Count Basie & Orchestra Dance Along VERY RARE UK 1960 Columbia STEREO LP EX/EX+

	£		25
	$		33

VERY RARE, Original U.K. 1960 Turquoise & Silver Columbia Records STEREO L.P. pressing of Count Basie and his Orchestra ‘Dance Along With Basie’ (Catalogue Reference: Columbia Records SCX 3333).  Originally issued on Roulette Records in the States this is the rare U.K. stereo pressing.  This features a lovely, weighty EMI pressing in what appears to be the original poly-lined sleeve (it has certainly sat in this sleeve for some time).  The matrixes read ‘RSD 129A-2’ (Side One) and ‘RSD 129B-1’ (Side Two).  The sleeve is of the more heavy-duty construction common in the late 50s (they got lighter and lighter as time went on) and features flip-backs top, bottom and spine.  The stereo demarcation is in lower case on the front of the sleeve.  You can feel the black print on the rear of the sleeve where it has been pushed into the cardboard.  This is an exceptionally fine example and came from the collection of a Basie fan who clearly recognised the rarity of this pressing and played it sparingly.  I believe you’d struggle to find a more superior overall example.

CONDITION: EX/EX+ (VINYL) / EX/EX+ (SLEEVE): Upon withdrawing the vinyl from the poly-lined sleeve it is obvious this copy has never sustained heavy play.  There are no obvious marks and the surfaces are clean and really shine.  This is a copy which hasn’t been played in a very long time.  Under an intense light only the odd, ultra-fine hairline mark is visible.  There is a suggestion of plastic ‘rash’ here and there from the poly-lined sleeve but it is very light.  If you angle the labels under an intense light some spindle ‘drags’ are visible but they are pretty damn clean and show no signs of disintegration (which can occur when they have been handled a lot which clearly isn’t the case here).  It is hard to find records of this vintage in this condition.  The sleeve is also in very fine condition with a lamination that still retains a certain ‘fresh’ appearance (i.e. this hasn’t been handled or moved around a lot).  The rear is pretty white and the sleeve is flat with the vinyl having left only the lightest of impressions in the front of the sleeve.  There is minimal wear to each corner.  The is a tiny amount of biro marking near the opening edge on the rear.  The number ’60’ has been written into the flip-back in the top right-hand corner on the rear but I believe this could be removed (it looks like pencil).  The flip-back in the bottom right-hand corner on the rear has been bent back.  This clearly  occurred a long time ago.  There is nothing else to say.  I very much doubt you’d ever find a finer overall example!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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