Shirley Collins False True Lovers LP Folkways FG 3564 ORIGINAL 1959 EX++

	£		168
	$		222

Shirley Elizabeth Collins – False True Lovers was released in the USA in 1960 on Folkways FG 3564. There have been a slew of repressings in recent years but this is an original in beautiful condition. The album was only issued in the USA, there was no UK issue nor any other issue. Matrix numbers FG 3564 A / FG 3564.

Often seen with a pink sleeve, this is the light blue one. I have been unable to determine from online resources whether the colour of the sleeve has any bearing on the age of the pressing. All I can confidently say is that the light blue sleeve is seen more rarely than the pink one and that it is the light blue sleeve that features on the website of Smithsonian Folkways – check here: http://www.folkways.si.edu/shirley-elizabeth-collins/false-true-lovers/celtic-world/music/album/smithsonian I therefore describe this as ‘original’ rather than a first pressing as I am unable to prove that it is a first pressing, although it may well be a first pressing. It is, in any event, extremely rare in any condition … and this is a beauty!

The recordings on this album were made in 1958 by Alan Lomax and Peter Kennedy in Peter Kennedy's house in Belsize Park, London  during the same two day sessions that produced her ‘Sweet England’ album. A collection of British songs about love, adapted and sung by Shirley Collins of Sussex, England; with guitar and five string banjo accompaniment by John Hasted, Ralph Rinzler, Guy Carawan and Miss Collins herself. Includes possibly the earliest commercially recorded version of Scarborough Fair. False True Lovers was Shirley Collins’ first full length album. The choice of repertoire and arrangements capture a turning moment in the English folk song revival of the 1950?s, and in the recording career of one of England’s finest interpreters of traditional song.

Tracks:

Side One

1.      I Drew My Ship

2.     The Irish Boy

3.     The Spermwhale Fishery

4.      Dennis O'Reilly

5.           My Bonny Miner Lad

6.           Just As the Tide Was Flowing

7.           Bobby Shaftoe

8.           Richie Story

9.           The Unquiet Grave

Side Two   

1.           The Swapping Song

2.           Poor Old Horse

3.           The False True Love

4.           The Foggy Dew

5.           Mowing the Barley

6.           Scarborough Fair

7.           The Cruel Mother

8.           The Bonny Cuckoo

9.           The Queen of May

10.        Died for Love

Personnel:

Shirley Collins: Vocals, 5-String Banjo

John Hasted: 5-String Banjo

Ralph Rinzler: Guitar

Guy Carawan: Guitar

Unlaminated single sleeve of thick heavy card of ‘wraparound’ design (where the title page is affixed to the front over a plain generic black cover and wrapped around the spine onto the back) is in Excellent ++ condition, perfect except for a faint and small smudge on the top right of the front (running through the word ‘Records’). No wear or creasing whatsoever.

Extensive 6 page insert is also present and in Near Mint condition.

The vinyl is in Excellent + condition. There are one or two very light ticks here and there and two light pops on ‘Richie Story’, otherwise perfect. No crackle at all – completely silent in the gaps between the tracks. Blue and silver labels are also near perfect. “Long Playing Non-Breakable Micro Groove 33? RPM” label text. Interestingly the date on the label is stated as 1959, whereas the sleeve states 1960.

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Please see my other similar LPs for sale. Over the coming weeks and months I will be listing lots of classic prog, psych, folk and jazz LPs. Don't miss out - keep watching and bookmark me in your favourite sellers. Once they are gone, they are gone!!

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch - normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.

G = Good - the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches - the cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

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Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

WITH EFFECT FROM 2nd APRIL 2013, ROYAL MAIL HAVE AMENDED THEIR SERVICES AND PRICES. THE RATES BELOW TAKE THESE REVISIONS INTO ACCOUNT.

Although the cost of some services have increased, or the compensation elements have been decreased, in some instances costs have been reduced, e.g. I have calculated that I can ship 3 low value LPs (i.e. combined value under £20) in the UK for only £2.90!!! 

Postage / Shipping Charges

UK (for packages up to £20 in value)

1 – 3 LPs            £2.90

4 – 6 LPs            £5.80 (sent as two separate packages which works out marginally cheaper than one)

UK (for packages above £20 but not exceeding £50 in value)

1 – 3 LPs            £3.95

4 – 6 LPs            £6.95

Larger quantities, please enquire. Costs are always kept to the absolute necessary minimum.

All packages with a value exceeding £50 will be sent by SPECIAL DELIVERY GUARANTEED by 1pm Next Day unless you decline it.

Value £50 to £500

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

OVERSEAS

Standard Airmail rates to all parts of the world contain only £20 compensation (insurance).

I have quoted shipping rates up to 1kg which is generally 3 LPs maximum. Please enquire about rates for larger numbers.

Compensation for packages with a value from £20 up to £50 is available via Royal Mail AIRSURE or INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR services. Compensation through these services can generally be extended up to £500 for an additional fee, depending on territory. If you decline to pay for compensation (insurance), the goods will be shipped Standard Airmail AT YOUR OWN RISK. Standard Airmail charges are as follows:

Europe

1 LP                     £5.25

2 LPs                   £6.95

3 LPs                   £8.25

Europe (compensation (insurance) between £20 and £50)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £5.30

Europe (compensation (insurance) between £50 and £500)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £8.35.

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1 LP                     £  7.70

2 LPs                   £10.60

3 LPs                   £13.45

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / ROW (compensation (insurance) between £20 and  £50)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £5.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / ROW (compensation (insurance) between £50 and £500)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £8.85