The Jam Going Underground South African Polydor 45 + Label Bag EX

	£		111
	$		146

ULTRA RARE, South African 1980 Black & Red Paper Label Polydor Records 45 pressing of The Jam’s ‘Going Underground’ backed with ‘The Dreams of Children’ (Catalogue Reference: Polydor PS 1148).  The item consists of a relatively thin vinyl pressing stored in a thin Polydor label bag.  The appearance of the vinyl is rather like a mid-70s UK President pressing.  There is a relatively wide run-in groove.  I believe this is pretty damn rare on a South African pressing.  There is no reference to this on 45cat (for instance) and only a couple of Jam 45s appear to have been issued in South Africa.  This is a fine example of this rare 45.  This has seen some play but remains in very solid condition.  To be frank African-pressed vinyl rarely survives in this kind of condition (in my experience).

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX (POLYDOR SLEEVE): This copy has seen limited play.  The surfaces retain a great sheen.  There are a relative volume of ultra-fine hairline marks evident on the run-in groove area which generally don’t extend onto the playing surfaces.  I think this is mainly a result of the rather harsh paper bag this is stored in.  Only limited, ultra-fine hairline marks are visible on the playing surfaces themselves and these are partly a by-product of isolated sections of the surface having been wiped down at some point in time.  This is not a copy which has been so aggressively cleaned that swirling marks are visible across the whole surface!  I don’t usually ascribe a seperate grade to a company label bag but it is particularly nice that this copy survives with the label bag in tact.  Crucially, the vinyl has not forced it’s way through the paper despite the fact that the paper is harsh and brittle.  There is obvious discolouration along the base of the paper bag.  There is a small tear measuring approximately 3 millimetres in the front of the bag around the inner edge and another in the top opening edge of the sleeve which measures a millimetre or two.  While I wouldn’t describe this as a perfect copy I do believe it is fair to say that it is very unlikely that you’d ever locate a superior 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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