Andy Warhol album cover - Alexander Nevsky LP - ml 4247

$

411

Hi all,  

This LP is a rare first issue Blue Columbia label** with the earliest stampers - "1A" and "1B" - pressed before the "6-eye" style label.  And one thing that's been overlooked with all the focus on the Warhol cover art is that this is a fantastic vintage performance of a wonderful piece of music (and a very nice recording by 1949 standards).  The vinyl has quite a few light/medium marks and a couple of larger ones. Visually I'd grade it a VG-., and that is how it plays - but having just listened to it all they way through, I can say it is definitely quite enjoyable despite on and off surface noise. Bottom line - if this was my only copy, I would happily keep it and play it.

The cover is in very good condition compared to most others I have seen on Ebay, but it does have a couple of issues worth mentioning (which are visible in the pics); 1st, there is some yellowing along the spine, which is extremely common on these. 2nd is the uneveness of the blue color in the large section on the right side of the cover - which DOES NOT affect the Warhol print area. The lp label has a spot where a price sticker pulled off a small amount of the blue paper.

A couple of notes re: photos -  1. I somehow bungled uploading the photo of the label, and I'm traveling right now until Sunday 5/17 so there's not much I can do.  But it's the basic 1949/1950 Columbia dark blue label.   2. The small size photos appear a little blurry to me, which must be some Ebay problem.  Please click on the "Supersize" link and you'll see the larger images totally sharp.

Here is my Grading Key - Grading is by visual inspection only, but being a long-time record collector, I've gotten pretty good at it.  I will mention if I play graded, which I do if it seems necessary.

NM   Near Mint - no marks of any sort. The highest grade for an open LP, such as one that was played only once to tape it.
NM-  Beautiful vinyl but may show multiple spindle marks on the label or very light sleeve rubs.  A "rub" appears as a slight surface discoloration - it is not an abrasion, like a "scuff" that occurs when dirt is present.
VG++  Visual evidence of use but near zero chance of noise once cleaned properly.
VG+  Only light surface marks (such as sleeve scuffing). One or two small needle marks is allowable if they are not the type that normally sound. Overall: minor noise unlikely but not impossible.
VG   Means "Very Good", not "thrashed" like it often does on Ebay. Heavier scuffing or multiple light needle scratches.  Should play fine with normal, non-annoying, occasional clicks or ticks - no loud Pops. 
VG-  Definitely more noise than we would hope for. I won't usually offer these unless I believe they are really rare, worthwhile listening, or go along with a group.
SEALED  Means just that.  We're happy to guarantee what's inside is VG+ or better, but you can't always assume they are MINT or NM.
One caveat about play graded lp's - everyone's cartridge has different attributes. It's possible that mine (Shure V15V-mr) plays a particular lp quietly that yours does not, or vice versa.

Good luck, enjoy!

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1.   Please check the "Calculated Shipping" below for your actual costs before bidding. Especially if this item is OVER 4LBS. - the package has to go International Priority, which is expensive.

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