Townes Van Zandt-For The Sake Of The Song POPPY/SEALED

$

50

Please read ALL the details, including bidding, payment, shipping, return and grading policies:

Up for sale is a Townes Van Zandt "For The Sake Of The Song" 33 1/3 RPM LP.

Released in 1968. This is the original Poppy Records release. It is SEALED but I believe it is a re-seal as it has the "cutout" hole punched in the bottom left corner and the shrink wrap does not have a corresponding hole. This was a common practice - if the shrink wrap was damaged or had old price stickers, most cutout companies would reshrink them to make them look better in the bins. This does NOT mean this was ever played. I believe it is a new album. I've had this item for over 25 years so I'm convinced it is a clean, new copy.

Here's a little info:

Townes Van Zandt wrote songs with an uncommon grace and poetic clarity, and he sang them with a voice that was at once straightforward, eloquent, and mindful of the arid beauty of his images. A decade after Van Zandt released his first album, there would be dozens of singer/songwriters following his example, but he was a rather unusual commodity when For the Sake of the Song was released in 1968, and the album's production and arrangements occasionally suggest that Jack Clement and Jim Malloy didn't always know what to make of what he brought them. The 11 songs on Van Zandt's debut are all fine stuff (even the throwaway novelty "Talkin' Karate Blues" at least brings a chuckle), and the emotional force with which Van Zandt delivers "(Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria," "Tecumseh Valley," and the title tune belies the fact this was his first album.

In spite of the occasionally misguided production, For the Sake of the Song remains a classic debut. These songs make clear that Van Zandt's genius was already fully formed, and as both a composer and a performer he was a man of rare gifts; even when the backing threatens to drown him out, his gifts come shining through, and For the Sake of the Song was an auspicious debut offering from a talent of the first order.  ALL MUSIC GUIDE

Label/Number: Poppy Records 40,001
Country - US
Condition: Cover/Record:  SEALED/M-
           Cover is still sealed but the top right corner of the shrink is peeled off (probably for price sticker removal purposes). The album is still sealed, however. There is some ring wear and edge wear on the exposed part of the cover as well sticker residue.
           Record is unplayed.

Here's some recent feedback from my customers:
The best transaction I've ever had - great communication - fast - well pkged. A+
item EXACTLY as described , packaged well and shipped quickly !!! Thanks !!
Perfect!! Nice item, fast shipping, good communication. Thanks!!
Excellent transaction! Accurate grading,great packing.Quick,low cost shipper too.
As described and sturdy packing - worth the price - thank you !!!
Item better than described, excellent seller. A++
Record is in great condition and plays perfect! Packed very well! Thanks!
Perfect business transaction. Fast Shipper. Would buy again from Seller.
Excellent seller. Prompt answer, fast delivery, items received as advertised.
Recommended eBay seller/Accurate grading/Solid packaging/Thank you
Rec'vd record today.WOW mint condition as described, Speedy transaction:)Thanks
Great Record! Accurately graded!!! Thank you very much!!!!!!!+++++++++++++++++++
perfect transaction ,an expert in grading! Thanks very much!
Wow! Record in mint cond. Very safely packed. Excellent Seller. Will buy again!
Great seller. Just as described and shipped promptly. Packed very well. Thanks
AS Advertised. TOP Condition. SAFE & SPEEDY Shipping. THANKS ! ! !

BIDDING:
Unfortunately, I have had non-payers so IF YOUR FEEDBACK SCORE IS ZERO, I WILL CANCEL YOUR BID - DO NOT BID IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY FEEDBACK.

PAYMENT:
PayPal only, please. NO CHECKS!  PAYMENT IS DUE WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE AUCTION END. IF PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS,  I WILL RE-INVOICE YOU  ONCE,  WAIT 24 HOURS AND THEN FILE A NON-PAYMENT DISPUTE.

SHIPPING:
Your product will be packed appropriately. LPs are packed between two cardboard pads and shipped in a professional LP mailer. Check my feedback - I have lots of happy customers!

In the US, ONE SINGLE will ship FIRST CLASS MAIL.  I will combine multiple purchases and provide the cheapest cost based on weight and delivery location. DELIVERY CONFIRMATION IS INCLUDED IN SHIPPING RATE.   

INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS:  SORRY, BUT INSURANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMERS WITHOUT A BIG INCREASE IN SHIPPING COSTS. I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR NON-DELIVERY OF UNINSURED ITEMS. 

SHIPMENTS TO ITALY ARE NOT GUARANTEED. ONCE I SHIP IT TO ITALY, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. 

RETURNS:
Records are visually graded unless noted. I have graded conservatively.  I guarantee what I sell to be as described. Any returns must be approved before shipping and must be returned within 14 days of approval. ITEMS DAMAGED IN SHIPPING ARE NOT GUARANTEED - YOU MUST BUY INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR ITEM FROM THE POSTAL GORILLAS.

IF YOU HAVE AN ITEM DAMAGED IN SHIPPING, YOU MUST SAVE THE ORIGINAL PACKING MATERIALS AND THEN CONTACT ME IMMEDIATELY.

GRADING GUIDELINES:

Mint (M): Absolutely perfect in every way - certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. (More on still sealed below). Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

Near Mint (NM or M-): A nearly perfect record. Many dealers won't give a grade higher than this implying (perhaps correctly) that no record is ever truly perfect. The record shows no obvious sign of wear. A 45 rpm sleeve has no more than the most minor defects, such as almost invisible ring wear or other signs of slight handling.
An LP jacket has no creases, folds, seam splits or any other noticeable similar defect. No cut-out holes, either. And of course, the same is true of any other inserts, such as posters, lyric sleeves, and the like. Basically, Near Mint looks as if you just got it home from a new record store and removed the shrink wrap.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Shows some signs that it was played and otherwise handled by a previous owner who took good care of it. Record surfaces may show some slight signs of wear and may have slight scuffs or very light scratches that don't affect one's listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sign are OK.
The label may have some ring wear or discoloration, but is should be barely noticeable. The center hole is not misshapen by repeated play. Picture sleeves and LP inner sleeves will have some slight wear, lightly turn-up corners, or a slight seam-split. An LP jacket my have slight signs of wear also and may be marred by a cut-out hole, indentation or corner indicating it was taken out of print and sold at a discount.
In general, if not for a couple of minor things wrong with it, this would be Near Mint. All but the most mint-crazy collectors will find a Very Good Plus record highly acceptable.

Very Good (VG): Many of the defects found in a VG+ record are more pronounced in a VG disc. Surface noise is evident upon playing, especially in soft passages and during the song's intro and fade, but will not overpower the music otherwise. Groove wear will start to be noticeable, as will light scratches (deep enough to feel with a fingernail) that will affect the sound.
Labels may be marred by writing, or have tape or stickers (or their residue) attached. The same will be true of picture sleeves or LP covers. However, it will not have all of these problems at the same time, only two or three of them.

Good (G), Good Plus (G+): Good does not mean bad! A record in Good or Good Plus condition can be put onto a turntable and will play through without skipping. But it will have significant surface noise and scratches and visible groove wear.
A jacket or sleeve has seem splits, especially at the bottom or on the spine. Tape, writing, ring wear or other defects will start to overwhelm the object. If it's a common item, you'll probably find another copy in better shape eventually. Pass it up. But if it's something you have been seeking for years, and the price is right, get it.

Poor (P), Fair (F): The record is cracked, badly warped, and won't play through without skipping or repeating. The picture sleeve is water damaged, split on all three seams and heavily marred by wear and/or writing. The LP jacket barely keeps the LP inside it. Inner sleeves are fully seam split, and written upon.
Except for impossibly rare records otherwise unattainable, records in this condition should be bought or sold for no more than a few cents each.

Still Sealed (SS) : Let the buyer beware, unless it's a U.S. pressing from the last 10-15 years or so. It's too easy to reseal on. Yes, some legitimately never-opened LPs from the 1960s still exist. But if you're looking for a specific pressing, the only way you can know for sure is to open the record. Also, European imports are not factory-sealed, so if you see them advertised as sealed, someone other than the manufacturer sealed them.