PETER HAMMILL - FOOL'S MATE PINK SCROLL CHARISMA UK 1ST PRESS EX 1970 VDGG

	£		58
	$		77

PETER HAMMILL

Fool's Mate

CAS 1037

PINK SCROLL CHARISMA

1st Press UK

 1971 Ultra Heavy vinyl

Machined First UK press matrices:   the earliest possible issue and according to the mother stampers this copy is one of the very first issued in the first few days. A-2U  and B-1U. 

Fool's Mate is the debut solo album by Peter Hammill of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. The title is both a chess and tarot reference. It was produced by Trident Studios' in-house producer John Anthony. The album was recorded in 1971, in the midst of one of Van der Graaf Generator's most prolific periods. Hammill used the album to record a backlog of songs which were much shorter and simpler than his Van der Graaf Generator material, and declared on the original album sleeve: "This isn't intended to be any kind of statement of my present musical position, but at the same time, it is an album which involves a great deal of me, the person, basically a return to the roots."

Guest musicians on the album included the members of Van der Graaf Generator, members of his label mates Lindisfarne, and guitarist Robert Fripp.

The UK music press was generally very positive about Fool's Mate. Melody Maker saw "one of THE albums of the year".

The cover was designed by Paul Whitehead who at the time was the favourite cover artist for Van der Graaf Generator and fellowCharisma band Genesis.

Fool's Mate includes one of Hammill's most celebrated love songs, "Vision", which he still performs in concert.

Vinyl:  VG+ to EX.  Both surfaces retain their original deep, glossy sheen.  There are a couple of the usual sleeve retraction paper scuff traces. Side A is in EX condition with just one small wispy hairline to be seen. The audio is stunning with nothing untoward. There are a couple of light hairlines on side B, these are only shallow, there are just a couple of light ticks for a few revolutions. For this reason side B grades slightly lower around a VG+. The labels are fantastic with hardly any spindle wear and a deep rich pink colour.
 Outstanding audio delivery in all respects with a crystal clear, deep, rich, warm and detailed sound and on playback at a loud volume (which is how I always listen to my LPs prior to listing and it's always an immense pleasure to return to this one) there is barely any surface noise. This is a beautifully clean pressing (and I must emphasise again how difficult it is to find a copy which plays this well). The whole LP sounds great and plays to a high standard with superb clarity, no groove-wear and no distortion and is very strictly graded a strong EX for audio  - great copy!! Of course, NO skips, NO jumps.

Gatefold  Sleeve: EX.  "Made by E.J. Day Group Ltd.". Extremely hard to find this sleeve without any issues and this is indeed one of the very best I have come across and will most certainly be very pleasing to most prog collectors.  The sleeve has a beautiful prominent lush texture to the outside. On the inside is an action photo of Peter playing the grand piano covering the full inside gate. The inside also has a track listing plus credits. Just light storage edge wear to the top and bottom. The spine still has its full colour. The opening is super crisp. Of course NO creases, NO tears, NO writing.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  These fees in England have gone up significantly last May. Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

***This is a unique prime investment opportunity!!! Finding this classic album in any condition at all is nearly impossible!!! This is  a great and seriously collectable super album!!  You will buy into a piece of  superb prog history.*** 

This is a unique investment opportunity!!! The next prog album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bidlists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.