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

Comus : First Utterance A-3 / B-3 1st Press Dawn Records Label + Lyric Insert

This rare and very collectable first pressing on the Dawn Records label plays to very high standard with only a little interference which is mainly on nd there is certainly nothing that stands out.  It is mainly on S1 but even then not very much!  3/4 dull click sounds and some light static and crackle for a few seconds.  S2 though is absolutely STUNNING with barely any intrusion, the clarity and depth of the audio so impressive.  It may not be to everyone's taste but this album was only pressed in limited numbers and is very collectable today.  An eclectic album you could say.

The vinyl is very impressive visually and has no scratches and no obvious marking.

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only a light wear here and there and for once the original lyric insert is included!  The original inner sleeve is also in excellent shape with just a name printed near the top edge on one side.

DNLS 3019 // A-3 ✳T / B-3 ✳T

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (T1 VG brief mid instrumental / T2 ranges between VG+ and Ex+)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (T2 Mint- / T3 Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The lyric insert is Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very strong glossy look with no scratches.  There are only some of the usual faint hairlines and a handful of minor blemishes that have no impact on the audio.  The orange Dawn labels are very clean with some spindle wear but not an excessive amount, just a little more on S1.  A fine example overall.

Play grading

The intro on 'Diana' plays with perfect clarity and the opening vocal is just as impressive with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  It continues to play with exceptional quality although the mid instrumental does have some static and a couple of light clicks.  The next vocal is faultless and the following percussive section has barely any background.  The final vocal passage is very clean without any intrusion and the closing section has just a little static towards the end.  The vast majority is Ex+ perhaps better and I think VG is fair for the brief mid instrumental section.

The quiet intro on 'The Herald' has some crackle here and there but by the time the acoustic guitar comes in the audio is superb.  Watson's opening vocal is stunning and there is nothing that detracts from the overall sound.  There are only a handful of mega quiet ticks but of course these are not intrusive in any way.  A little light static leading up to the first 'silent' passage which is close to perfect with just one obvious tick.  The following acoustic passage plays very clearly overall with only some light static for a couple of brief moments and one dull sounding click.  The strings / flute section is nigh on perfect and the next 'silence' is totally silent!  There is a little static during the next section and another dull click but that is really the only real intrusion - the majority of this quiet section does play very clearly.  The final vocal in the main plays with wonderful clarity and only a couple of minor static 'moments'.  This is quite difficult to grade in a way as there are so many different sections but I would say ranging between VG+ and Ex+ is an honest assessment of the audio but certainly more of the latter!

The instrumental opening on 'Drip Drip' is stunning and the first vocal only has a couple of very light ticks at the start.  From then on it plays with superb audio and with no interference.  Wooton's lead vocal is very strong and there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  The mid instrumental passage is fantastic!  So clean and with great depth also the playback cannot be faulted.  The next instrumental is just as impressive as is the vocal and the remainder plays to the same high end standard.  If there is any inner groove distortion it is barely noticeable and overall this has to grade as Ex+ at the very least although Near Mint might perhaps be a more deserved.

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

The acoustic intro on 'Song To Comus' plays beautifully with a clarity that is second to none and the opening vocal also plays with outstanding audio, a couple of insignificant light ticks only.  It continues to play with impeccable quality - I mean S1 was impressive but this is STUNNING!  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with a sonic quality plucked straight from 1971 I can pay it no higher compliment.  The entire track has no interference and even the final quiet vocal plays with incredible clarity, just a couple of light ticks on the fade out.  I am confident in grading this as Near Mint such is the quality.

'The Bite' plays with stunning audio from the get go.  The instrumental opening has no intrusion and the opening vocal is of the same high end standard.  The quality does not drop as it progresses and every section is 'as new' with nothing to detract from the audio.  This album I am sure rarely plays as clean and 'fresh' as this and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint- it really is a stunning version.

The instrumental 'Bitten' then plays very clearly and indeed the overall clarity is very impressive for such quiet number.  There is just one light dull click and just a hint of light static every now and then but it really is very quiet and totally non-intrusive.  Ex+

The quiet acoustic intro on 'The Prisoner' plays beautifully with only a handful of very quiet dust ticks and the opening vocal plays with no intrusion.  The first 'powerful' vocal has no distortion and from then onwards it plays with genuine quality.  The playback is so clean and that is especially true during the quiet 'cold is climate...' verse.  The high octane end section plays with tremendous power and depth and again there is no inner grove distortion.  The vocals here are exceptionally good!  A superb Near Mint version to end this very interesting album.

In summary this rare album plays to a very high standard with only minimal interference which is restricted mainly to S1 only.  In saying that it still plays very clearly as detailed above and has only a handful of dull sounding clicks, light crackle for a few seconds only and minimal static.  I note any background I hear which is why my descriptions may look 'worse' than they sound!!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio on S2 is STUNNING - I mean S1 is very strong but S2 is just off the scale incredible!  When you consider the age and rarity of this album the overall sonic quality is hugely impressive and will no doubt appeal to the many collectors out there.

The Gatefold, Lyric Insert & Inner Sleeve

The Patent Pending G & L cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the spine has only 3/4 minor rubs and remains 100% legible with just a little wear on the corners.  It is slightly angled though.  The right hand corners are in excellent shape with only minimal wear and the opening edge doesn't have very much handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean with barely any marking although I do think the bottom half of the O in Comus is missing but there is no obvious wear / rubbing.  There is one very small corner crease top left.  The back cover is extremely clean with hardly any marking - there is just a hint of ringwear and very minor wear on the corners.  The inside of the gatefold is superb without any marking and has just a handful of minor creases next to spine and minor creasing at the top of the spine also.  A very respectable example.

The often missing lyric insert is in superb condition with only very minimal creasing and the original poly-lined inner sleeve just has some light creasing and a name printed on one side.  At least it isn't on the cover or labels!

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

DNLS 3019 // A-3 ✳T / B-3 ✳T

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!