FAIRPORT CONVENTION (1st) - RARE ORIG UK 1968 EX++ LP

	£		206
	$		273

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering the Groundbreaking Classics to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options.

Artist or Band: FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Album Title: Fairport Convention.

Producer(s): Joe Boyd & Tod Lloyd.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Time Will Show the Wiser; I Don’t Know Where I Stand; If (Stomp); Decameron; Jack O’Diamonds; Portfolio.

Side 2: Chelsea Morning; Sun Shade; The Lobster; It’s Alright Ma, It’s Only Witchcraft; One Sure Thing; M1 Breakdown.

Label/Format: Polydor (please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both ultra clean, very attractive with real freshness retained. A copy that appears hardly even played with any spindle traces present being tiny, few and very faint. This is a class example and one of the best you will ever see or hear.

Cat Number: 583035.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 144 grams. A very good solid weight and typical of it’s era.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Scarce and getting harder to find all the time. Slightly harder to find in mono but do not underestimate the rarity of a super-clean stereo copy either. Especially so with a cover in stunning condition. More often seen with often serious and disfiguring laminate issues including lifting with large blisters, creasing (often in manufacture), dulling, mottling and cracking. This one is superb with little to fault and is up there with the very best I have ever seen or offered. Even the inner sleeve is in super condition and without doubt, this copy has been played little and has been carefully stored by a discerning collector.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: 583035 A // 1 420 1 4 2 & 583035 B // 1 420 1 3 1

Musicians: Judy Dyble – lead vocals, electric and acoustic autoharps, recorder and piano; Ian MacDonald on vocals, jews harp; Richard Thompson, vocals, lead electric and acoustic guitars and mandolin; Simon Nicol, vocals, electric 12- and 6-string and acoustic guitars, banjo and violin; Tyger Hutchings, bass and Martin Lamble, percusssion and violin. Clare Lowther guests on cello.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Still the definitive band for the genre - and this is where it all started. This is not quite the Fairport folk-rock formula we came to love on the three Sandy Denny era masterpieces that followed this incredible debut. This has strong psych elements embedded into the songs and has been featured in the Record Collector monthly magazine’s features on the best UK psych albums of all time. This almost lost masterpiece justifiably received rave reviews from the magazine’s writers. Never an easy record just to find on vinyl, most offered are reissues, and it’s the only album this wonderful band made on Polydor. It was reissued in the early 70s with a very different, somewhat drab cover that simply does not even compare to this superb original. Judy Dyble makes this album special - only the wonderful Sandy Denny was worthy of replacing her after this sublime debut. This folk-psych classic can justifiably be hailed as ‘groundbreaking’ and will appeal to most serious music fans, not just folk collectors. It’s one of the most desirable albums to own within its field, but goes way beyond specialist territory. Even in these early years, Thompson’s song writing and guitar skills were way ahead of the rest. The album is beautifully produced by Joe Boyd and Tod Lloyd, the production is quite wonderful, it does exactly what is intended. Issued when folk and psych were truly in vogue and even ‘fashionable’, this album remains one of the most important. Judy’s vocals are pure class and on the wonderful cover of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Chelsea Morning’ it even matches Miss Mitchell’s standards. One of the leading transition albums that took psych into folk and this will rarely be experienced with better overall sound. Even the stereo copies were still often subjected to old mono record players, trashed and ruined by piledriver thick heavyweight stylus from yesteryear. As stated, the record looks superb and plays beautifully with practically nothing unwanted. Although the cover was fully laminated, it’s rarely seen looking really nice as it always seems to suffer friction rubs and dulling and most rife with heavy creases. Being so dark, this is hugely revealing of all blemishes. This has very few at all and, incredibly, it’s fully adhered bar a sliver trace on the spine edge, so small it barely even shows and has minimal traces of dulling. One to hold and enjoy, even cherish, a wonderful all-round example of this historically important issue.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Moderate in theory, but only a very few escape major (often very heavy) creasing, severe dulling and laminate lifting. I have seen some very sorry looking examples of this before making this one look truly exceptional.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): this being ultra critical and a Mint(-) grading is really appropriate. A single fully laminated format that was printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day. This one has the unique stereo Catalogue Number with the third digit being a 3 instead of a 2. A cover unique to the earliest pressings before being reissued in a more budget looking, bland effort in the early 1970s. This original is in a different league of course with supreme artwork of the earliest incarnation of this remarkable band as seen in close-up.

Lamination: Front & Back A hugely challenging cover to find in such high conditions mainly due to quite thin card and the very dark artwork that emphasises blemishes and marks so freely. Firstly, and I consider this a massive bonus, this has barely any traces of unsightly laminate lifting. I have seen huge blistering on this cover before and it really does spoil the appearance somewhat. This has just a fine and very small sliver on the front spine edge but it barely even shows and both sides look stunning. Gleaming with freshness and the intense coloured artwork looks simply magnificent. Creasing is the next most important factor, and here, more good news. The back has barely any and the front just a couple of three on the top edge, these being quite fine and pretty small. Any others are tiny, fine few and faint. The third significant factor is friction rubs and dulling: under light just the slightest traces and quite possibly the least I have ever seen. The back incredibly has barely any traces around the record rim shape or label and this is VERY unusual to say the least. The laminate still retains a lovely lush and rich shine with supreme lustre. So the lovely artwork of the young original Fairports can be enjoyed to the maximum. Even the opening edges both sides, where the laminate ends short of full width, sees the exposed strip barely blemishes, still clean, crisp and unchipped or burred. Actual surface marks are minuscule and both sides are very impressive and attractive – few will better this significantly I feel sure – more would be more than happy just to match it.

Top Edge: As made, totally unworn and very straight, being thinnly made, this is equally unusual.

Bottom Edge: As above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with no wear and guaranteed, untrimmed. Record enters on this right outside edge and it will prove near impossible to find neater or sharp. Beware of trimming, the exposed strips will be removed, the ultimate definitive proof this has and never will happen here.

Spine and Text: A superb spine that is practically as made again. Constructed quite thin but very solid, straight and nigh-on devoid of compression. The ends are slightly tapered in manufacture and these delicate areas remain very neat. All text unworn and all the laminate solid and intact with superb shine, clarity and no peeling. Few will get close to this one. All closed laminated edges were tested with my fingertips for abrasions and cracks and none have any, simply amazing.

Corners: All four practically as made again with superb pointed definition retained with any tip rubs very tiny.

Cover Summary: A near connoisseur example of a deceptively wear-prone cover. Logic states with full laminate, it should be tough and resist wear. But the laminate is so often the culprit for wear on this one. The laminate so often refuses to stay attached and even a minor knock will make it blister. And this does seem intolerant of friction rubs and creasing. With all that in mind, and these observations based on fact, not supposition, this is a wonderful cover that sets the bar very high.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a typical Polydor inner being in better than typical condition. This being clean and showing far less ageing than most, this has little infact. The polylining is firm and ultra clear and seen to near perfection inside two perfectly crisp and neat circle windows. One corner crease and the odd slight ruffle but all edges unsplit. This has a date code of 099.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): and a hugely impressive looking 1960s record. Very clean and retains a lovely rich shine, intense black and quite heavily pressed. This being critically graded, like the cover, this is a mere whisker of my highest MInt(-) grading. Any surface marks are ultra fine and faint and only seen critically under light. No damaging old needles have been near this record and visually this will please most-all collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This elusive and wonderful record plays even above it’s high visual grading and that is near perfect with practically nothing to fault. Incredible sound with no distortion, never take this for granted on any record this great age, all frequencies remaining sharp and clear. Sound quality is very high indeed with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound and no significant pops or clicks. The stereo mix is lovely and gives a more open version of the music compared to the mono, clearly it images better too. Tracking is effortless and this record offers master-tape clarity and quality. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful original record. This copy will prove immebsely to find better and is a great opportunity for the discerning vinyl collector to own this gem. Do not lose this beautiful copy, both record and cover are exceptional.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.