Vinyl: The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour - Stereo Vinyl LP Apple SMAL 2835 - US 1971

Code

Meaning

Record Grading

Album Sleeve Grading

S

Sealed

The record is still packed

The record is still packed

M

Mint

The record is in brand new condition, absolutely perfect. Certainly never played, possibly even still sealed. Should be used sparingly as a grade, if at all.

Cover and extra documents like lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition

NM

Near Mint

Describes an almost mint record, this grade is used for records that appear virtually flawless but not perfect. A very minor scuff can appear on the record. Yet, the record must play without any noise over the flaw and the latter must be very hard to detect. Any blemish affecting sound quality will prevent records from being graded NM or M.

The cover should look close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the record resting inside) may be acceptable. It 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.

VG+

Very Good +

Most common condition for records. The record has been played a few times but displays no major deterioration in sound quality. May have some very light surface noise or isolated crackles and pops. Some slight signs of wear, occasional light marks and scuffs. The average person would not notice anything wrong. Labels may be marked lightly.

Cover shows some handling imperfection like normal wear and tear, price tag, creasing. Minor ring wear, moderate wear to edges and corners. Cover can also be in mint condition but there is a DJ or promo copy stamp or cut in the corner.

VG

Very Good

Now the signs of age and handling are starting to show. You can notice some clear wear on the surface. Some scratches that may cause clicks, crackles or pops. There may be minor warps and skips. Labels may be marked.

Cover suffers from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration. Cover will have ring wear.

G

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has been noticeably deteriorated. Likely to be lots of minor scratches and scuffs. Potential label marks and damage.

The cover and contents can be torn, stained and/or defaced, there also can be some writing on it

F/P

Fair/Poor

The record does not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc, Unless it is something very rare it is not worth listing in this condition

The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing. Cover can also be missing