THE KINKS: ARTHUR - ORIGINAL AND COMPLETE
£
114
$
151
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Description
Here is a lovely and complete original copy of one of the rarest, most sought after and yet most overlooked albums by The Kinks - 'Arthur or The Decline and Fall of the British Empire'. This is an original 1969 stereo UK vinyl LP copy on the heaviest first pressing blue Pye label (NSPL 18317) with first pressing A1/B1 matrices. This is the very first pressing gatefold sleeve with cartoon kangaroo pouch containing the rare die-cut Queen Victoria pullout lyric insert (so often lost, torn or damaged). If you didn't know or hadn't guessed from the artwork package, Arthur is a Ray Davies concept album (originally commissioned as a TV soundtrack) about Brits emigrating to Oz. Alongside the classic Victoria (in which Ray Davies is still talking about village greens!) and Shangri-La, this sparse-selling album contains some of the finest and sharpest songs the great Ray ever wrote, including Yes Sir, No Sir, Some Mother's Son and the gorgeous Young and Innocent days. The shiny black well cared for first pressing vinyl is in strong VG+ condition (UK Record Collector grading) with just the odd light wispy mark here and there (certainly never abused in any way) and one little blemish across the first track of side one which is none-sounding. Both sides of the vinyl perform superbly and brightly, confirming the evidence of minimal spindle activity on these beautiful pastel blue and black labels. Forty years on Arthur's fragile laminated thin card gatefold sleeve is almost impossible to find in archive condition but this example is nevertheless presentable enough. There is no unwanted writing and the kangaroo pouch is fully intact and undamaged but there is the usual wear and tear at the top and bottom of the spine, patches of laminate lift, some edgewear top and bottom and a little grubbiness on the rear. This stereo-stickered mono sleeve likely rates Good+. Having said that there are probably few survivors these days in this sort of serviceable condition. The rare original die-cut card Queen Victoria pullout lyric insert is in VG+ condition, still whole, undamaged, unrepaired and un-tampered with, bearing only the usual creasing on the 'Pull' tab, which is inevitable due to its positioning at the central crease of the gatefold. Here then is a very presentable and wholly complete copy of The Kinks' Arthur for your collection and enjoyment. Good luck if you are bidding. Please check out my other items as I am adding goodies as and when I can ...
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