Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight

$

51

Miles Davis Quintet
'Round About Midnight
Columbia CL 949 (US pressing, mono, 1957)

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Condition/Jacket: Overall an amazing EX but has a light, thin, superficial, clean razor cut down the middle. It does not go through the glued-on cover and the color remains consistent. My guess is that it was lightly grazed by a box-cutter when the shipping box was opened in the record store. Strong gloss, white-whites with no discoloration, no ringwear, superb spine and edges

Condition/Vinyl: Overall a very strong EX, close to NM. Unbelievable gloss, 95% of it play-grades so clean you'd think it had never been played. However: the first 45 seconds or so of side one/track one has surface noise that is not due to a visible source. It is clearly a pressing defect. The noise is is not overpowering and the record plays through cleanly, but it is prominent.

The rest of the record is near-archival quality: the label is in superb condition with near-new gloss, one light spindle mark, unbelievably clean. 1A/1A stampers. Amazing soundstage and presence. One of those Columbia pressings where you really hear the difference between a low stamper number and a higher number.

Without the surface noise on track one, this would be the copy you have been waiting for.

Notes: Here's my theory about this copy: I believe it was purchased shortly after the release, and then returned to the store as defective due to the surface noise on track one. Identified as a factory defect, it may have not been played again. This would seem to explain the overall pristine condition of the record.

I have provided a starting price that reflects the condition issues cited above and I have tried to provide a realistic description here. Again, this is an incredible copy with one flaw in the vinyl and a minor issue with the cover.

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Grading, Handling, and Packing
I grade conservatively and play-grade most titles unless sealed or if play-grading would violate a mint-condition record. LPs are shipped as follows: (A) in proper record boxes with cardboard inserts; (B) non-box sets are shipped in new polythene sleeves; (C) yes, I ship non-box set LPs with the vinyl in the inner sleeve, outside of the jacket; (D) I replace plain paper sleeves with new polythene sleeves (original sleeves when present are, of course, shipped with the record); and (E) I try to ship clean vinyl: at minimum your record will be cleaned with a carbon fiber brush before shipping unless it is NM or better, and I clean many records on a Nitty Gritty machine before play-grading.?? Variations on these shipping conventions will be used for other formats. I like clean, I like safe, I like you.

Shipping: US Buyers
For US buyers, I will ship this item via USPS Media Mail at the flat rate of $4.00. This flat fee includes the packing and handling services as listed above. Delivery confirmation is covered by the flat fee. I will be happy to combine shipping at actual cost, again using Media Mail for US buyers unless Priority Mail is more cost-effective. You can always let me know if you'd like another shipping method and I will accommodate, at actual cost.
 
Shipping: Non-US Buyers
For non-US buyers, shipping is at actual cost, normally using USPS First Class International. Non-US buyers: PLEASE DO NOT PAY UNTIL I SEND YOU THE INVOICE WITH THE CONFIRMED SHIPPING CHARGES based on the actual weight of the final package. ??You are welcome to request any other form of shipment at actual cost. Please note that First Class International service is cost-effective, but it does NOT allow for tracking or insurance beyond the customs number, which only enables me to track the package to your border. If you require door-to-door tracking, this will increase your shipping charges. I reserve the right to add registered mail for tracking purposes, with cost charged to buyer to certain countries (Italy, Russia, Turkey, Greece, and other "high-risk postal" systems). I will provide you with the actual costs of these two options when I contact you after the auction has concluded.  

Shipping LPs to non-US destinations using standard USPS First Class International can range between $12 and $25, depending on the weight, packing material, etc.
 
Other
I normally do not take returns, but the buyer should be in touch with me if upon receipt s/he feels that something has been misrepresented. I'm a extremely reasonable guy and I want you to be happy. Please contact me immediately if there are any problems with your purchase.