🥁 Mary Wells…

Mary Wells was the first female solo singer signed to Motown records. Born in Detroit in 1943, she suffered poor health, contracting spinal meningitis at 2 years old which resulted in temporary paralysis, hearing loss and partial blindness in one eye. When she recovered she had to learn how to walk all over again. Fortunately, however, she regained her hearing and eyesight.

Ironically, her decision to leave Motown in 1964 opened the door for Brenda Holloway, who became the darling of the label at the time. The decision to leave Motown is widely regarded as a mistake and she never really enjoyed the recording success she had at Motown.

In 1990 she was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx and with no health insurance the cost of treatment wiped her out financially. She died of pneumonia aged 48 in California in 1992.

Mary Wells records available :

🥁 Record gradings and shipping…

EX

Records are play graded (unless otherwise stated) in line with Goldmine grading standards. Where an item is still sealed it will be graded New. My highest grade for a used or unsealed record is EX+.

Excellent / Near Mint (EX+)

The vinyl or styrene is in near perfect condition. Any marks on the playing surface will be extremely minor and no more than a light scuff from paper covers etc. A record can be graded EX+ but still have a label mark and that will be noted.

Very Good Plus (VG+) / Excellent (EX)

The record shows slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the sound quality. Slight warps that do not affect play are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK too, such as marks around the center, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration.

Covers will have minor wear and possibly a cut out, anything significant such as writing or stickers will be visible in the photo and noted in the description.

Very Good (VG)

This signifies the record has obvious signs of wear, but it will play with little or no loss of sound quality. There may be light scuffs or minor (non audible) scratch marks. There may be a minor warp, but nothing that affects the sound quality. The record will be good value for money and approximately 50% of the market value.

Covers will have some wear from handling and there may be some writing or stickers which will be shown and described.

Good (G)

This will be a record displaying significant wear and tear. There will be scuffs and scratches but nothing that causes the record to skip or jump. I sell very few records in this category and only list something very rare or unusual. The price will be 25% (or less) of the market value.

Note – When a picture sleeve is included (Album or EP for example) the sleeve will be graded first, eg EX/VG. will indicate the sleeve has few or minor defects and the record has visible signs of wear. Whilst there is always a degree of subjectivity to record gradings, I aim to minimise this by undergrading rather than overgrading. In any event, if I get something wrong, it will be corrected with a no quibble replacement or refund.

Abbreviations:

  • s.s.m.o.l (small sticker mark on label)
  • s.w.o.l (small writing on label)
  • s.l.t (small label tear)
  • s.s.s (small surface scratch)
  • n.a.p (not affecting play)

Why is there a bullet hole in my record?

Shipping / postage

I mail records in stiffened cardboard mailers with tracked, signed for / recorded delivery. All shipping costs are included in individual listings.