I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

Fairport Convention : Unhalfbricking A-1 / B-1 Pink 'I' Label 1969

This very early pressing plays with stunning audio across both sides with no interference.  Having played it in full I can confirm it plays to the highest standard possible and 'as new' is not overdoing it.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is second to none and it has clearly hardly ever been played.  The sonic quality is sensational and the vinyl not surprisingly is in beautiful condition.  There are so many highlights (every track basically!) but the classics 'A Sailor's Life', 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' and 'Percy's Song' really do stand out.  This truly is a FINAL UPGRADE classic in every sense.

The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the original Foreign Patents Pending inner sleeve just has some fading.

The first press of course had the 'block' logo design and the one I am selling on the pink 'i' label is the one that was pressed immediately after so is strictly speaking a second press.  It still has the A1/B1 matrix and if you want the most 'complete' version of this album then this is the one to have in your collection!

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Near Mint / Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex-

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only when you look under a strong bright light can you see a handful of ultra faint hairlines but they are difficult to spot!  The pink 'i' labels are very clean with no marking / writing and only very minimal spindle wear.  S2 just has a couple of small 'specks' and some faint 'bubbling' in one small area.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Genesis Hall' plays perfectly and Denny's opening vocal has no intrusion either.  From then on it plays with exceptional clarity and depth - there is no interference and it just could not play with any greater precision.  The playback is STUNNING from start to finish and Mint is very much deserved.  Just a couple of barely audible dust ticks on the fade out.  Strong percussion from Lamble here who of course sadly died just before the album was released.

'Si Tu Dois Partir', the first of the Dylan numbers, keeps up the standard and plays with imperious quality throughout with no intrusion.  The audio is so clean and precise and this is another Mint track.

The intro on 'Autopsy' has no background and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  There are a couple of very minor static ticks after the first Crying the hours in tears vocal but so so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  The long delicate guitar solo plays with incredible clarity and Denny's final vocal is equally as clean and right to the final note it plays beautifully.  I believe Mint- is deserved here.  It is a stunning version.

You would not believe just how well the 11 minutes of 'A Sailor's Life' plays!  There are of course a number of quiet sections and yet the clarity of sound could not be improved.  Every section plays with unbelievable sonic quality - the vocals are so clean and the accompanying music is 'as new' without a doubt.  As the volume increases during the long instrumental section the playback is STUNNING - the audio is so rich and deep and I am just blown away by this version.  The quality does not diminish as you progress further and the very quiet end section plays beautifully.  This is the most 'complete' version I have ever heard, the definitive version you could say and I am confident in grading this classic as Mint such is the quality of the audio.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

From the first note to the last 'Cajun Woman' plays with stunning precision.  There is not even a single dust tick let alone anything more and obviously there is no background static.  Wonderful depth and power throughout.  Mint

The intro on the classic 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' plays beautifully with no intrusion and Denny's opening vocal is as close to perfect as is possible.  I did hear the lightest touch of background static on a handful of occasions but it is so so quiet and honestly you only notice if you listen very intently, it's hardly worth a mention really.  The first chorus is perfect and from then on it plays with crystal clear audio.  The playback is so clean and fresh and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Denny's vocal is the highlight of course but the accompanying music adds so much to the overall 'sound'.  A Mint- version for sure.

If you want the most perfect rendition of 'Percy's Song' then look no further!  Every verse / 'chorus' plays with a clarity and warmth that you only get from a vinyl that has hardly been played.  I cannot emphasise enough just how STUNNING THIS CLASSIC IS!  I have now played it twice - a lyrically driven track with a superb melody it is a total classic - Dylan was / is a genius for sure.  The sonic 'landscape' here is incredible - I listened so carefully and each note is kind of enhanced in a way - so clean with a clarity, depth and warmth you only get from vinyl.  It is MINT in every respect.  Wow!

'Million Dollar Bash' ends this remarkable album with superb audio once more.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays to perfection without any interference.  A Mint finish.

In summary this very early pressing plays to a standard you so rarely find today.  The clarity of sound is quite simply on another level and it is no exaggeration to say there is literally no interference.  I know 'cleaning' a record can help a lot but it still needs to have been carefully looked after in order to retain its original sonic quality and this one definitely has been.  This is unequivocally a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in every way.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

 The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have hardly any rubbing although the spine does have a little resulting in some of the letters not being 100% legible.  The corners are in pretty good shape with only a little more wear on the bottom two and the opening edge has only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is super clean with just one minor crease and the back cover has only a couple of small faint crease lines and a little ringwear.  A fine example overall.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits or tears but does have some fading / age related fading and a little creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!