FAIRPORT CONVENTION, LIEGE & LIEF, MINT- 1969 UK PINK ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		65
	$		86

betsy50 Store

Hi, my name is Nick (aka cornerstonevinyl). I have been an avid record collector for many years, building up an extensive collection of mostly blues/rock, psych, progressive and classic rock 1st issue albums from the mid sixties to early seventies period. I have decided to sell off a few choice albums in either the Fixed Price or Auction formats. These offerings represent the crème de la crème of my 35 years of record collecting and are of the highest quality. My grading is strict and any significant defects will be mentioned. You can rest assured that a record that I grade as MINT- will be both visually and aurally as fine a copy as you are ever likely to find (hopefully my feedback and 4.9/5.0 "item as described" rating will bear this out). My descriptions are concise and in accordance with the GRADINGS detailed below. I will not bore you with the unnecessary duplication of song lyrics, and self-respect will not allow the use of ridiculous words like "awesome, mega, hyper", etc., or endless exclamation marks. Customer satisfaction is of the highest importance to me. In the unlikely event that you are not entirely happy with an LP bought from me for any reason, I will refund you in full upon return without any hassle.

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer an exceptional MINT- example of the electric folk studio album by FAIRPORT CONVENTION titled "LIEGE AND LIEF", Catalogue Number ILPS 9115. This is an original 1969 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a stunning 1st ISSUE E. J. DAY gatefold sleeve. [The matrix numbers are the earliest A//1 and B//1].

The LP comes with a period flyer printed by The Ranelagh Press of Hampstead which promotes Fotheringay’s first national tour supported by The Humblebums and Nick Drake. Also included is a LONDON HAPPENINGS flyer which promotes the Royal Festival Hall’s concert of that tour, plus a Guardian clipping titled “Amplified folk” which previews Fairport Convention’s concert also at Festival Hall.

The sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear and a few minor creases. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked with bright unfaded colours. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. Overall this is a beautiful example of this delicate un-laminated sleeve which will be very difficult to improve upon. 

The top quality Island record is in MINT- condition. It’s a solid 135g pressing which retains its just pressed shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. The Pink Island labels with white “I” logos are like new with maybe just a couple of faint spindle traces each side. There is no wear to the spindle hole. It is clear that the record has only received a few careful plays. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is very clear and vibrant with wonderful tone and instrument separation. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence. This is particularly important for this album as there are lots of quiet passages which can easily be ruined by unwanted surface sound.

Overall this is a beautiful barely-played 1st press copy with a near perfect sleeve and faultless audio.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega P5 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

PACKAGING       

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £5.95

Worldwide - £9.30