I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

The Web : Fully Interlocking 1W / 1W 1st Stereo Press 1968 Deram

This first pressing plays with stunning quality on both sides with no real interference.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is superb - there are so many quiet sections and yet the playback is so clean and 'fresh' sounding.  Sonically it is incredible!  There are no intrusive ticks, clicks or pops and has only a handful of minor statics on a couple of tracks, half a second of actual static on another and minimal light static on the final part of 'War Or Peace'.  It truly is a superb listen.

I have to admit I was a little taken aback with this album!  I wasn't expecting much but the songs, melodies and musicianship is fantastic!  I definitely prefer it to their second Theraphosa Blondi as it more versatile and almost psychedelic in parts and you can see how and why they progressed onto I Spider.  In saying that it's surprising that all the writing was left to Dave Lawson on that album because the writing on this album is of a very high quality in my opinion and has, like I say, psychedelic / progressive overtones.  One of my finds of the year!

The laminated cover is in very good condition bordering on ex- with a little wear here and there, mainly on the back.  The original inner is in very good condition also.

SML.1025 // ZAL-8262-1W / ZAL-8263-1W // H 1 / U 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint / T5 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 ranges between Near Mint & Mint- (Part 5 Ex+)

The cover is VG++

The original inner sleeve is VG+

The labels are Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy look and no scratches.  I can only see a small number of faint hairlines when looking under a bright light plus a small section of 'fading' on both sides, more like very minor spotting, but this has zero impact on the superb audio.  It is very faint!  The Deram labels have minimal light spotting which you can only see when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle and very little spindle wear.

Play grading

The orchestral intro on 'City Of Darkness' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of very light statics and the next instrumental has no background at all.  Watson's opening vocal section plays with impeccable quality as does the following instrumental.  It really does play with such clear sound and it continues to play in the same precise way.  Minimal light static on the quiet ending, very minimal (!) and Mint- is still very much deserved.

The segue into 'Harold Dubbleyew' is 'as new' and thereafter plays to same high end standard.  As it says on the sleeve notes Watson is the 'most under-rated singer in Britain' and his vocal here is so impressive.  So high in the mix and the musicianship behind him is stunning.  A Mint version in every way!

The birdsong intro on 'Hatton Mill Morning' has no background - incredible really as it is so quiet.  The same goes for the opening vocal which plays beautifully with only a couple of mega light statics, the clarity is STUNNING I assure you!  Hard to believe this is a 1968 vinyl and whilst there are 4/5 minor statics towards the end they hardly require a mention as they are so darn quiet!  However, I will say Near Mint just to be on the safe side.  It's such a quiet track and the clarity of sound and audio definition really is breathtaking.

A superb segue into 'Green Side Up' and it 'plays' superbly with no intrusion and this jazzy number proceeds to play with a sonic quality that is second to none.  Mint

Some fine moments during 'Wallpaper' showing just how versatile they were on this their very first album.  The only 'intrusion' is a some very minimal distortion on Watson's vocal towards the end and one light static sound that lasts for all of half a second.  It still plays so well and Near Mint- is fair.

The intro on 'Did You Die Four Years Ago Tonight' plays to perfection and the following instrumental / first vocal is on the same level.  A very quirky number, so unique, and really showing their talent.  The remainder is of the same high end standard.  It's progressive or maybe psychedelic in some ways.  A superb ending also!  Mint-

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There's all sorts going on with the 'Watcha Kelele' intro (!) but it plays so clearly with no intrusion and from then on this African infused number plays with perfect clarity and depth.  Let's say Mint-

The strings intro on 'Reverend J. McKinnon' is flawless and the opening vocal is just as clean and precise.  It continues in the same way and again the sonic quality is fantastic!  It plays beautifully with a rare precision and I cannot rate it highly enough.  You could not find a better version and is Mint all the way.  What. A. Version!

'Sunday Joint' is of then same quality - from start to finish there is no intrusion, not even a dust tick, I cannot fault it.  Mint

The beginning of 'War Or Peace' is very quiet (the battlefield sequence) and yet it plays so clearly with no interference and the following brass instrumental is 'as new'.  The spoken section is superb with only a handful of minor statics towards the end.  This versatile track is made up of five parts and Watson's vocal on East Meets West plays with sublime clarity and depth.  The Battle Scene is just as impressive and Conscience again plays with genuine quality, a couple of minor static 'moments' but nothing intrusive.  The very quiet instrumental section that follows plays with stunning precision with just one minor static and the closing instrumental pieces play with great quality once more.  There is some light static during Epilogue for a few seconds but it is quiet and does not really intrude on the quality of the listen.  The 'vocal' plays very clearly indeed.  The vast majority here ranges between Near Mint and Mint with only the final section grading as Ex+ and overall the sonic quality is so impressive, a stunning version.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent order with not very much shelf wear.  The top edge is very clean and the bottom edge has only minimal rubbing.  The thin spine remains 100% legible and is only slightly discoloured with a small number of minor creases / marks.  All four corners have only light wear and the opening edge is very clean with only a couple of minor 'waves'.  The laminated front cover is in great shape with no marking or laminate wear and the back cover which is not laminated has only minimal marking and some ringwear which is more noticeable near the bottom edge.  There are a handful of small creases next to the spine also.  On reflection perhaps a VG++ grade is about right but it's a very presentable cover nonetheless.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has only a couple of minor marks and some creasing also.  There are no actual side splits although there is a little wear near the bottom of one edge.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SML.1025 // ZAL-8262-1W / ZAL-8263-1W // H 1 / U 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

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REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!