Decca SAX 2473- 474 MAHLER 2 KLEMPERER Phiharmonia Turquoise Silver LPs VGC+

	£		321
	$		425

SAX 2473/4 Mahler Symphony No. 2 'Resurrection' Klemperer Turquoise and Silver 2 LP set. rare Stereo Original , made in Great Britain

Condition

SAX 2473 Cover: VGC++, record side 1: VGC+, side 2: VGC+ 
SAX 2474 Cover: VGC++ record: side 3 VGC+ side 4 VGC+

This original two record set are in VERY GOOD PLUS condition (see below for my detailed vinyl grading guide). 

The discs have are in generally excellent condition with a good vinyl lustre; they have not been overplayed and there is no visual evidence of groove wear.

This description is based on close visual inspection only in good natural sunlight, double-checked also in a 60 watt spotlight. I don't have a record player so cannot play them, but they look to be in very good plus condition.

These two records are from a collection (assembled c. 1960-75 in Cardiff) of a classical record enthusiast who has recently died, He was clearly very careful with his records and used them with great care. They don’t seem to have been played very often, and certainly not for many years, so the vinyl has a great deal of playing life left in it. The inner sleeves are soft plastic lined – as you will know this reduces dust.

I estimate that this set is from 1963-4 but I am not an expert at dating via matrix numbers:

      Matrix (Label side 1): YAX.903 

·         Matrix  (Label side 2): YAX.904

·         Matrix (Label side 3): YAX.905

·         Matrix (Label side 4): YAX.906

·         Matrix / Runout (Runout stamp side 1): YAX.903-1

·         Matrix / Runout (Runout stamp side 2):YAX.904-9

·         Matrix / Runout (Runout stamp side 3):YAX.905-2

·         Matrix / Runout (Runout stamp side 4):YAX.906-2

The two record set will be posted carefully wrapped in hard cardboard and posted via a tracked and insured Royal Mail Service.

My Vinyl and Sleeve Condition Guide

Mint (M)  

Absolutely perfect in every way. Certainly never been played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, If at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-)  

A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. 

The record should show no obvious signs of wear.

An LP cover should have no creases, folds, seam splits or other noticeable similar defects. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same should be true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves and the like. 

Basically, an LP in near mint condition looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap. 

Near Mint is the highest price listed in all Goldmine price guides.

Very Good Plus (VG+) 

A record in generally excellent condition with a good lustre, plenty of playing life left, but a few very very minor issues.

A Very Good Plus record will show some SLIGHT signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took very good care of it. 

Record surfaces may show some SLIGHT signs of wear eg it may have some VERY LIGHT scuffs or very light scratches in some areas only (ie not all over) that don't affect one's listening experiences.

The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable. The center hole will not have been misshapen by repeated play. 

Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turned up corners, or a slight seam split. An LP cover may have slight signs of wear also.

In general, if not for a couple things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG)  

Many of the defects found in a VG+ record will be more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise will be evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during a song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as with light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound. 

Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them. 

Good (G), Good Plus (G+) 

Good does not mean Bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear (on a styrene record, the groove will be starting to turn white). 

A cover or sleeve will have seam splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. 

It is a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But, if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it...but keep looking to upgrade.

Poor (P), Fair (F) 

The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and writing. The LP cover barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, crinkled, and written upon. 

Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few pence each.