FREE, SELF TITLED 2nd ALBUM, V.RARE 1969 UK PINK ISLAND

	£		75
	$		99

betsy50 Store

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer a lovely example of the second studio album by FREE simply titled “FREE”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9014. This is an ORIGINAL 1969 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a 1st ISSUE E. J. DAY UN-LAMINATED GATEFOLD SLEEVE. This is the rarest of Free’s Island albums and it is very difficult to find a copy which plays to an acceptable standard. [The matrix numbers are the earliest 1A/1B and ‘Bell Sound sf’ is etched in the run-outs of both sides].

The thick card gatefold sleeve is in VG condition. There is some general storage wear to the edges but nothing serious. The back cover has some age discoloration marks and a small circular area of surface card loss just above Paul Rodgers’ forehead (see photo). There is a neat signature written in the top right corner of the opening gatefold. There is some discoloration to the spine but it is still square and solid with all text legible.

The top quality Island record is visually in between VG and EX condition although this visual grade does not do it justice. It’s a nice solid pressing with a tapered rim edge. Both sides retain a lovely deep shine and the disc sits perfectly flat on the turntable. There are some light sleeve-removal type surface marks and a few superficial stylus rubs (caused by a build-up of debris on the stylus) evident under bright light. These are only cosmetic and do not cause any significant audio problems whatsoever. There are no deep clicking scratches. The Pink Island labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. There is minimal wear to the spindle hole. This is my favourite Free album – it’s just so accomplished and effortless. The sound quality of these 1st pressings is truly incredible. The bass is very much at the forefront of the mix and it combines with Kossoff’s silky smooth guitar to create something very special indeed. Both sides play EX or better throughout. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. I think that it will be very difficult to find a significantly better-playing copy of this wonderful album.

Overall this is a lovely 1st press copy of Free’s rarest album which plays almost perfectly.

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. Still a very presentable sleeve.

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 full insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £9.95

Worldwide - £13.30