VELVET UNDERGROUND 2 LPS VU & GOOD ANDY WARHOL NICO BANANA ORIGINAL ALBUM VERVE

$

40

     This auction is for TWO (2) ORIGINAL VELVET UNDERGROUND ALBUMS -- "THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO" (W/BANANA COVER)...AND "VU".

     Both albums were listened to in their entirety. 

     "The Velvet Underground & Nico" album is in GOOD condition.  This is the original issue from 1967, released on the blue Verve Records label, catalogue number V6-5008...MGS-558/559...Stereo.  Pretty much this album would be good for you if you do not have it at all...or want it for display.  Although there are no skips, there is significant surface noise thoughout most of the album (tho it lets up on side two, from "Heroin" onwards).  The vinyl itself looks great.  The label on side one looks like it may have had writing on it...I can't really tell (pic #9...the bottom of the label where it says (Goldwyn-Mayer").

     The classic cover is also in GOOD condition.  This is "producer" Andy Warhol's infamous BANANA gatefold cover.  The original banana "peel" is missing from the front cover.  Intitials are on the top right corner, and there is shelf wear on the mostly white cover (pic #2).  The back cover has a few light creases (pic #6)...one in the top left corner by the catalogue number (1 1/2 inches long), and four smaller ones along the right edge.  All corners have blunted edges and have paper breaks/seam wear.  There are two small areas of seam wear along the bottom seam.  As you can see, the top edge of the front and back covers of the gatefold have wear...small splits in the paper seams or foxing (pics #4 & #5).  Finally, there is a 4 1/2 inch seam split on the top left back cover corner (pic #4).  This set comes with the original MGM inner sleeve (no seam splits, but some small tears along the top edge). 

     This album might also be worth having if you are a collector of Andy Warhol album cover art.  This is a later pressing, because you can see that actor Eric Emerson's upside down image has been airbrushed from the back cover photo (his photo was originally projected upside down underlying the image of Lou Reed...see pic #6). 

     Next up is the "VU" album (pics #10 -11 - 12).   This lp was part of the re-release of the first three Verve/MGM albums by PolyGram Records in 1984.  The album contained previously unreleased recordings.  The record and cover are both in VERY GOOD PLUS condition.  The black cover has some shelf/ring wear (mostly along the top and bottom...pic #10).  For most of the album, there is no wear at all.  For some reason, the first three songs on side one have what sounds like wear going into and out of these tracks (like static...maybe this was a radio station copy at one time, and the sound was caused by cue-burn...or it's just how the pressing is...).

     If you have any questions about these items, please feel free to email me.  Also, check out my other auctions going on NOW of various other items of interest (including a Nico album, La Dolce Vita '45, some Fugs lps, and The Beatles original MFSL boxed set).  Thanks again for looking...during these most very...very...very...troubled times...

SHIPPING RATES (all rates include cost of shipping materials):

United States (Domestic)

Media Mail (affordable, but can be slow - especially to the West Coast):

$ 4.00 1st LP, $ 1.00 each additional LP.

US Priority Mail (faster, but pricier):

$ 9.95 1st LP, $ 2.00 each additional

INTERNATIONAL RATES

Canada (First Class International) ***

$ 11.95 1st LP, $ 2.00 each additional

Worldwide (First Class International) ***

$ 19.95 1st LP, $ 3.00 each additional (up to 4 total).

For more than four albums, Priority Mail International (roughly double the 1st Class Costs) or insurance, contact me for specifics.

*** NOTE: SHIPPING UPGRADES ARE REQUIRED ON ALL INTERNATIONAL PACKAGES OVER $ 100 (Such as Priority with Tracking, Registered, etc. Rates and services vary by country).

Cost of postage includes $ 1.75 for shipping materials (including cardboard mailer and polysleeve).  I separate the vinyl from the cover when shipping all opened LP's.

Record Grading:

MINT (10) Perfect! Still sealed albums are presumed MINT, but covers may not be. I will not grade any opened album as "mint", since there's obviously been some handling.

NEAR MINT (9.5) ---- Close, but one or two tiny flaws that do not impact play. Vinyl may have a barely visible scuff mark, but no scratches. Label is bright, clean and unmarked. Covers close to perfect with very minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.

EXCELLENT (9) ----Disc plays near-perfect. There could be scuffs or a hairline scratch or two that does not impact play. Vinyl is bright and shiny. Label is clean and unmarked. Cover may have some slight corner creases or minor ringwear.

VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS (8) ---- Record handled and played occasionally, but very carefully. Very minor scratches and/or scuffs that should have little impact on the sound quality, or minor label imperfection---noted, but otherwise clean. VERY GOOD PLUS PLUS records may have some light surface noise during quiet passages or between tracks. Covers: one or two minor wear issues such as writing on cover, corner creases, some ringwear, minor staining, etc. (All noted).

VERY GOOD PLUS (7) ----The record has been cared for, but has some minor flaws. Light scratches and/or marks/scuffs that won't make a big impact. Light surface noise here and there, but nothing to overwhelm the listening experience. Covers may have a few minor defects (duly noted). Those who are looking for pristine-only might not be pleased, but most music fans would be happy to have a collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD (6)---- The record has been played often with some care, but also a little neglect. Record displays visible surface wear---scratches or scuffs that will cause some minor to perhaps occasionally moderate surface noise. Vinyl could be "dull" at this point and not "shiny', or still perhaps shiny, but then a little more scratched-up. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. Most music fans would be happy to have a highly collectible album in this condition.

VERY GOOD MINUS (5) ---- Well-played with little luster and moderate surface noise, but skip-free. Lots of scratches/scuffs or fewer but more deeper marks. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork---seam splits, significant ring wear, tears, cuts, taping (all noted). I will only sell RARE "VERY GOOD MINUS" records.

GOOD (4) --- Pretty beat-up with lots of scratches, but not dead yet. Record should still appear not to skip, though it's possible it can. Surface noise is moderate to occasionally heavy. Seam splits are usually a bigger issue around this level with the records better off in a plastic sleeve. I only sell VERY RARE "GOOD" records. They are certainly "good enough" until another copy comes along.

GOOD MINUS (3) --- Even more beat with tons of scratches and LOTS of surface noise. Skips are possible, though I wouldn't intentionally sell a record that does. Given the right moment, fans could probably enjoy a GOOD MINUS record, but might also be irritated by it at times. I will only sell VERY VERY RARE "GOOD MINUS" records. Covers are hanging together by a thread (seams shot) but not intentionally defaced.

FAIR (2) ----FAIR records appear and sound lousy (significant surface noise, horrific scratches). I won't sell these, unless I find something that is SO INCREDIBLY RARE. Expect skipping or a very unpleasant listen. Covers may be defaced, seamless, stained beyond belief.

POOR (1) ---- Unlistenable and undisplayable.

3-3-18