Writing On the Wall Middle Earth 303 The Power Of the Picts Scottish Psych

$

245

Writing On the Wall were out of Edinburgh, Scotland and originally known as The Jury before moving to London and changing their name.  They are considered one of the top Scottish bands to come out of the first psych era, and their work shows up on many psych and progressive compilations.  This is an original copy of their Middle Earth LP "The Power Of the Picts".  Matrix #'s are MDLS 303 A1 and MDLS 303 B1.  The record includes a misspelling of the engineer's name (misspelled as Andrew Hendrixson) and track #4 on Side 1 ("Aries" is credited to "composer unknown").  I have attached a clip of the only playback audio issues: there is a small mark at the beginning of Track #2 on Side #1 (see photo), it doesn't seem to be a scratch but residue from a drip of something (?)  plus there is a fine horizontal (running with the grooves) hairline at this spot and there are 3 light clicks a few seconds into Track #2 and, a few seconds later, 3 more light clicks (attached clip includes the entire section); at cue-in of Side #2, there are a couple of clicks but there is nothing obvious on the vinyl so that might be a pressing issue (attached clip includes a sample of cue-in, after the Side #1 clip).  Other than these two noted small issues, the vinyl is clean with excellent gloss, a few superfine hairlines and one small very light mark that cannot be felt, VG++ condition, excellent clear play.  Thin Garrod & Lofthouse cardboard outer sleeve grades VG: ring wear more noticeable on shiny sliver rear cover; edge wear especially along spine; corner and edge creasing; rubbing wear; no splits; graphics in decent shape, clear band photo on rear cover.  Super LP, a must for any serious progressive/psych collection.   
Free domestic US standard shipping!  See below for cost of US Priority Shipping.  
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl, no shipping in a used Tide box or a retrofitted USPS box!  I almost always ship within two days, usually the next day, and will have a notice in my store on the rare occasions I am not able to meet that timeframe.  Shipping cost includes the cost of the materials.  And, of course I will combine shipping.  I make no money on shipping, what you pay is what I pay! 
I am happy to ship Internationally.  Note that International rates depend upon the value of the item and where you live.  Please disregard eBay's automatic shipping calculator for International shipping, wait for my invoice!  Anything under $125 going anywhere will go by First Class International, the least expensive US mailing service.  Anything over $125 going anywhere except packages going to Japan, UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany (all of these listed countries continue to qualify for the less expensive First Class International shipping) requires Priority International with tracking.  Priority International is the least expensive US International shipping option that provides insurance and full tracking.  I prefer not to organize it this way, but due to concerns and problems with certain postal services, I need to protect myself on higher priced items.  Finally, anything over $250 going anywhere requires Priority International with tracking unless prior arrangements are made (and I will make exceptions for overseas customers who have successfully purchased from me previously, but this must be agreed in advance).  Again, this is for my protection since I have responsibility for the packages until they're delivered to you.  For all packages sent by Priority International,  I pay the cost of insurance and do not charge for the packing materials, to help defray the shipping cost.  Also be aware that USPS regulations require the value be written on Priority International custom forms in order to qualify the insurance.  On the bright side, packages do get their quicker.  I am certainly interested in minimizing shipping related costs, since I realize they are high, so don't hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do this before bidding or buying):

• PRIORITY 12" DOMESTIC: 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
• FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL 12": (Canada $5 less) 1 12" for $21.50; 2 for $24; 3 for $28; 4 for $37, 5-9 for $52.  
• PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL:  Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about $45.  I cannot give a precise cost here since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close.    

Quotes provided for others quantities or mixed shipments. 

• Mint (M) (only if sealed).  Not used for 7".
• Near Mint (NM): Very little evidence of use, glossy surface, minimal vinyl marking; labels are clean and crisp with no writing, ring wear or significant spindle marking; jackets are clean and square, no writing, no splits, no ring wear.
• Very Good+ (VG+) : Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface has light scuffs or very light scratches (not feelable) that will not significantly degrade the sound; labels are clean with only minor ring wear, any writing or sticker/residue is discrete, only slight soiling or dirtiness, drill hole OK if label otherwise clean; jackets are clean with no more than light ring wear, minor corner dings, if writing on the cover it is discrete, no more than one slight seam split, light creasing, cutout hole or corner only if rest of jacket is free of defects - multiple flaws of the types described will drop grade.
• Very Good (VG): Vinyl shows significant use with more scuffing or light scratches but will play through without skipping, may be slight warping but will play through (without having to tape a penny to the tonearm like the old days!) and nothing that will cause a significant bobbing of the tone arm, will have surface noise particularly at intro and in soft passages, diminished or irregular gloss; labels may have significant ring wear, more prominent writing or stickers/residue, drill hole, more soiling or dirtiness; sleeves may have multiple splits, writing, creasing, soiling or dirtiness, drill holes or cut corners, and/or ring wear.  This is a common grade for older 45's - they were often stored outside of the sleeve which lead to multiple light surface hairline scratches which have not caused significant damage to the vinyl grooves - they will still afford an enjoyable listen.
• Good (G): Infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a significantly higher grade.  Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, poor gloss, significant noise on playing but should play through; labels may have glaring writing, significant ring wear, extensive sticker residue, dirtiness; sleeves may have substantial ring wear, extensive seam splitting, taping, prominent writing.