THE HOBBIT – First and Last (Deroy / Folk / Private Press / Original)

	£		658
	$		872

THE HOBBIT – First and Last LP on Deroy Records from 1970 (DEROY 709)

You are bidding for an original privately pressed copy of The Hobbit First and Last LP on the highly collectable Deroy label.

Deroy Sound Services, based in Carnforth Lancashire, provided a custom recording and pressing service to musicians during the late sixties and seventies and were responsible for releasing some of the rarest and most desirable Folk and Rock albums of the era by bands like Complex, England and Parameter. All their pressing were extremely limited, usually below the 99 copy tax threshold with many probably being pressed in even smaller numbers simply for distribution to family and friends.

The Hobbit, a folk trio are thought to have come from Cumbria, released this album of cover versions of material from The Strawbs, Magna Carta and Simon & Garfunkel on the Deroy label in 1970/71 (pressing not dated but based on the Deroy 709 catalogue number 1970 is probably correct). Although not the greatest of albums, it is going to be of huge interest to collectors of Folk or Private Pressings as it is an ultra rarity.

The full track listing is:

Rambler Gambler

Pack Up Your Sorrows

Wild Flying Dove

Sound of Silence

Both Sides Now

The Last Thing On My Mind

I’ll Show You Where To Sleep

Scarborough Fair

Another Day

Elizabethan

For Lovin’ Me

Flowers Never Bend (with the rainfall)

Airport Song

Painting Box

This copy was sold to me as Ex, and I agree that a casual visual grading of the vinyl would rate this as Ex as it is in great condition with just light marks visible under a good light. Play grading confirms that this is a very lo-fi mono recording (you can hear the tape heads engage and disengage between tracks) and there is fair degree of light surface noise...

On side one the most significant defect is a loud single pop at the end of Sound of Silence, there are other light clicks and pops but nothing too intrusive. Side two suffers from more frequent light clicks, one of which is repetitive for a few revolutions during Elizabethan - closer examination reveals a very light scratch and a few small marks (which could have been there from new) on the vinyl , which are the cause of the audible imperfections.

Overall then visually Ex was fair, but I think audibly a Vg grading is more accurate for the vinyl, but considering this is a cheap quality private pressing it is a very nice copy and let’s face it, when will you find a better one?

The Deroy standard pasted on labels are in great condition with a just a little creasing / tearing around the perimeter as shown in the photos. DER 709 A and B are also stamped in the vinyl run off grooves of each side.

The glossy sleeve has evidence of ringwear, a number of light staining marks and some corner knocks / creasing, but overall it is still in a very collectable condition which I would grade as Vg+.

Hopefully the numerous photos included with this listing will give you further indication of the great condition of this item.

So there you have it, a nice copy of an ultra rare Folk Private Pressing on the Deroy label - good luck with your bidding!

Grading:

All vinyl is played in full using a top quality turntable and headphones, to ensure an accurate grading is made and suitable comments relating to the pressing are included in the listing.

Payment:

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Postage:

All vinyl is packaged in new cardboard envelopes designed for the purpose, with additional stiffeners to ensure they survive the mailing experience.

Due to significant postage price increases coming into effect in the UK this month I have had to raise my rates as detailed below.

UK - £3.00 1st Class postage including Recorded Delivery.

Worldwide – My Standard rates are £5.00 Europe and £8.00 for the rest of the World. Items can be insured whilst in transit for an additional £5.00.