Vinyl: Jackson 5 Dancing Machine ORIG UK Tamla Motown LP Michael Jackson Crisp! EX/EX+

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK

I am currently in the process of shifting a large collection of stock which comes from a Record Shop which closed its doors in the early 1980s. The stock spans a period from the early 1960s through to the early 80s with the bulk dating from the 1970s. There are large quantities of Folk, Pop, Progressive Rock, R & B and Soul. Most of the items have sustained a single play (clearly standard practice to check for flaws upon receipt of new records back-in-the-day) however, some are obviously unplayed. Material sourced from this collection will be introduced by this paragraph.

ITEM

Original U.K. 1974 (sleeve dated November 1974) Black & Silver label Tamla Motown pressing of the Jackson Five’s ‘Dancing Machine’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Tamla Motown STML 11275). This is a period EMI pressing which means a decent quality vinyl pressing in a thin and flimsy cardboard sleeve (Garrod & Lofthouse). By this point EMI had dispensed with the cost of producing inner sleeves specific to the Tamla label and therefore the vinyl is stored in the original standard white sleeve.

CONDITION: EXCELLENT+ (VINYL) / EXCELLENT (SLEEVE)

The vinyl is unusually crisp and I say this because Jackson Five LPs rarely survive in this kind of condition. Like most of the items from his source I would guess that it has seen a couple of plays at most. I grade all my items under an intense light and here I note a section of the playing surface on Side One with a concentration of the thinnest, wispiest hairline marks however, such marks are only sparingly present across the remainder of the playing surfaces and there are no marks of substance (which can be felt or are obvious in normal daylight). While a little dusty this is a crisp copy which clearly hasn’t seen heavy play. The sleeve has also survived in amazing condition. For starters it has spent it’s entire life covered in polythene and therefore there is virtually no loss of print due to handling or rubbing. This is rare because this type of EMI sleeve construction is so thin that invariably the vinyl leaves an impression on the sleeve and ring-wear occurs. While the vinyl has left a faint impression in the sleeve there has been virtually no loss of print due to ring-wear. The only flaws with the sleeve are of the most minor kind. The corners are quite sharp but the bottom right-hand corner has received a light stub. There is some creasing along the spine which results from the sleeve being stored in a record rack minus the record (it should be noted that the sleeve isn’t laminated – EMI largely dispensed of this costly process as well). There is a very light crease near the opening edge on the front of the sleeve which isn’t replicated in the same position on the rear and a very light crease in the bottom right-hand corner which may result from the aforementioned stub (it is light but can be made out on both sides of the sleeve). This is a great looking copy and I cannot reiterate enough how rare it is to find these sleeves in this kind of condition.

FINAL COMMENT

I believe you would struggle to find an overall superior copy. A lovely example! Please check my other auctions for a large run of Tamla Motown items as well as a large selection of Folk, Pop, R n B, Rock and Soul collectables from the same source in similarly immaculate condition! Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from! Overseas buyers welcome!

ABOUT ME

I have been a collector for nearly 20 years now and regard myself as a conservative and realistic grader with all my items having been graded under an intense light. I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor(!). As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself. Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself.

INFORMATION + Terms & Conditions

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013. This means items with a start price Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured & tracked postage. Items which have a start price £20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs. Multiple purchases will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer. Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me. Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end. Overseas buyers welcome! If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end. Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.