Vinyl: Monks Polydor International 249 900 Black Monk Time Garage Punk Original

Any discussion of garage and punk rock is incomplete without The Monks. Originally formed as The Torquays by American G.I.'s stationed in Germany, the band was convinced to remain in Germany after their service periods were completed and subsequently changed their name to The Monks in 1965. They "grew into" the Monks moniker, donning black robes with simple rope ties and shaving their domes into tonsures, in sharp contrast to styles influenced by The Beatles and other pop rock acts of the time. But even more startling was the contrast of their music - it incorporated elements of garage and freakrock, presaged the punk movement that blossomed ten years later, and was characterized by sounds of dissonance, feedback and disorientation completely at odds with the prevailing pop rock sounds of the day. Despite the attention garnered by their uniqueness, the music and their live shows proved to be too alienating, and attempts to "soften" their sound splintered the band, and The Monks disbanded in 1967. Their recorded output consisted only of a single LP and a handful of singles, all of which have achieved legendary "must have" garage/punk status in the intervening years, and enjoyed numerous reissues. Here is an original copy of that single German LP, released by Polydor International in 1966. The LP was not released in the US in the 60's, largely because of anti-Vietnam references in some of the lyrics. This checks all of the boxes of the original release. Machine stamped runout matrix; (A-side): 249900 A Made in Germany ℗ 1966 D6 HR◇K (B-side): 249900 B Made in Germany ℗ 1966 D6 HR◇K. Track A4 is listed as "Higglandy-Piggledy" (on reissues as "Higgle-Dy Piggle-Dy"). Outer sleeve is fully laminated. Vinyl grades VG+: smattering of superfine hairlines but nothing that can be felt; excellent gloss; VG++ player. Labels grade VG+++: one tiny mark where maybe something was dripped (barely visible, and only from an angle); no spindle marks; bright clean logo and graphics. NOTE: The Polydor half-record logo and "Polydor Production" are actually red - for some reason the photos give them a yellow tone. Outer sleeve grades VG++: Front cover: lower right corner crease and slight upper right corner crease; very light ring wear and record "indentation"; minor small edge creases; surface hairline scruffing consistent with a gloss laminated cover (when viewed at an angle to the light, not visible when viewed straight on); no laminate lifting; solid spine; no splits or edge wear; graphics are bold and bright; this is a tough cover because it is solid black gloss and this one has been treated well; Back cover: upper left corner crease; two lightly dinged corners; very minor edge creases; very light ring wear and record "indentation" (same as front cover); surface hairline scruffing consistent with a gloss laminated cover (when viewed at an angle to the light, not visible when viewed straight on, same as front cover); no laminate lifting; no splits or edgewear; solid spine; all photos and graphics are clear, clean and bright. All in all, a very solid copy of this highly collectible punk garage classic - original issue!! Please note that, because of the value, to protect myself this will only be shipped insured and any customs declarations will have to reflect the insured value.

US Standard Shipping is free! See below for the cost of US Priority Shipping and the cost of International Shipping. I recommend you wait for me to send you an invoice if there is a shipping charge - eBay's automatic shipping calculator is almost always higher than what I charge. If you do pay from the eBay calculation, and it is higher than the amount I have indicated below, I will refund the difference.

I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl. I pack carefully, using pads and reinforcing the edges and corners with packing tape. I want the package to arrive in the condition it departs and do my utmost to make that happen. Shipping costs include the cost of the materials. I almost always ship within two days of a purchase, usually the next day; there will be a notice in my store if I am unable to meet that timeframe. Of course, I will combine shipping. In the event you want something you have purchased held pending the close of an upcoming auction in order that items can be shipped together, just let me know. I do not make money on packing and shipping.

I am happy to ship internationally. International shipping gets a bit more complicated, so I apologize for the length of this next section. Many buyers are not aware that eBay puts 100% of the responsibility for successful delivery on the seller; any problems or missing items are immediately charged back to the seller. For lower priced items, I use the most economical service available. Because of concerns and past problems with postal services in certain countries, in order to protect myself against loss on more expensive items, I use services with tracking/signing. I would rather not do this, since I recognize international shipping is costly enough, but it is too much risk on me for expensive items:

• For anything going anywhere up to $125, I ship by US First Class International, the least expensive US international mailing service.
• Anything over $125 (except packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany) requires Priority International with tracking. Priority International is the least expensive US international shipping option that provides insurance and tracking. It is a more expensive service than US First Class; to help defray the cost I pay for the insurance and do not charge for packing materials.
• Packages going to the UK, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, the Nordics, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany will still qualify for US First Class International service up to a purchase of $250. Over $250, they also will use Priority International with tracking.
• It is important to know that USPS regulations require that packages sent Priority International have the insured value written on the custom declaration form in order for the insurance to be in force. Since packages shipped US First Class International do not carry insurance, the custom declaration is more flexible.
• I am happy to consider exceptions, particularly for successful repeat international customers, but it must be agreed in advance. I know shipping costs are high, so do not hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do it before bidding or buying).

Shipping rates:

• US Priority 12" (remember, standard US shipping is free): 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
• First Class International 12" (Canada $5 less): 1 12" for $21.50; 2 12" for $24; 3 12" for $28; 4 12" for $37; 5-9 12" for $52
• Priority International 12" (Canada $7 less): Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about $45. I cannot give a precise cost since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close.

Record Grading (always see photos!):

Note it is not possible for me to play-grade every LP. Grading is primarily visual; if I have questions about a certain marking or condition on an LP I will play specific sections to supplement the visual review. Generally, on higher dollar items, I do a full play-grading.

Mint (M): Only if sealed.

Near Mint (NM): Vinyl shows very little evidence of use, retains nearly all of its original gloss, minimal markings, no warping or dishing; Labels are clean and crisp with no writing or sticker residue, no ring wear or rubbing wear, no significant spindle marking; Original sleeves are clean and square, solid spine, no writing, no splits, no ring wear, minimal edge wear.

Very Good + (VG+): Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface may have light scuffs or hairline non-feelable scratches that do not significantly affect playback, still has a substantial amount of gloss, may have slight dishing or small edge warp that tracks without significant tonearm bobbing, any feelable marks will be minimal and playback effect described; Labels are clean with only minor ring or rubbing wear, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, limited soiling and no significant stains, drill hole is OK if label is otherwise clean, graphics and logos are clear and bright; Original sleeves are clean with no more than light ring wear, light edge wear, corners are square with no more than minor dings, writing or sticker residue is discrete/minor, one small seam split would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean, light creasing, drill hole would be tolerated only if rest of sleeve was very clean. Grading is all-encompassing, so multiple flaws of the type described will drop the grade.

Very Good (VG): Vinyl will show significant use with scuffing or hairline scratches but plays through without skipping (or a very minor skip will be noted), any feelable scratches are noted including the effect on playback, may have light noise particularly at the beginning (due to sloppy cueing) or in softer passages, may have slight dishing or edge warp but it will play through, may have diminished or irregular gloss, record will still provide an enjoyable listen; Labels may have significant ring or rubbing wear, lifting damage, more prominent writing or sticker residue, a drill hole, some soiling or staining; Original sleeves may have splits, ring wear or rubbing wear, significant edge wear, writing, corner dings, creasing, soiling, or drill holes.

Good (G): A very infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a higher grade. Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, limited gloss, significant noise on playback but will play through (with any skips noted); Labels may have glaring writing, significant ring or rubbing wear, extensive sticker residue, soiling or staining; Original sleeves (if applicable) may have significant ring wear, multiple seam splits, taping, prominent writing.

I use additional pluses and minuses frequently, to fine tune the ratings. PLEASE LOOK AT THE PHOTOS - I TRY TO SHOW ALL SIGNIFICANT CONDITIONS! If you have questions or need additional photos or sound samples, just ask!

Items are guaranteed - the purchase price and all shipping costs, to and fro, are refunded if the item is returned in the same condition as dispatched (for Still Sealed items, they must be Still Sealed).