SXL 2092-3 org UK Decca WBg Tchaikovsky Nutcracker Ansermet double LP plays VG++

	£		62
	$		82

• ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL

Tchaikovsky “Nutcracker “ Decca SXL 2092-3(pressed in England)






This is an original 1959 double  LP made in England housed in a gatefold jacket which is  laminated at the front and reverse. The the vinyl looks and plays ok. I am of the opinion that it’s a first pressing based on the following factors: a) it has the Original Recording By text at the top b) it is of the wide band grooved Decca label, c) it is of the top loader ie the vinyl is inserted from the top, d) sides 1 and 4 are on the first vinyl and 3 and 4 on the second vinyl. It has one Decca original polythene lined inner sleeve and one EMI polythene lined inner sleeve though I have replaced it with anti static sleeves and has the booklet in the centre.. it. As I am getting older ie 77, I am selling off my personal collection) 
As I tend to play grade my albums listed, see results of the play grading below.
International Buyers – Please Note:Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.Buyers please also note that I am based in Singapore .The maximum Ebay postage charges allowed would not cover shipping from Singapore let alone signed for, registered mail.Please read my shipping costs section below.( Recently I shipped 3 albums to UK and found that the postal authorities have changed the rates significantly. The lead times also seem relatively longer)
 GRADING RESULTS: Visual grading:
The jacket does look VG  with only some wear at the sides and edges. There is a stubborn sticker at the front of the jacket at the top left hand corner which I didn’t remove least it causes further damage to the jacket and the reverse has some age discolouration.
The centerfold has some age spots but nothing serious.


All sides of the vinyl look okay under  normal household light. There are light lines at track  2 and 4 of side 1of  which did not cause skips or pops and didn’t detract from the listening pleasure.There were also light Decca mounts at Tracks 1 and 4 which did not cause thumps or pops( these Decca mounts seem to be prevalent in this part of the world) Tracking at 2.2g on a Linn LP  with a Kiseki Purple Heart ,  there was some slight extraneous surface noise especially at the beginning which to me was beneath the music and did not intrude on the listening pleasure. I would grade the playing as VG++ ( I suppose it could be system dependent)
How I Clean and  Grade my Records Cleaning is usually done on two machines ie the UK made  Loricraft PRC 6cleaning machine and the Clearaudio Double Matrix Professional Sonic machine for final cleaning. I use the US made Groovewasher 2 stage cleaning solution.
Playback Equipment:  Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/ Radikal/Urika/Keel/ Ekos SE tonearm with a Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge.Amplification is through a Naim 52 preamp/2x135s into a factory rebuilt Wilson Watt Puppy. For Monos I use a second Linn LP 12 with AroKeel/ Naim Aro tonearm and a Miyajima Mono cartridge
 Shipping costs    I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves for the sleeve and anti static plastic sleeves for the vinyl. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays.  Shipping costs in pounds are :
UK/Europe :27 USA 122 (apparently with the US, it can to be sent by express mail). I have put the US on the non bidding countries list and one from that country may get in touch with me. Each additional 9 per record for the first 3.Beyond that it has to be sent by parcel which can be quite a bit more. However, recently I note that with the increased postal rates, packages comprising of more than 1 kg  incur a much higher rate  and I will inform buyers of the actual amount. Rest Of The World: ask for rates


 Postage is via Airmail, "signed for" delivery. I prefer signed for delivery as it allows me to "chase" on my side if buyers do not get their items within 3 weeks though so far this has only happened rarely. However with the current Covid situation, buyers can expect some delays