Barry Dransfield UK LP First Press Polydor Folk Mill Folk Classic VG++

	£		178
	$		235

I have several rare collectible first pressings for auction this week, including all three Nick Drake albums and both Clive Palmer C.O.B albums. Please be sure to look at my other items. All start at 99p with NO reserve. Please await invoice BEFORE you pay. Shipping rates include insurance (see the bottom of this listing). Combined shipping rates are always offered.

Barry Dransfield – Self-Titled was issued in the UK in 1972 on Polydor Folk Mill 2383 160. This is a first and only pressing. On catalogue for only 9 months before deletion. Matrix numbers are: 2383160A 1 420 1 1 1 / 2383160 B 1 420 1 1 1.

Dransfield’s wonderful record is a mix of self-penned orginals, cover versions and traditional numbers. Along with Vashti Bunyan’s “Just Another Diamond Day” it is reckoned to be the rarest and most-sought after major label folk album release in the world.

Dransfield began playing folk clubs in his native Yorkshire when just fourteen, but did not turn pro until five years later. Teaming up with his brother Robin they went on to make two albums for Bill Leader that are still regarded as classics: 'Rout Of The Blues' (1970) and 'Lord Of All I Behold' (1971). The former not only sold enough to give it a top five place these days, but was also voted Melody Maker's folk album of the year. On the back of this success came a management deal with the svengali of the times Jo Lustig and a record deal with Warner/Reprise, but an artistic disagreement lead to the cancellation of both contracts before any product could emerge.

From 1971 Barry was working consistently, doing tours with Robin and also stints with the Albion Band which included recording the legendary 'Morris On' album. In 1972 he went off to work solo and recorded this album for Polydor. In 1975 he rejoined brother Robin and ex-Longdancer Brian Harrison to form the band Dransfield, which signed to Transatlantic Records. The resulting album, 'The Fiddler's Dream', a concept album mostly written by Barry, was ahead of its time and sold disappointingly, and the band split shortly thereafter.

He has continued to record until the current day and also runs a violin and cello restoration business in Hastings, England.

Tracks:

Side 1

1.   The Werewolf

2.   Be My Friend

3.   Jigs: Hyde Park Mansions / Irish Jig

4.   She's Like a Swallow

5.   Broken Barricades

Side 2

1.   Girl Of Dances

2.   Lots Of Little Soldiers

3.   Lily's Ballade

4.   Reels: The Trip To Derrow / The Traveller / St. Anne's Reel

5.   Robin Hood And The Peddlar

6.   General Worthington

Musicians:

Barry Dransfield: Guitar, Fiddle, Clogs, Vocals

Recorded and Produced by Bill Leader at Leader Sound Studios

The single textured sleeve is in Excellent condition overall with just a couple of gentle creases here and there, tiny flecks of wear to the top and bottom edges and the corners. There is some rubbing to the spine which has obscured some of the spine text. There is no surface wear. No foxing. No ringwear. No stickers and no sticker tears.

I grade the vinyl as Very Good ++ condition. The record plays through both sides absolutely fine with absolutely no sticks or jumps. There is light crackle evident in the gaps between the tracks and sometimes in the quietest sections of music. There are also a few light ticks here and there and a couple of louder clicks at the start of S2T3 (“Lily’s Ballade”) from a tiny scratch. The playing surfaces have a few gentle marks and hairlines but these do not affect playback beyond the issues mentioned here. The labels are perfectly clean with just a few very spindle marks.

Overall a very fine keeper’s copy of a very, very rare album.

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch - normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

G = Good - the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches - the cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. 

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

The following rates insure all packages up to a value of either £250 or £500, dependent upon destination. Additional insurance may be available for a higher fee.

UK 

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

Europe

1LP      £13.60

2LPs    £15.30

3LPs    £16.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1LP      £16.55

2LPs    £19.45

3LPs    £22.30