TRAFFIC MR FANTASY PINK ISLAND LABEL SUPERB VINYL LP EX

	£		46
	$		61

TRAFFIC VINYL LP

MR FANTASY

ORIGINAL / FIRST ISLAND LABEL - PINK WITH BLACK / ORANGE 'EYE' LOGO - YEAR 1967

 CATALOGUE NO. ILP-961

STEREO

MATRICES: ILPS 961 A & ILPS 961 B

TRACK LISTING..PLEASE SEE PHOTOGRAPHS OF LABELS

OCCASIONALLY, BUT NOT OFTEN, THROUGH A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF PEOPLE, PLACES AND CIRCUMSTANCES SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENS AND FOR ME MR FANTASY IS ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL HAPPENINGS. IT MAY BE THAT THE PLACE HE WAS CONCEIVED IN THE MINDS OF WINWWOOD, MASON, WOOD & CAPALDI WAS SOMEWHERE IN THE WELSH COUNTRYSIDE CLOSE TO THE LITERARY TOWN OF HAY ON WYE AS, ACCORDING TO A FRIEND OF MINE, ABOUT THAT TIME THOSE GUYS CALLED INTO HIS GARAGE IN HAY AND BORROWED A GALLON OF PETROL FROM HIM - HE SAYS THAT HE'S STILL WAITING TO BE PAID FOR IT BUT HE'S NOT BOTHERED BECAUSE THE STORY HAS PROVIDED HIM WITH MANY A FREE DRINK ! THIS IS OF COURSE ANECDOTAL, AND I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH OF IT IS TRUE, BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT FOR ME MR FANTASY REPRESENTS ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST IMPORTANT PROGRESSIVE ROCK ALBUMS OF THE 1960'S AND STILL HOLDS ITS OWN WITH THE BEST OF TODAYS MUSIC - THIS ONE, IN PARTICULAR THE VINYL, IS A SUPERB EXAMPLE.  A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE ALBUM AND INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND. 

 I RATE THE COMPONENTS OF THIS ALBUM AS FOLLOWS:

VINYL ( visual / physical appraisal ) - THIS IS ONE OF THOSE BEAUTIFUL EARLY ISLAND HEAVY RIGID VINYL'S WHICH LOOKS AND FEELS ABSOLUTELY SUPERB - IT ACTUALLY GLISTENS IN THE LIGHT. THERE ARE THE USUAL LIGHT SCATTERING OF WISPY, SUPERFICIAL SURFACE HAIRLINE SCRATCHES OF THE TYPE THAT CAUSE NO SIGNIFICANT AUDIO INTERFERENCE. LOVELY GLOSSY BLACK SHINE. LIES FLAT ON A MOVING TURNTABLE - MY RATING 90% ( please also read the real audio / sound check below )

LABELS - FIRST RATE CONDITION, BRILLIANT AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FAULT, LOVELY COOL 'ICE' PINK LABELS WHICH SHOW THE LITTLE VINYL MOULDING IMPERFECTIONS UNDERNEATH - GORGEOUS YOU COULD ALMOST FRAME THEM AND HANG THEM ON A WALL - NO SIGNS OF WEAR OR DAMAGE IN THE SPINDLE HOLE, ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT. (Please see photographs) - MY RATING 94%

OUTER COVER - THE 'ACHILLES HEEL' OF THIS ALBUM BY Chris Wood and CCS Advertising Associates - IT'S A GREAT COVER, EXTERNALLY LAMINATED, BUT A FLIMSY CONSTRUCTION AND AFTER NEARLY FORTY YEARS MOST OF THEM BEGIN TO LOOK 'EDGY' AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION. THE SINGLE LAYER FRONT SHEET, HINGED IN THE CENTRE REVEALING INTERNAL CENTRE LOADING FOR THE VINYL TAKES THE BRUNT OF THE WEAR, BUT THIS ONES IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION. TOP AND BOTTOM EDGES SHOW CREASE MARKS AND THE TOP IS FRAYED ALONG THE EDGE. THERE IS LIMITED DELAMINATION CLOSE TO THE SPINE FRONT AND BACK. ALSO SOME IMPRESSION FRONT AND BACK WHERE THE COVER FOLLOWS THE CONTOUR OF THE VINYL. I THINK GENERALLY IT'S VERY GOOD BUT THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW IT WELL AND GIVE A FAIR IMPRESSION SO YOU CAN MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND - MY RATING 75%

SPINE - SLIGHTLY SQUASHED, AS MOST ARE BY THIS TIME, BUT ALL INTACT AND GENERALLY VERY GOOD. THE 'A' IS SCRAPED ON TRAFFIC AND THE 'P' IS SCRAPED ON THE CATALOGUE NUMBER. THE TOP AND BOTTOM ARE FRAYED BUT OTHERWISE EVERYTHINGS AS IT SHOULD BE- MY RATING 82%

INNER SLEEVE - WHITE PAPER SLEEVE WITH ANTISTATIC POLY-LINER, A LITTLE CREASED AND DISCOLOURED BUT VERY GOOD CONDITION - MY RATING 85%

REAL AUDIO / SOUND CHECK: TO ASSIST BUYERS I HAVE DECIDED TO ADD A SPECIFIC AUDIO QUALITY COMMENT BASED ON MY HEARING. I HAVE NOT DONE THIS BEFORE BECAUSE TO SOME EXTENT IT IS AN ‘INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL THING’ BUT WHEN SOMEBODY IS MAKING CLAIMS OF VERY GOOD, EXCELLENT OR MINT ABOUT A VINYL I THINK BUYERS ARE ENTITLED TO HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT HOW IT SOUNDS. I PLAY ALL MY VINYLS ON A PRO-JECT DEBUT lll DECK WITH THE DOWNFORCE SET AT 17.5 mN (1.75 g) THROUGH AN AMPLIFIER WITH BASS AND TREBLE SET AT ZERO BALANCE, UNFILTERED. I WILL RATE THEM IN PERCENTAGE TERMS, AS I DO FOR THE OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE ALBUM; WITH OF COURSE A SPECIFIC COMMENT IF THEY SKIP, JUMP, SLIDE, SLIP OR SLUR ALTHOUGH I DO NOT EXPECT TO BE SELLING ANY VINYLS WITH THOSE DEFECTS. FOR THE ALBUM IN THIS LISTING MY RESULTS FOLLOW IN GREEN PRINT.

BRILLIANT, WITHOUT DOUBT THE BEST FEATURE OF THIS ALBUM IS THE AUDIO QUALITY. THE LABELS ARE SUPERB, THE VINYL LOOKS EXCELLENT AND PLAYS EVEN BETTER. AS VINYL'S GO I CANNOT FAULT IT IN AUDIO TERMS FOR MY OWN STANDARDS. THERE IS NO OTHER ALBUM I WOULD PREFER TO LISTEN TO FROM THIS ERA AND THIS IS THE BEST EXAMPLE I HAVE EVER HEARD. THERE IS SURFACE SOUND AT THE START AND BETWEEN TRACKS BUT IT'S MINIMAL AND I DON'T CARE BECAUSE THE PURE AUDIO PLEASURE SURPASSES ANY MINOR BACKGROUND RUSTLE. WHEN THE MUSIC CUTS IN THAT'S ALL I CAN HEAR. FULL BODIED, SURROUNDING SOUND WHICH MOVES THROUGH THE WHOLE SPACE IT IS BEING PLAYED IN - AND DEAR MR FANTASY....WOW - AND I CAN'T HELP BUT MENTION THE TRULY WONDERFUL CONTRIBUTION OF CHRIS WOOD THROUGHOUT THIS CLASSIC. THIS IS YET ANOTHER OF THOSE OCCASIONS WHEN I BECOME ACUTELY AWARE OF THE BENEFITS OF RECORDING ON VINYL AND THIS ALBUM EMPHASISES THE ADVANTAGES OF THIS AUDIO RECORDING MEDIUM. DEFINITELY NO DISTORTION, NO JUMPS, NO SKIPS, NO STICKS. NO SLIDES, NO SLURS - THE PLAY IS CONTINUOUS. I RATE ON MY 'RAW PLAY' STANDARD AND THAT PRODUCES A RATING IN THIS CASE OF 90% (thoroughly enjoyable listening)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PERCENTAGE RATINGS GIVEN DO NOT COMPLY WITH ANY NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS THEY MERELY REFLECT MY OPINION BASED ON A COMPARISON WITH NEW BEING 100%. HOWEVER, IF YOU PREFER DESCRIPTIONS OF CONDITION USING A MORE WIDELY RECOGNISED INDUSTRY STANDARD MY INTERPRETATION OF THE 'RECORD COLLECTORS' GRADING SYSTEM SUGGESTS THAT THE COMPONENTS OF THIS ALBUM WOULD BE CATEGORISED AS OUTER COVER 'GOOD' TO 'VERY GOOD' AND VINYL 'EXCELLENT'+

DESCRIPTIONS are given in good faith, but they are based on my opinion and standards.  Bidders should note that they offer at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information about the item before they enter the bidding process.  Please ask questions before you become involved with the auction, NOT afterwards! Where I list sizes/dimensions they are either as stated on the item/label by the supplier/manufacturer or reasonably accurately hand tape measured; however, they are not necessarily precise, should be taken as approximate and not relied upon where absolute precision is required.

INFORMATION: Whilst I take care to try and provide accurate information on the original listing it is possible that new information may become available to me afterwards. I therefore strongly recommend that all bidders read any revisions and the ongoing questions / answers section of the listing before bidding as they may contain updated information which could affect your valuation of the item(s). In the event that new information is published, after the time you have become the high bidder, which adversely affects your valuation of the item(s) and you wish to withdraw from the bidding process please email your request and we will use the cancel bid option with no ongoing liability to any of the parties involved in the auction.

PHOTOGRAPHS: All photographs contained within this listing show the actual item (s) offered – they are not catalogue, archive or library photographs.  Furthermore they are direct images and not re-touched or modified in any way. I try to make good and comprehensive use of images on the listing in order to give the prospective bidder the best opportunity to evaluate the item(s); however it is possible that in some circumstances the photographs can enhance the appearance of the item(s) due to compression so please take this into account before bidding and do not hesitate to ask for more images or information which I am happy to send by attachment to email. This is particularly recommended with overseas buyers where returns are often not a viable option.  

OVERSEAS BUYERS WELCOME – I am pleased to deal with buyers from anywhere in the world. My method of LP packaging reduces the risk to your valuable vinyls & covers in transit. Makes no sense to me to buy something important and then play the ‘high risk of damage game’ when having it shipped around the world – I hope you feel the same. Packing and Postage charges differ internationally SO I ALWAYS RECOMMEND THAT OVERSEAS BUYERS ASK FOR THESE COSTS BEFORE BIDDING. Unless the prospective bidder / buyer states a preference I always quote Airmail as Surface Mail does not usually cost much less and takes a long time (again more risk of damage or loss I think). Also please note that for British Pounds £3.30 extra you can have an International Signed for service which includes insurance up to £32. Insurance quotations to a value you specify in advance of shipping are available on request. PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR REASONS OF CONVENIENCE AND CURRENCY CONVERSION I CAN ONLY ACCEPT PAYMENTS BY PAYPAL FROM OVERSEAS BUYERS.

WHERE POSTAL INSURANCE IS INCLUDED IT IS SUBJECT TO ROYAL MAIL STANDARD TERMS & CONDITIONS. QUOTATIONS FOR OTHER INSURANCE OR PREMIUMS TO COVER INCREASED VALUES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

PACKING & POSTAGE:  Vinyl’s are removed from covers and inner sleeves and placed in transit sleeves. All components are packaged sepaprate from each other but together in a polythene cover for waterproofing. They are then sealed between two fluted card stiffeners taking care not to crush the spine. I use ‘Premium Quality 600 Micron Card Mailers’ with ‘Ultra Safe’ double 3.5 cm. wide latex strips across the whole of the mailer which provides excellent adhesion and protection. Internally I use 2 of the highest grade ‘B’ flute corrugated card stiffeners to prevent bending, deformation or edge/corner creasing. Packing & postage prices are NOT negotiable on items dispatched individually or separately. However, if you are a similar time multiple buyer where all items purchased are being sent to the same address and they can be combined safely, you can ask for a discounted quotation before bidding. I will always try to be fair with buyers on p&p costs but if you do not want to pay the prices on the listings or quotations please do not bid.  I am not interested in hearing from successful bidders afterwards questioning and complaining about cost of packing and postage! I always keep proof of posting but unless you pay for Recorded Delivery, International Signed For, Special Delivery or Full Insurance I may not be able to assist you with recovery of the item or any of the costs.

PAYMENT: I accept payment by PayPal only from overseas buyers and Paypal, Personal Cheques and Postal Orders in British Pounds Sterling. Cash is an option but only by Royal Mail Special Delivery and no coinage (rounded up). Payment must be completed/cleared into my account within 7 days of the auction ending otherwise I reserve the right to void the transaction

CANCELLATION: The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid, entirely at his discretion and without giving prior notice, in the following circumstances:

Where they have reason to believe that the bidder has not complied with the terms of their offer as set out on the listing.

The bidder’s feedback is of such limited quantity that it cannot be regarded as reliable.

The bidder’s feedback is of dubious quality and/or gives the seller any indication or reason to doubt the credibility of the bid.

RETURNS: I DO have a standard returns policy (please see further down in this listing) AND I am always prepared to consider anything which is reasonable. If you have a problem with an item which you buy from me for a reason which was not apparent or disclosed prior to purchase as a result of my omission or fault then I will usually accept return and full refund, including postal charges. I will always try and deal with problems fairly providing that the buyer does not use the negative feedback system.

MY FEEDBACK POLICY: I LEAVE FEEDBACK FOR BUYERS AFTER THEY INFORM ME THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED THE ITEM(S). IF THERE IS A PROBLEM ON RECEIPT I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE IT IN A FAIR AND REASONABLE WAY PROVIDING THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN USED CARELESSLY. PERSONALLY I DO NOT USE THE NEGATIVE FEEDBACK SYSTEM; I CONSIDER IT TO BE DIVISIVE AND COUNTER PRODUCTIVE. IF I DON’T LIKE A DEAL I JUST DON’T DEAL WITH THAT SUPPLIER AGAIN. IF YOU EVER RECEIVE SOMETHING FROM ME THAT YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH CONTACT ME ON email: somemightsell_e@btinternet.com AND WE WILL SORT IT OUT.

I TRY TO TAKE GREAT CARE WHEN PROVIDING INFORMATION BUT, AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS SECTION BELOW, I AM INDEBTED TO DAVE FOR DRAWING MY ATTENTION TO AN ERROR, BY WAY OF CONTRADICTORY INFORMATION, CONTAINED IN THIS LISTING. IN FACT I AM SO EMBARRASSED I AM WEARING A 'HAIR SHIRT' WHILE I'M TYPING THIS ! FOR CLARIFICATION PLEASE READ THE QUESTION AND ANSWER BELOW WHICH CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS A MONO RECORDING. ALSO, THERE IS NO 'S' IN THE MATRICES; THEY ARE ILP-961 A AND ILP-961 B.

IF, FOR ANY REASON, THE EVENTUAL SUCCESSFUL BIDDER WANTS TO WITHDRAW THEIR BID DUE TO THE CONFUSION MY LISTING HAS CAUSED THERE WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM.