FREE, FIRE AND WATER, SUPERB 1970 UK PINK ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		32
	$		42

Hello, my name is Nick (aka playgraderecords). I have been an avid record collector for many years, building up an extensive collection of mostly blues/rock, psych, progressive and classic rock albums from the mid sixties to early seventies period. I have decided to sell off a few choice albums in either the Fixed Price or Auction formats. These offerings represent the crème de la crème of my 35 years of record collecting and are of the highest quality. My grading is strict and any significant defects will be mentioned. You can rest assured that a record that I grade as MINT- will be both visually and aurally as fine a copy as you are ever likely to find (hopefully my feedback and 4.94/5.0 "item as described" rating will bear this out). My descriptions are concise and in accordance with the GRADINGS detailed below. I will not bore you with the unnecessary duplication of song lyrics, and self-respect will not allow the use of ridiculous words like "awesome, mega, hyper", etc., or endless exclamation marks. Customer satisfaction is of the highest importance to me. In the unlikely event that you are not entirely happy with an LP for any reason, I will refund you in full upon return without any hassle.

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer a superb example of the brilliant third studio album by FREE titled “FIRE AND WATER”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9120. This is an original 1970 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a 1st ISSUE MacNEILL PRESS LTD. MATT-FINISH SLEEVE. Complete with the correct white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The record labels are the earliest possible design with a rough-textured finish and the matrix numbers are the earliest ILPS 9120 A//1 and ILPS 9120 B//1].

The sleeve is in VG+ condition (strictly graded) with only light wear and a few minor creases. You can see from the photos that this is a very well preserved example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. I have taken plenty of photos from all angles so that you can judge the exceptional condition for yourself.    

The heavyweight 175g record is in EX condition. The rough-textured Pink Island labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. Both sides play excellently throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and minimal unwanted noise. The audio is very raw and bassy with lots of wonderful guitar effects from Paul Kossoff. Andy Fraser’s bass guitar is very much at the forefront of the mix which gives the album a very distinctive sound. The small amount of surface sound present is both random and transient, and is not intrusive in any way. This is one of the cleanest-playing copies that I have listened to in ages.

The white poly-lined inner sleeve has a small biro squiggle on one side but is otherwise in EX condition.

Overall this is a superb 1st press copy of Free’s iconic third album which will grace any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega P5 turntable fitted with a high end cartridge. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

PACKAGING        

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.95

Worldwide - £14.80