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 generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

SRC : Traveler's Tale F8 / F8 1st Press 1970

This rare first pressing plays with superb audio and there is hardly any interference.  In fact the only intrusion is some light static on 'Across The Land Of Light' during the quieter section.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the clarity, definition and power of the audio overall is stunning.  Then vinyl is in great condition and has clearly not been played too much.

The cover has a little wear but nothing extensive.  I would say the laminated front is VG+ and the non-laminated back is Ex.  It's usually the other way round!  The original EMI inner in in superb condition.

This first pressing has a G1 stamper on each side which of course means it is one of the first off the 'printing press'.  The holy grail of stampers as it were!

ESKA01 273-F8  G 1   ---   ESKA02 273-F8  G 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Ex+ / T4 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 quieter mid section Ex-)

The laminated G & L cover is VG++

The EMI inner sleeve is Ex++

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light there are only a small number of faint hairlines to be seen and nothing stands out.  There is no groove or surface wear and the lime green 'target' labels (EMI) labels are extremely clean with only minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'A New Crusader' plays with perfect clarity and definition.  I've never heard this album before and this intro is very strong!  Great musicianship.  The opening vocal section has no intrusion and it continues in the same precise way.  I would say the production is a little 'thin' but there is no denying the actual quality of the audio.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the clarity of sound is stunning.  Easily a Mint start to the album.

The quiet intro on 'Street Without A Name' has only light static at the beginning and soon disappears as the music builds.  The opening vocal is nigh on perfect with just one barely audible static and thereafter it plays with stunning precision.  This is a superb track more in the 'prog mould' and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Goodman's guitar work is outstanding as is Quackenbush's organ sound.  I will grade the intro as Ex+ but from then on Mint- is deserved.

'Midnight Fever' is a more straightforward rock number and it plays with real power through every section.  There is no interference and Mint- is fair.

The quiet intro on 'Never Before Now' plays perfectly and the opening vocal section is just as strong.  It continues in much the same way.  If there is any inner groove distortion it is kept to an minimum and overall the clarity is very impressive.  The long fade out has no background at all which is a good measure of the clarity on offer here.  Near Mint

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

'By Way Of You' plays with stunning quality from the get go.  The intro and opening vocal have no background and this level is kept up as it progresses.  The mid instrumental is so strong and powerful and the remainder is 'as new'.  The vocals are higher in the mix on this track and the production seems better also.  Great percussion from Clawson.  Mint

'Diana' is of the same standard.  The power and definition of the audio cannot be faulted and again Clawson's drum work is very prominent. The best of this track is bizarrely the ending!  Superb instrumental section.  Mint

The intro on 'Across The Land Of Light' has some light static during the quieter moments but they do not last long.  As this instrumental progresses the sonic quality is stunning and then the quieter mid section plays clearly but with some background static.  The final powerful piece is superb and there is barely any inner groove distortion.  I'll grade the main 'bulk' of the track as Mint- band the quieter mid section as Ex-

The intro on 'The Offering' plays so clearly and Richardson's opening vocal is just as clean.  The following instrumental is superb - incorporating an orchestra the sound quality is very impressive for a final track and it continues to play with genuine quality.  This is a great track and again has very progressive overtones.  There is no intrusion and it is sonically very strong.  The instrumental end section is superb - very dynamic and powerful and the very quiet final few seconds has no background whatsoever.  A Mint- conclusion for sure.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The G & L cover is in very good condition bordering on excellent.  The edges are super clean and the spine is in great shape also with only light wear on the corners.  The top right edge has barely any wear and bottom right has a little rubbing.  The opening edge has only minimal handling wear and the front cover has a small number of laminate creases, some light wear near the two bottom corners and some faint ringwear which you can only see when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  There is also one small area near the top right corner which feels slightly rough to the touch.  The back cover is in excellent order with no marking and only a few minor rubs on the flipbacks.  There is a little laminate lift / creasing in the lower right corner - only the flipbacks are laminated.  A strong example overall.

The original EMI inner sleeve is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, no obvious marking and only minimal creasing.

ESKA01 273-F8  G 1   ---   ESKA02 273-F8  G 1

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

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

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!