FREE – VERY RARE Orig UK 1969 Island Pink STUNNING N/M

	£		310
	$		411

Hi, I am Mike, now 51. Old enough to remember the golden era of original, high quality music, bands, artists.

Also records from the 1960s and 70s bought from the shops from new, I have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 37 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested reader – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching for covers - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortophon 520 Mk II cartridge (tracks at 1.75 grams). Amps: Arcam 2 x 125W Pre-Power. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I post all my UK items on FRIDAY every week, most will arrive Saturday to make signed-for delivery easier. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO massively thick stiffners for even extra protection and bubble wrap if deemed necessary. These stiffners are the thickest possible and custom supplied for ‘Oneadayrecords’ – these are NOT commercially available and you will not have seen thicker protection anywhere. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used as well as ‘Fragile’ tape for that extra professional touch for the packet. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the cheapest and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 3,500+ items sold in over 5 years of Ebay trading (I am now one of most established sellers via Ebay) and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

Album Title: Free.

Producer(s): Chris Blackwell.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: I’ll Be Creepin’; Songs of Yesterday; Lying in the Sunshine; Trouble on Double Time; Mouthful of Grass.

Side 2: Woman; Free Me; Broad Daylight; Mourning Sad Morning.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Label/Format: Island – Pink rim format with ultra deep ridge, matt finish (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both in breathtaking conditions and a lovely shade of real pink. Immaculate, near reference standard labels for one of the greatest titles ever to adorn the famous label. Just a couple of ultra faint spindle marks from a record clearly hardly ever played or even handled. Not just one of the greatest copies of this title I have ever seen, one of the greatest Island records I have had the privilege of owning. This is a little short of connoisseur standard and if a better example exists I would love to see it. Please take a look at the cover as well – a thing of rare beauty.

Cat Number: ILPS 9104.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 146 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Rarity: Rare and in such astonishing condition, well it goes beyond rare. One of the Island crown-jewels and with a cover that is rarely seen even a fine VG. Well this incredible example is NOT VG, not even EX with a host of plusses. This age-defying cover is Mint(-) and the best example I have seen by a million-miles. A cover that ages, ringwears and grubbies so easily, few will even get close to this one. A premier-league topping example that will astound even the most fussy collector. I am not saying it’s quite ‘as new’, but it sure comes close and it will taking something quite remarkable to beat it. Not only that, one of the most prized, beautiful and daring covers in the history of rock – this one does it full justice and it will stick in my memory for some considerable time – the only problem, I am sure I will never find another quite like it. This one has the very wide original spine and it is totally uncrushed or compressed and straight as an arrow. The very heavy pressed record is also immaculate and devoid of any noteworthy marks and the playing surfaces and labels retain the lustre of a record pressed within the last few days not nearly forty years ago. This is a copy for the Island, music and vinyl connoisseur – rare – this is beyond rare like this.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: This record has dual matrixes: ILPS 9104 A (4307-1 1A) / ILPS 9104 B (4308-1 1B)

Run-Out Groove Etchings: ‘Bell Sound sf’ in small scripted type on both run-out grooves.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Free’s second album and one of their most cherished. A band in high demand and why not. I have always felt they were a little underrated and now justice seems to be done. Featuring their most famous line-up of Rodgers, Fraser, Kossoff and Kirke this classic British blues-rock band had a wonderful unique sound and hearing them via their original format is a real pleasure. Their albums were beautifully recorded and produced with the basslines at the front of the mix giving a solid and punchy, rhythmic sound. Free saw the band progressing with a more individual sound with powerful songs and Kossoff’s stinging guitar coming more to the forefront - Rodgers bluesy vocals were sublime. This album features a very daring front cover - the centrefold is erotically morbid – both beautiful in their own way. This vintage UK Pink copy must rate as the very best I have ever seen, even without lamination, this exudes class and will remind those of a certain age what a new cover once looked like. Not quite pristine but only a whisker short. This plays supremely well too with little unwanted and was a joy from start to finish, only the mildest traces of any surface sounds on the briefest of moments. Never forget this has moments of real gentleness but overall a superb pressing and only the most uncompromising of listeners will find anything to object too. This rare set puts the bar up to the highest levels and will take something nothing short of remarkable to ever beat it.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very high indeed.

Cover Grade and Format: Mint(-) and up there with the very best covers I have ever seen. Totally uncompromising and unlike the German-made example I recently offered, the UK version was never laminated. A gatefold format that was printed and made in England by E. J. Day. This also has the massively wide spine which is never easy to find devoid of compression or damage – again I hope this can be seen on my picture.

Front & Back: Superb front, stunning back – these are practically connoisseur standard. Only under angled light can any minor surface marks be seen on the front. Ultra clean, fresh and devoid of rubbing and creases bar a small one near the bottom left corner tip. The lack of grubbiness is amazing especially on the back which will rarely be seen with none. The backside is simply incredibly clean and the white is still just that, immaculate white with no toning, set-off or handling marks. One faint surface crease just visible with the closest of scrutiny near the top left edge but even this is nit-picking. No ringwear or even a pressmark and any rubbing on the back is almost conspicuous by its absence. Study my pictures, I promise they have NOT been enhanced or doctured in any way – what you see it what you set and in this case one of the most incredible Island covers ever made.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Practically perfect and looking immaculate, this inner gatefold looks amazing. The naked girl is seen blowing dust from Rodgers square stone amid the sparse gravestone scene. Marvellously morbid and more than a hint of eroticism, try finding this looking better – definitive and reference standard, check out my close-up.

Top Edges: The faintest of faint rub traces on the coloure front edge but look hard to see any. Both ultra straight and crisp as I hope my top view picture shows.

Bottom Edges: Both immaculate with no wear, grubbiness or rubbing worthy of mention.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with no wear or feathering. Record entered on this right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: This has to be seen to be fully appreciated. It’s massively thick and will rarely be found better, just slight rubbing to the corner ends and being this thick that is no major surprise. Solid, straight, uncompressed or crushed and with no discernable central creasing from opening. Folded almost square with the edges meeting near, but not quite flush. All the fine text is present and unworn and there is minimal traces of any discolour to the white surface.

Corners: A small rub to the front of the spine pair which represents the only real ‘wear’ on the entire cover which I hope reitterates just how fine this beauty is. Tiny tip rubs on the bottom right if being critical and all retain very fine shape and definition.

Cover Summary: Finding EX examples of the UK versions is difficult enough and examples that even represent genuine Mint(-) are a major rarity to say the least. But my pictures do not lie, when was the last time you saw one like this? I feel sure this will please practically all collectors needing this beautiful album.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Mint(-) and even this is hardly doing this superb record full justice – it has hardly a mark or blemish worthy of mention and the sixties pressed Island records are so elusive like this. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and heavily pressed too. A copy probably only played once or twice on all the evidence reitterated by magnificent sound for the vast majority. Visually a super record that should please most collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This fantastic Free record plays to up to its high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Minimal traces of surface sounds and no significant pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a fairly difficult album that does have several quiet passages, it will certainly prove incredibly difficult to find a better visual or playing copy from an original pink pressing. The last couple of revs on ‘Mouthful of Grass’ have a light sound just as the music fades away before the run-out grooves but no better place to have them if they have to be present – the song is all but finished by then. Throughout, the sound is fully focused and sharp with no groovewear distortions or pressing sounds. This was a highly pleasureable album to play-grade and it will take an exceptional copy to better it significantly, I have yet to hear any copy of this title that will play ‘dead silent’ from beginning to end, the format barely allows it but nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove incredibly difficult to find significantly better and is strongly recommended.

End Piece: An album of rare beauty from the golden-era of rock. Only the most carefully handled, lightly played and lovingly stored records and covers survive like this and a rare opportunity for the serious collector to own one of the very best albums on the famous Island label. I wish all albums could be found like this but unfortunately as we all know such copies are the exceptions rather than the rules and examples this clean and fresh are national treasures and highly elusive. A rare opportunity, do not lose this gorgeous piece.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. US; Australia; Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.