Free "Tons Of Sobs" Original Vinyl LP British First Press Pink Label NM RARE

$

400

FREE – “TONS OF SOBS”

THIS IS A 100% ORIGINAL STUNNING BRITISH COPY OF FREE’S DEBUT RECORD ON VINYL!!!

RELEASED IN 1968, THIS NOW LEGENDARY BRITISH BLUES-ROCK RECORD IS ONE OF THE HARDEST ALBUMS TO FIND ON VINYL, ESPECIALLY AN ORIGINAL BRITISH PRESSING

DUE TO THE ALBUM’S LIMITED SALES UPON RELEASE, VERY FEW ORIGINAL BRITISH COPIES EXIST, MAKING IT ONE OF THE RAREST AND MOST COLLECTIBLE ROCK RECORDS EVER RELEASED!

WHILE MANY REISSUES AND LATER COPIES WERE PRESSED, THIS IS THE REAL THING.  A 100% ORIGINAL 1968 BRITISH PRESSING.  THIS SPECIFIC PRESSING IS THE HARDEST TO FIND AND THEREFORE MOST DESIRABLE PRESSING OF THIS ALBUM

NOW, FREE ARE ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC BRITISH BLUES BANDS OF THE 60s, WITH THEIR ORIGINAL LINE-UP CONSISTING OF:

 LEAD SINGER: PAUL RODGERS (OF BAD COMPANY FAME)

GUITARIST: PAUL KOSSOFF

BASSIST: ANDY FRASER

DRUMMER: SIMON KIRK

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT FREE WERE UNBELIEVABLY INFLUENTIAL TO NUMEROUS ACTS TO COME OUT OF THE LATE 60s BRITISH BLUES SCENE SUCH AS: LED ZEPPELIN, CREAM, THE WHO, ETC.

THE RECORD AND SLEEVE ARE BOTH IN BREATHTAKING CONDITION!!!!!

RECORD: NM-/EX+

THE VINYL IS IN IMPECCABLE SHAPE!

SIDE ONE IS FLAWLESS WITH EXTREMELY MINOR WISP MARKS VISIBLE ONLY UNDER BRIGHT LIGHT

SIDE TWO HAS TWO VERY MINOR HAIRLINE SCRATCHES THAT DO NOT AFFECT PLAY AT ALL! 

BOTH SIDES PLAY-TESTED PHENOMENALLY!

SLEEVE: EX

THE JACKET ON THIS RECORD IS SPECTACULAR.  THE ONLY THINGS MAKING IT NOT NEAR MINT ARE TWO MINOR CORNER BUMPS ON THE TWO LEFT CORNERS (see pics).  OTHER THAN THAT IT IS FLAWLESS!  COLORS VIBRANT AND BEAUTIFUL, SPINE VERY SLIGHTY WORN BUT COMPLETELY LEGIBLE.

ABSOLUTELY NO SEAM SPLITS!!!!!

INNER GATEFOLD IS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE WITH NO VISIBLE WEAR

LABELS ARE IN FANTASTIC CONDITION WITH NO SPINDLE MARKS/SPIDER LEGS.  BOLD “MADE IN ENGLAND” TEXT ON BOTTOM RIM OF BOTH LABELS WITH NO DATE STAMPED UNDERNEATH (IF THERE WAS A DATE UNDERNEATH THE TEXT THAT WOULD MAKE IT A 1969 REPRESS)

INCLUDES ORIGINAL PLAIN PAPER INSERT WHICH HAS NO SPLITS EITHER

ALL RECORDS AND SLEEVES ARE GRADED ACCORDING TO THE GOLDMINE RECORD GRADING SYSTEM (see below)

MINT (M)
These are absolutely perfect in every way. Often rumored but rarely seen, Mint should never be used as a grade unless more than one person agrees that the record or sleeve truly is in this condition. There is no set percentage of the Near Mint value these can bring; it is best negotiated between buyer and seller.

NEAR MINT (NM OR M-)
A good description of a NM record is “it looks like it just came from a retail store and it was opened for the first time.” In other words, it’s nearly perfect. Many dealers won’t use a grade higher than this, implying (perhaps correctly) that no record or sleeve is ever truly perfect.

NM records are shiny, with no visible defects. Writing, stickers or other markings cannot appear on the label, nor can any “spindle marks” from someone trying to blindly put the record on the turntable. Major factory defects also must be absent; a record and label obviously pressed off center is not Near Mint. If played, it will do so with no surface noise. (NM records don’t have to be “never played”; a record used on an excellent turntable can remain NM after many plays if the disc is properly cared for.)

NM covers are free of creases, ring wear and seam splits of any kind.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)
or EXCELLENT (E)
A good description of a VG+ record is “except for a couple minor things, this would be Near Mint.” Most collectors, especially those who want to play their records, will be happy with a VG+ record, especially if it toward the high end of the grade (sometimes called VG++ or E+).

VG+ records may show some slight signs of wear, including light scuffs or very light scratches that do not affect the listening experience. Slight warps that do not affect the sound are OK. Minor signs of handling are OK, too, such as telltale marks around the center hole, but repeated playing has not misshapen the hole. There may be some very light ring wear or discoloration, but it should be barely noticeable.

VG+ covers should have only minor wear. A VG+ cover might have some very minor seam wear or a split (less than one inch long) at the bottom, the most vulnerable location. Also, a VG+ cover may have some defacing, such as a cut-out marking. Covers with cut-out markings can never be considered Near Mint.

Very Good (VG)
Many of the imperfections found on a VG+ record are more obvious on a VG record. That said, VG records — which usually sell for no more than 25 percent of a NM record — are among the biggest bargains in record collecting, because most of the “big money” goes for more perfect copies. For many listeners, a VG record or sleeve will be worth the money.

VG records have more obvious flaws than their counterparts in better shape. They lack most of the original gloss found on factory-fresh records. Groove wear is evident on sight, as are light scratches deep enough to feel with a fingernail. When played, a VG record has surface noise, and some scratches may be audible, especially in soft passages and during a song’s intro and ending. But the noise will not overpower the music otherwise.

Minor writing, tape or a sticker can detract from the label. Many collectors who have jukeboxes will use VG records in them and not think twice. They remain a fine listening experience, just not the same as if it were in better shape.

VG covers will have many signs of human handling. Ring wear in the middle or along the edges of the cover where the edge of a record would reside, is obvious, though not overwhelming. Some more creases might be visible. Seam splitting will be more obvious; it may appear on all three sides, though it won’t be obvious upon looking. Someone might have written or it or stamped a price tag on it, too.

Good (G),
Good Plus (G+)
or Very Good Minus (VG–)
These records go for 10 to 15 percent of the Near Mint value, if you are lucky.

Good does not mean bad! The record still plays through without skipping, so it can serve as filler until something better comes along. But it has significant surface noise and groove wear, and the label is worn, with significant ring wear, heavy writing, or obvious damage caused by someone trying to remove tape or stickers and failing miserably. A Good to VG– cover has ring wear to the point of distraction, has seam splits obvious on sight and may have even heavier writing, such as, for example, huge radio station letters written across the front to deter theft.

If the item is common, it’s probably better to pass it up. But if you’ve been seeking it for a long time, get it cheap and look to upgrade.

POOR (P)
and Fair (F)
Poor (P) and Fair (F) records go for 0 to 5 percent of the Near Mint value, if they go at all. More likely, they end up going in the trash. Records are cracked, impossibly warped, or skip and/or repeat when an attempt is made to play them. Covers are so heavily damaged that you almost want to cry.

Only the most outrageously rare items ever sell for more than a few cents in this condition — again, if they sell at all.

THIS IS AN EXTREMELY RARE AND HARD-TO-FIND ITEM.  MAKE ME AN OFFER! (I WILL THOROUGHLY REVIEW AND CONSIDER ANY AND EVERY OFFER MADE)

I AM A PRIVATE VINYL COLLECTOR AND SELLER, SO I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BUY A RECORD SIGHT-UNSEEN. I TRY TO DESCRIBE THOROUGHLY AND GRADE AS I WOULD EXPECT TO RECEIVE IT IF I WERE THE BUYER

ALL RECORDS ARE PROFESSIONALLY CLEANED AND PACKED 

CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS YOU HAVE ABOUT THE LISTING

PLEASE WAIT FOR INVOICE AFTER PURCHASE. SHIPPING IS $20, NOT $4. SHIPPING INCLUDES TRACKING INFORMATION AND INSURANCE.

INCLUDES EVERYTHING IN PICTURES AND PLASTIC PROTECTIVE SLEEVE. 

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING PRICES VARY BASED ON BUYER’S LOCATION AND IS TO BE PAID BY BUYER

I WILL SHIP TO ANY LOCATION AND WILL CHARGE USPS PRICE

THANKS FOR LOOKING!  BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER RECORDS FOR SALE