Fire - 1970 UK LP Pye NSPL 18343 'The Magic Shoemaker' - it's rather rare
£
227
$
301
Favourite Auctions
To save auctions to your favourites, please login
If you don't have an account, please register
Description
Yes, finding an original example is hard. This is a copy of the elusive Pye 1970 original UK stereo LP 'The Magic Shoemaker' by Fire. I found it many moons ago in a local and low key car boot sale. Unusually, I arrived late and people before me must have left it in the box believing it to be a classical record (in between the usual dross) which the cover suggests if you didn't know any better!
Unfortunately said cover is of the thin card variety albeit with a textured finish both front and rear and this one has not worn well over the years. The bottom has lost material from the front edge and the seam has consequently suffered also (see the relevant photo of the inside). The top seam is likewise separated in part. I did consider colour photocopying a section from a reissue LP and applying it but in the end I used invisible (not) tape as you can see. At least it holds the cover together and leaves it original albeit with the repair. Suffice it to say all edges of the cover show wear, including the spine of course but the integrity of the mouth is good. Also on the positive side the front and rear faces are clear of writing and not defaced. Rating wise I would have to give the cover 5/10 for overall condition.
But the record itself is better. The clean looking labels are the required blue and black suspects with the PYE logo at the top. On the run-offs are machine etched NSPL 18343A-2 *T for Side 1 and NSPL 18343B-2 *T for Side 2.
The record is flat, still glossy and fairly substantial in weight. Looking at the spindle tracking by the holes I can't see evidence of too many plays, say several at most; I guess because this is a 'themed' album you would play it in its' entirety and not pick out individual favourite songs like say, Sgt Pepper? I gave it a clean with a damp tissue for the dust and visually under a strong light the vinyl shows scuffs, marks and the odd short light scratch, all probably a reflection of poor handling and use rather than playtime itself. Then I put it on the hi-fi (Linn deck, Naim system) and played both sides through. Ah, those psych freakbeat days! No jumping or particular background nasties with the occasional audible pop on sections between tracks. Will benefit from a record machine clean. So both visually and aurally I would say it rates a 7/10 or VG(+?) in record grade terms. If the winning bidder doesn't agree with my subjective opinion then no problem to return.
For the plain inner sleeve it's die cut but poly lined which is always good.
So, 99p start, no reserve, free UK postage and auction will run to end. I wish it was mint so I could list it as such and save my descriptive time but it is what it is as they say so the people will decide!
price rating
![1971 Led Zeppelin IV US Excellent [Pecko Duck 1st Press Vinyl] SD 7208 Record LP](https://www.popsike.info/php/thumbnail.php?url=https://www.popsike.pics/pix/20250923/389005284811.jpg)
