Hugh MacDiarmid Drunk Man Looks at Thistle RARE 1970 Irish DBL Poetry LP EX/EX+

	£		45
	$		60

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK – Much of the material I’m currently selling is unsold stock from a record shop which closed down in the early 1980’s.  Most of this stock has been played once (if at all).  This statement will begin any auction where the item has been sourced from this stock.

RARE, Original Irish 1970 Deep Green/Turquoise & Gold label Claddagh Records Gatefold Sleeve Double L.P. pressing of Hugh MacDiarmid’s poem ‘A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle’ (Catalogue Reference: Claddagh Records CCA 1&2).  This appears to be the 1st pressing with ‘A1/B1’ matrixes.  The labels are really attractive with gold-leaf print against a deep green background.  Both pressings are relatively weighty and of a high quality.  The records sit inside quite a flimsy gatefold sleeve which is fully laminated (i.e. both inside and outside).  There are liner notes and a number of images of the poet on the inside of the gatefold.  Like much of the material I currently have for sale this has been sourced from unsold shop stock which has literally sat in storage since at least the early 1980s.  I’d be surprised if this had ever seen more than a single play.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX (LAMINATED GATEFOLD SLEEVE): It is immediately obvious upon withdrawing the vinyl from the original paper inner bags that these records have never seen heavy play.  They are dusty from the decades in storage but under an intense light they display only the odd, ultra-fine hairline mark which are a by-product of the paper sleeve gripping the vinyl’s surface while it was withdrawn.  I can’t imagine that you’d fine a better example of the vinyl.  Considering how flimsy the gatefold sleeve is, it survives in very fine condition.  The sleeve has been protected by a polythene sleeve it’s entire life and therefore the lamination looks like it was applied recently and not over 40 years ago.  Being so thin the gatefold sleeve does display wear around the very edges and the spine has collapsed meaning that the front of the sleeve overhangs the rear and therefore there is wear along the opening edge (in particular the top left-hand corner on the front).  The bottom right-hand corner on the front has received a knock.  With regards to the latter there is an impression in the corresponding position on the rear of the sleeve which has probably caused the damage.  Looking at the rear both spine corners have a ‘stubbed’ appearance as a result of having received knocks.  With regards to the inside of the gatefold, there is a crease running parallel to the spine which I believe is an inevitable by-product of this style of construction (i.e. because the card is so thin) and which has been caused by the vinyl sitting inside the sleeve.  This is a very fine example of this rare set!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases  will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.