DR Z Three Parts To My Soul 1971 UK VERTIGO 6360 048 1Y1/2Y1 RAREST SWIRL GIMMIX

	£		741
	$		982

DR. Z - THREE PARTS TO MY SOUL  (otherwise titled "Spiritus, Manes et Umbra")

A very presentable and overall nice condition copy of this incredibly rare and highly sought after 1971 UK very 1st pressing prog rock holy grail (reputedly less than 100 of this first press exist) on the coveted UK Vertigo swirl label, 6360 048

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1   6360048  1Y//1  with stampers "1 1 3" at 4 o'clock

Side 2   6360048  2Y//1  with stampers "1 1 2" at 9 o'clock

The appearance and overall condition of the flat vinyl is very good (VG). Both sides of the vinyl have retained an impressive jet black lacquered sheen and in normal daylight just a few small and light scuff marks come into view. Under a bright light, and with close scrutiny, on Side 1 some very light surface only scuff marks come into view along with some light hairlines and a slightly more pronounced and noticeable 3cm "wiggly" hairline on track 2 - none of these are "feelable" and all appear to be surface only; on Side 2 there are at least nine clearly visible (but small) scuff marks and further hairlines, two of which are small (1cm) hairlines which are feelable (only just, but each is feelable) and do result in some mild  intermittent clicking on tracks 1 and 2 of side 2. The scuff marks, though clearly visible under a bright light, are not feelable and appear to be mostly superficial, though there is some mild (but clearly noticeable) clicking on side 2 (tracks 1 and 2 and at the beginning of track 3) along with some mild crackle so some of these blemishes are a little more than purely superficial. No skips, jumps or repeats upon playback, however. and I should stress that the vinyl (both sides) does still give off a very nice sheen and has a lovely appearance in normal daylight. (See below for a more detailed appraisal of the audio quality.)

The labels are excellent (EX). Iconic, lovely condition labels with the coveted Vertigo swirl still beautifully intact on each label and the black text on the smooth textured white background on Side B remaining perfectly intact in all it's glory. Under a bright light I can just make out a few very light spindle trails adjacent on each label. But apart from that, perfect! 

The non-laminated "gimmix" open out die-cut (in the shape of a heart) sleeve is very good+ (VG+). All Vertigo swirl outer sleeves are iconic and sought but the UK first pressing variant of this particular sleeve is rarer than the proverbial hen's teeth! All edges remain firm barely any cardboard creasing but there is intermittent mild scuffing on each edge which is  a little more pronounced at the actual corners, although the corners themselves remain nicely defined right angles. The "gimmix" layout of the sleeve opens out nicely with the front sided die-cut heart in perfect condition and all colouring, art work, and reverse side text remaining vibrant and clear and with no unwanted writing or doodles. There are no rips or tears or edge fraying. There is evidence of some very mild ring wear towards the top edge of the reverse side but the overall condition of the outer sleeve in it's entirety is a solid very good plus (VG+), and remains highly presentable.

Finally, the quality of the audio ranges from excellent to good. On side 1 there is some mild background crackle at the very beginning and end of this side but track 1 (probably the best track on the entire LP) is excellent with impressive tone and clarity throughout and barely any interference at all. Still on side 1, track 2 is similar with just a little mild background clicking for about x14 rotations towards the beginning of this track but this is non-intrusive and does not diminish the enjoyment of this excellent track, and the final track on side 1 is equally impressive with no obvious clicking and just some occasional very light background crackle. Overall the side 1 audio quality is very good plus (VG+). Side 2 is not quite as impressive...on track 1 there is some mild clicking and mild background crackle throughout most of the track, track 2 is similar with the clicking a little more obvious and this continues part way into track 3 where both the clicking and mild crackle remains clearly audible and then diminishes to much lighter background crackle and the occasional light click but overall is the best track on side 2 in terms of musicality, content and sound quality. Nowhere on this record are there any skips, repeats or jumps. To be precise I would grade the stereo audio quality of the side 1 vinyl as very good plus and side 2 as good plus...it is possible that a professional clean could further improve the sound quality of both sides. Despite all of this, this record still makes for a great listen, especially side 1.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. EVIL WOMAN'S MANLY CHILD

2. SPIRITUS, MANES ET UMBRA

3. SUMMER FOR THE ROSE

Side 2 :

1. BURN IN ANGER

2. TOO WELL SATISFIED

3. IN A TOKEN OF DESPAIR

Comes with brilliant condition original poly-lined Vertigo inner sleeve (a rarity in it's own right) with the "MADE IN ENGLAND" and "British Patent No..." horizontal text, with no tears, splits, or creasing, and negligible age discolouration - truly excellent plus condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a nice condition and very presentable copy of this exceedingly rare 1971 UK very 1st pressing prog rock holy grail - a worthy centrepiece of any serious vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £6, Royal Mail special delivery; continental Europe £11 and Rest of the World £15, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail, tracked and signed for.

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

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.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler