice. They remain a fi ne listening experience, just not

  the same as if it were in better shape.

  • Overall Appearance: Shows signs of wear and handling, including visible

  groove wear, audible scratches and surface noise, ring wear and seam splits.

  • Record: Lacks the original glossy fi nish. Groove wear is evident on sight, and

  light scratches are deep enough to feel with a fi ngernail. When played, a VG record

  has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially during a

  song’s intro and ending, but the noise won’t overpower the music otherwise.

  • Labels: May have minor writing, tape or a sticker.

  • Cover/Sleeve: Expect obvious signs of human handling and

  normal wear. Ring wear is expected in the middle or along the edges of

  the cover where the labels or edges of a record would

  rest. Seam splits may appear on all three sides,

  but they won’t be obvious. Writing or a price

  tag may be present. The cover may be dull

  or discolored, have bent corners, stains or

  other problems. If the record has more than

  two of these problems, reduce its grade.

  VERY GOOD MINUS (VG–),

  GOOD PLUS (G+) OR GOOD

  (G): Good does not necessarily mean bad! A

  true G to VG- record still plays through without

  skipping, so it can serve as fi ller until something

  better comes along. If the record is common,

  you may want to pass it up in this condition. If

  you’ve sought for a long time, get it cheap and

  upgrade later. And sellers? Don’t expect big

  profi ts for records in these grades: They bring 10

  to 15 percent of the Near Mint value at most.

  • Overall Appearance: Shows

  considerable signs of handling, including groove

  wear, ring wear, seam splits and damaged labels

  or covers.

  • Record: The surface sheen is almost gone, but the record plays through

  without skipping. Signifi cant surface noise and groove wear..

  • Labels: Worn, possible stains, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by

  someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably.

  • Cover/Sleeve: Shows ring wear to the point of distraction, has obvious seam

  splits and may have even heavier writing, such as huge radio station letters (or the

  former owner’s name) written across the front to deter theft. Expect dinged and dogeared

  edges.

  FAIR (F) OR POOR (P): These records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint

  value — if they go at all. More likely, these records will end up going in the trash, or

  having their covers, labels or discs turned into kitschy craft items like clocks, journals,

  purses, jewelry, bowls or coasters.

  • Overall Appearance: Beat, trashed and dull. Records may lack sleeves or

  covers (or vice versa). You may want to call a CSI unit to identify “the victim.”

  • Record: Expect the vinyl to be cracked, horrifi cally scratched and/or impossibly

  warped. The record will skip and repeat when you attempt to play it.

  • Labels: Stains, tears, stickers and damage are the least of your problems; the

  label may be missing some sections altogether.

  • Cover/Sleeve: So heavily damaged that you almost want to cry. Only the

  most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in this condition—

  again, if they sell at all.