Artwoods "Art Gallery" org1966 UK Decca 1A/1A pressing

	£		358
	$		474

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL 

ARTWOODS  "Art Gallery"

DECCA LK 4830 ( pressed in England)

An original UK mono LP featuring Keef Hartley, a pre-Deep Purple Jon Lord as well as pre-Rolling Stones Ron Wood. It is on the red Decca label and bearing the matrix numbers XARL 7481 1A/XARL 7482 1A. It has its original inner sleeve though I have housed it in an acid free, coated paper sleeve.

The last time I put up one of these in January 2008, it fetched in excess of 200 GBP. I just found this whilst unpacking some of my boxes( as my collection exceeds 20,000 some of them are still in boxes). If my memory serves me right, visually and sonically this seemed to be better so starting it at 99GBP with no reserve seems fair enough.

Buyers please note that I am based in Singapore and that the postage rate indicated is for domestic UK shipping(It is part of the UK system and I cannot change it ...please read my shipping section below). 

GRADING RESULTS:

 The cover is generally VG++ to Excellent with a light visible crease on the laminate on the bottom left hand corner on the front and some light browning on the reverse.

The vinyl looks Near Mint visually with some very light barely visible surface scratches on the playing surface .There is a light Decca "mount" on the second last track on each side. These "mounts" which afflict early Decca pressings especially in this part of the world, did not affect play. The label has a light surface scuff at the 6 o'clock position on side 2 but side 1 looks clean. The vinyl maintains its lustre and is mirror like.Tracking at 1.7g on a Naim ARO/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge on a Linn LP12, there is some extraneous surface noise in the beginning but it faded off. There were light clicks or pops which were not too intrusive. The playing could generally be graded as Excellent.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records 

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine  using the US made Walker Audio stage cleaning solution.

Playback Equipment: Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers. For 45s I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Linn Troika though I change them occasionally as the arm tubes can be easily transferred from one deck to another.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable. 

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears.

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

NOTE ON SHIPPING:  With effect from 27th January 2009, EBay UK has introduced a new policy whereby UK sellers have to offer a basic UK inland postage amount which is limited to £4. I am not based in the UK but in Singapore and whilst the amount would not even cover 7"/EPs, I could bear the difference for 45s but not in the case of LPs.  £4 may be barely sufficient for surface mail which will take 8 to 12 weeks and without registration. I have indicated the shipping costs below for registered air mail, but if UK buyers insist that I stick to that basic amount, then I suppose I will send by surface mail though I strongly advise against that mode .

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays.  Shipping costs in pounds are:

UK/USA/Europe                          10 pounds

Hongkong, Taiwan South Korea  8.3  pounds

Australia China Japan                 8.9 pounds

Postage is via Airmail, "signed for" delivery. I prefer signed for delivery as it allows me to "chase" on my side if buyers do not get their items within 2 weeks though so far this has only happened with Italy.

 I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice)