UNIQUE PACKAGE TYRANNOSAURUS REX – UNICORN lp & SINGLES & PRESS CUTTINGS ADVERTS

	£		25
	$		33

UNIQUE PACKAGE TYRANNOSAURUS REX – UNICORN lp & SINGLES & PRESS CUTTINGS ADVERTS
THE ALBUM: UNICORN
Original US Stereo Import on Blue Thumb Records
Matrix BTS 7 5013 -1A   BTS 7 5014 –1G 
MOTHER STAMPERS: Side 1  0 T1 1 C Side 2  T1 V
Catalogue number BTS 7 5013/4
This was the third Tyrannosaurus Rex album and the first to be released in the States as well as the UK. Which is why, as a fan, I thought I would pay the extra for the imported version, not only did it have a slightly stiffer sleeve, but also, it was on the more exotic Blue Thumb label. It was an early foreshadowing of the electric boogie to come, as, apart from the familiar acoustic sound, there was electric guitar, Hammond organ, tympani and a drum kit on some tracks too. The late lamented DJ John Peel guests to read a wistful children's story full of anthropomorphic animals and elves
Overall condition is EXCELLENT
Sleeve EXCELLENT
The clipped corner unlaminated gatefold sleeve has very light wear to some corners and edges but otherwise is in EXCELLENT condition with the colours still very bright and there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers. The back has the slightest hint of ringwear but you have to look very carefully to see it.
(Note: I have no idea why so many imports had a clipped corner sleeve but that’s how they arrived!)
Inside EXCELLENT The beautifully detailed Unicorn paintings and lyric sheets in totally unmarked EXCELLENT condition with the colours still very bright and there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers.
Spine the spine is firm and totally legible with the slightest of  creasing at the bottom (see photo).
Inner Sleeve  The original plain white inner sleeve is still in EXCELLENT unmarked condition. 
I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, which still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years
Record EXCELLENT The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels EXCELLENT The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking. This is the classic original US 1st Press blue & cream Blue Thumb label
Audio Quality EXCELLENT MINUS/VG
It plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle between tracks and some quieter passages, which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. BUT I have had to downgrade it due to some annoying pops, 3 near start of side 1 track 3, The Seal Of Seasons,  2 pops after the end of side 2 track 2 Evenings Of Damask, 1 pop in side 2 track 4 Iscariot; although deep cleaning would probably remove them. However, apart from that it plays beautifully, lays flat on the turntable and plays well without the needle sticking or jumping.
(Please remember even new, factory fresh vinyl is likely to have some   clicks and pops, but the richness of sound will always be better than digital. OK eventually the robots and aliens will make digital sound as good, but until then, it’s a compromise, you have to choose; deep rich tones and a beautiful sleeve (often with lyrics or other notes) or clinical sterility with nothing to see and a narrow frequency range.)
Side One Chariots Of Silk,  'Pon A Hill,  The Seal Of Seasons,  The Throat Of Winter,  Catblack (The Wizard's Hat),  Stones For Avalon,
She Was Born To Be My Unicorn,  Like A White Star, Tangled And Far, Tulip That's What You Are  Side Two  Warlord Of The Royal Crocodiles,  Evenings Of Damask,  The Sea Beasts,  Iscariot,  Nijinsky Hind,  The Pilgrim's Tale,  The Misty Coast Of Albany,  Romany Soup,
Until 1970 I only ever played my albums on a Garrard Sp25 Mk11 with a Sonotone 9TAHC cartridge and from 1970 onwards on a Pioneer PL12D with a Shure N75 ED-T2 cartridge and stylus, tracking at 1.5 grams which I continue to use today – although the stylus has been replaced regularly

THE SINGLES –
all in original matching paper sleeves which are not torn or marked but do have some creasing
Metal Guru c/w  Thunderwing Lady
First U.K. Pressing
Very rare low 1st pressing stampers!
Matrix / Runout: side 1: T1 Bobil 5 
side 2: 2 Aunty B  Y MARC 1 B-1U 11A
Record VERY GOOD The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels VERY GOOD The Classic UK 1st Press blue and red Bolan picture “Produced by Tony Visconti Wizard Artists Ltd with Gramophone Company rim text and EMI boxed logo.  The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with with minimal spindle marking on the A side but more noticeable on the B side.
Audio Quality VERY GOOD Considering it’s a 45 which had much more repeated use at parties etc than LPs did, it plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle,which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing It lays flat on the turntable and plays without the needle sticking or jumping.

Children of the Revolution  c/w i) Jitterbug Love ii) Sunken Rags 
First U.K. Pressing
Very rare low 1st pressing stampers!
Matrix / Runout: side 1:15 Y MARC 1 2 A-1U  Bobilit Chrome Your Toes GRO 
side 2: 2 4 MARC 2 B-1U 11A For Big Bob LD
(I have no idea what drugs the crew at the pressing plant were on but they must have had a lot of fun – it wasn’t unusual to find records with strange matrixes and stampers in those days!)
Record VERY GOOD The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels VERY GOOD The Classic UK 1st Press white and red Bolan picture “Produced by Tony Visconti Wizard Artists Ltd with Gramophone Company rim text and EMI boxed logo.  The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with with minimal spindle marking on the A side but more noticeable on the B side.
Audio Quality VERY GOOD/GOOD Again, considering it’s a 45 which had much more repeated use at parties etc than LPs did, it plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle,which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing BUT I have had to downgrade it due to the fact that Jitterbug Love jumps and occasionally sticks towards the end. However, apart from that it plays beautifully and lays flat on the turntable

Truck on Tyke  c/w Sitting Here
First U.K. Pressing
Very rare low 1st pressing stampers!
Matrix / Runout: side 1: 3  YMARC 6 A-1  AG
side 2: 11  Y MARC 6 B-1  RG
Record VERY GOOD The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen. There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality
Labels VERY GOOD The Classic UK 1st Press blue and red Bolan picture “Produced by Tony Visconti Wizard Artists Bahamas Ltd with Gramophone Company rim text and EMI boxed logo.  The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with with minimal spindle marking on the A side but more noticeable on the B side.
Audio Quality VERY GOOD As I said above, remembering  it’s a 45 which had much more repeated use at parties etc than LPs did, it plays really well apart from some of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle,which doesn’t detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing It lays flat on the turntable and plays without the needle sticking or jumping.
Record Collector grading system used
EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.
VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.
GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

PRESS CUTTINGS & ADVERTS I’m also including a few press cuttings and adverts from Melody Maker and Sounds from the same period I found them tucked in behind the album. I think they are all very rare, as I’ve never seen them referred to in books or on the web.
Cuttings -  there is a full page interview with Steve Peregrine Took which goes into a lot of detail about his break up with Marc Bolan and a review of a festival at Kempton Park with a large photo of Tyrannosaurus Rex but only a fleeting mention of them in the text!
Adverts – 1 – a full page black and white advert for the album, “The Groover” it has a slight tear along one edge which does go about a centimetre into Bolan’s hair, but a small piece of tape on the back should make it presentable. 2 – a half page ad for the film, “Born to Boogie.” Incidentally, on the back is an advert fro the film, “That’ll be the day.” With David Essex and Ringo Starr!

Summary: this ICONIC, progressive masterwork album from the mystical mind of Marc Bolan, which marks the first stirrings of his turn to electricity, is a lovely piece of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard it on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound 48 years old. The SINGLES represent his fascination with Boogie, which made him such a mega star, before his career was cut tragically short.
I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. I’m starting it at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy it without paying rip off prices Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.
A Word About Payment and Postage
Sorry but I accept Paypal only and it will be posted as soon as payment has cleared, which must be paid within 24hours of the end of the auction. This may seem harsh but I’m fed up with time wasters!
I use 12" Vinyl LP Record Cruciform postal mailers and protect them with an additional layer of bubblewrap. In the UK I use Royal Mail Signed For. If you require some other form of postage/delivery, I’m more than happy providing you meet the extra costs. If you are outside the UK, I will use Ebay’s own service.