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.

Fairport Convention : Unhalfbricking A-1 / B-1 1st Press Pink Island 'Block' Logo 1969

This genuine first pressing plays with incredible audio on both sides with no interference.  I have played every track in full and I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is.  The sonic quality is stunning and there is not one single negative.  There are a number of highlights (every track basically!) but the classics 'A Sailor's Life', 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' and 'Percy's Song' all play to the highest standard possible.  This easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE pressing as it just could not play any better.

The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the original Plastic Bags... inner sleeve just has some creasing here and there.

This first pressing has the pink Island 'block' logo design and as can be seen it has the earliest matrix number so was one of the first off the printing press!

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see some faint hairlines and a couple of very faint small blemishes and there is nothing that stands out.  It is a very clean vinyl overall which is why it has retained its original sonic quality in such an impressive way.  The pink Island 'block' logo labels have no marking / writing just some faint spindle wear.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Genesis Hall' plays perfectly and Denny's opening vocal section has no background either, not even a dust tick.  The first chorus flawless and it continues to play with a clarity and depth that is second to none.  This is such a clean version and there is nothing that detracts from the audio - the playback is crystal clear including the quiet acoustic ending and Mint is the only grade I can give.  A superb start to this classic album.

'Si Tu Dois Partir', the first Dylan number plays to the same standard with no interference of any kind.  Each note is so clean and precise, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound, and again Mint is richly deserved.

The intro on 'Autopsy' is perfect and the first vocal section is equal to that.  This clarity of sound is kept up as it progresses and the long delicate guitar solo is a prime example of that - pure Mint audio!  Denny's final vocal has no intrusion and through to the end of the fade out it plays to perfection.  Another Mint track no need for a minus even.

The quiet intro on 'A Sailor's Life' plays beautifully with no background and the opening vocal has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  This quiet opening section runs at nearly three minutes and yet the clarity is just STUNNING!  There is no background static and it continues to play with phenomenal quality.  The next vocal passage is just as strong with only a couple of barely audible ticks maybe and as the volume increases the audio is spectacular!  This long instrumental section plays with outstanding sonic quality - the audio is so rich and deep and 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  It is 'busy' and the final track on the side and yet the sonic quality does not suffer, this truly is a superb version of this classic and the very quiet end section plays with wonderful precision also.  I will grade as Mint- such is the quality of the audio.

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'Cajun Woman' plays with impeccable clarity and power from the word go.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with sublime quality with zero intrusion and Mint is again deserved.

The acoustic intro on the classic 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' plays perfectly and Denny's opening vocal is of the high end standard.  Once again there is no underlying static let alone anything more and all you hear is Denny's classic voice in all its glory!  The first chorus is faultless and there is just one mega light static during the instrumental bridge, hardly worth a mention!  From then on it plays beautifully with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  A majestic version and the fade out also plays with genuine precision.  This has to be graded as Mint such is the quality.

The all time classic 'Percy's Song' is exceptional and the first acapella vocal is a good sign of things to come!  There is literally no background and the clarity is just incredible.  This is of course a vocally driven track and every vocal / harmony here is so clean and 'fresh' sounding and you only get that from a vinyl that has been so well looked after down the years.  I cannot overstate how well it plays and even the quiet acoustic ending plays with perfect clarity.  This is the definitive version as it just could not play any better and Mint is 100% deserved.  What. A. Version!

'Million Dollar Bash' ends the album with genuine quality once more.  From start to finish I cannot fault the audio - there are obviously no clicks or pops, no background at all.  A Mint conclusion for sure.

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard you so rarely find today.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is so impressive and put simply there is no interference to be heard.  Yes it has been played but as stated the record has been so well preserved and surely only played on high end equipment.  You don't get sonic quality as strong as this otherwise.  It is without doubt a FINAL UPGRADE archive first pressing in every respect.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

 The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The top edge is near perfect with only minor rubbing next to the left corner and the bottom edge just has a little more wear next to the right corner and nothing else.  The spine is a little angled and compressed but remains very clean with only minimal wear.  Aside from that already mentioned the corners are in excellent order with only light wear and the opening edge has barely any handling wear.  The front cover is in lovely condition with no marking and the back cover has only a minimal amount of fading / ringwear.  A strong example overall.

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeve has no side splits or tears but does have some creasing mainly in the corners.  A little age related fading also mainly along the top edge but not very much.

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

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

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1

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 : £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

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!!