BIG DAISY - 'FEVER' 7" SINGLE, SERIOUSLY RARE NWOBHM

	£		566
	$		749

“Serious”.

That’s a word you’ll see a lot in this listing. This item is a serious rarity and I expect it to fetch serious money. Here we have the one and only 7”, Double-A Side vinyl single by Staffordshire-based NWOBHM outfit Big Daisy, featuring ‘Fever’ and ‘Footprints On The Water’. No-one seems exactly sure how many – or rather, how few – of these were made, but hen’s teeth seem plentiful by comparison…

This was released in 1980 on the Ellie Jay label (just like the original, also pretty rare, 7” by fellow-Midlanders Bashful Alley) and is widely regarded as one of the hardest-to-find artefacts from the NWOBHM era. The esteemed ‘NWOBHM Encyclopedia’ by Malc Macmillan describes this record as heavily Rush-influenced (‘Fever’ in particular) and states:

“The Big Daisy 7”, issued with a flimsy monochrome sleeve with a mirthsome picture postcard illustration of an amply-proportioned lady, is a seriously rare, big money item these days, and examples don’t exactly come onto the market on a regular basis.”

And there’s that word again. Serious. This one’s obviously for serious collectors…

The record has only had one careful owner – me – and while certainly not ‘mint’ is in excellent condition with no visible marks or scratches. I’ve probably only ever played it twice – and I’m very careful with my vinyl - and it’s been sitting safely in my record box, unplayed, for a very long time. Sleeve is pretty good with some ‘ringwear’ and creasing but no real rips, tears or yellowing.

I know for a fact that copies of this record have changed hands for over £600. Seriously! So I’m setting a sensible start price, which is way below that but still a serious sum.

Let battle commence!

Extra information added 24th January:

Although there are no bids as yet, I’ve had a lot of interest in this, and quite a few questions, particularly about the condition of the sleeve. As a result, I’ve taken a load more photos which you can access through this link:

http://s281.photobucket.com/albums/kk233/robtidd/Big%20Daisy%20Close-ups/

(Note to ebay – including this link does not contravene any of your rules & regulations about these things. It does not link to any ‘commercial’ site and merely provides more visual information for potential bidders.)

I’ve also been asked if I’ve ‘play tested’ the record to check if it has any surface noise, pops, crackles, skips etc. Unfortunately I am unable to do this as I no longer have a turntable (to my shame!) and haven’t had access to one for a good few years now. Which is why I will eventually be unloading all my vinyl – but that’s another story. Anyway, I assure you that it really is in excellent shape, hasn’t been played at all in the best part of the last 30 years and will genuinely only have been carefully played, by me, once or twice all that time ago. Honest!

The other thing I’ve been asked about is a possible trade (I’ve been offered some other rare NWOBHM singles in exchange for this one). I appreciate the offers, but I’m reducing my record collection, not trying to increase it, and given the potential value of this one it’s sale only, no trades.

And just one final thing – bidding. I know people tend to leave bidding until the last minute, often literally – I’ve done it myself often enough! In this case, though, just bear in mind that there’s a lot of interest so I’m expecting a lot of last-minute 'action'. So I guess I’m saying that if you’re going to bid, make sure you give yourself enough time to get your bid on…

(I'd just like to mention here that I am NOT a professional record or CD dealer, so I describe an item's condition as honestly as I can - I don't use any professional grading system. All items I sell - vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, VHS tapes, even guitars - are from my own personal collection. I only sell original items, not bootlegs or copies, and they've always been well looked after. I'm having a bit of a clearout at the moment, so please check out my other items, read my feedback and bid with confidence. Having said all that, please rest assured that any vinyl I sell will be shipped in proper, stiff card record mailers.)

Anyway, enough of my yakkin’. Now the boring stuff – my terms and conditions. If you can't abide by these, then please don't bid:

Payment is required STRICTLY within 7 days of auction end. That means if you’re paying by cheque or Postal Order I need to RECEIVE it within 7 days (a quick e-mail to let me know you’ve posted it would be appreciated). Item will be despatched on clearance of funds if paying by cheque (which includes Paypal's 'e-cheque', and they take MUCH longer to clear than a normal cheque. Does anyone actually like these things?). The only form of payment I will accept from non-UK bidders is Paypal.

If you can’t pay within 7 days then please don’t bid. Seriously!

In return I promise to acknowledge receipt of payment and let you know when item is despatched.

Shipping costs -

UK - Free

Europe - £2.50

Rest Of World - £4.00

(Due to the potential value of this item, postage costs will include insurance. I pack all my items securely in appropriate packaging and always obtain proof of postage, but I cannot and will not be held responsible for loss, damage, tampering or theft at the hands of any country's postal service. But cash on collection is always welcome!)

I will ONLY consider accepting returns or giving refunds if the item is not exactly as I describe it (which it will be!) or if the item is in any way faulty (which it won’t be!). And in the unlikely event that there’s a problem, you must contact me within 5 days of receipt of item.

My policy on feedback is simple: if you pay within the required time then that’s your part of the deal completed and I will leave you positive feedback. I’d then expect you to return the favour on receipt of your item. By the same token, non-payers will be reported to e-bay and negative feedback will be left - or whatever the equivalent is, now that e-bay doesn't allow sellers to leave negative feedback for buyers (therefore rendering buyers' feedback absolutely meaningless...).

Happy bidding and good luck!