Argent Encore ORIG UK 1974 EPIC 1st Press DBL LP A1/B1 + PROMOTIONAL Photograph

	£		18
	$		24

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK – Much of the material I’m currently selling is unsold stock from a record shop which closed down in the early 1980’s.  Most of this stock has been played once (if at all).  This statement will begin any auction where the item has been sourced from this stock.

Original U.K. 1974 Yellow label Epic Records Double L.P. pressing of Argent’s ‘Encore’ album (Catalogue Reference: Epic Records EPC 88083).  This is a 1st pressing with ‘A1’ and ‘B1’ matrixes.  I would also assume that it was some form of promotional copy as it includes a rare CBS promotional photograph of the group (please see attached images).  The pressings are typical of 70s CBS/Epic UK pressings of this period although to my mind Record One feels significantly heavier than Record Two.  Both records remain inside their original plain white paper inner sleeves.  The sleeve is a matt, gatefold affair which has a certain weight to it.  Like much of the material I currently have for sale this has been sourced from unsold shop stock which has literally sat in storage since at least the early 1980s.  I believe this copy might have seen a single play although Record One does display some affects from having sat in storage for decades.

CONDITION: VG+ (Record One) / EX/EX+ (Record Two) / EX/EX+ (PROMOTIONAL PHOTO) / EX (GATEFOLD SLEEVE): This item has been sitting in storage for decades and I note a very light storage warp to the edge of Record One where this has stood for a long time.  This is not significant enough to have an impact upon playback although there is some grazing and marking associated with this edge warp on Side One which while not very obvious I would expect to have some effect on playback for the first few rotations.  Record Two doesn’t display the same issue but as I note above it is quite a bit lighter than Record One.  Otherwise both records are very crisp and I would doubt they have seen more than a single play.  Only the odd, ultra-fine hairline mark is visible under an intense light.  I would hazard a guess that I was the first person to handle the promotional photographic insert since it was placed inside the sleeve.  It is clean with no grubby fingerprints and two very light bends (but not creases).  The sleeve remains in very solid condition.  It has been protected by a polythene cover it’s entire life which means there has only been limited loss of print due to ring-wear on the front of the sleeve.  The inside of the gatefold displays a loss of print around the very edges where it has rubbed against itself during the decades in storage.  Perhaps the biggest flaw to the sleeve is the wear evident to the edges.  This is quite a thin and cheap gatefold sleeve construction which means the knocks the edges have received has resulted in a ‘stubbed’ appearance to a couple of the corners (please see attached images).  Limited, fine creases are evident along the spine where this has presumably sat in a rack minus it’s contents at some point in time.  Ultimately, this remains a very solid copy which includes a very rare promotional insert!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

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 <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£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.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  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.