FREE, HEARTBREAKER, 1973 UK *1st PRESS* "STERLING LH"

	£		27
	$		36

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

Here for auction is a superb example of the last studio album by FREE titled “HEARTBREAKER”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9217. This is an ORIGINAL 1973 UK STEREO *1st PRESSING* on the PINK RIM ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with A-2U/B-2U matrix numbers, and “STERLING” stamped in the run-outs of both sides (indicating that the mastering was carried out at the famous Sterling Studios in New York). Complete with UK made 1st ISSUE ROBOR SLEEVE with the “WISHING WELL” sticker still present, and the 1st issue picture/lyric inner sleeve.

The matt finish single sleeve, printed and made in the UK by Robor Ltd., is in EXCELLENT CONDITION. It retains its original rigidity and shows barely any loss of condition. The white front and pale blue back covers are still nice and bright with only very light age discoloration. The front and back covers are unmarked with only a few small creases near the edges. The top and bottom edges are near perfect. The opening edges are excellent with only very light signs of wear. The corners are lovely and square with barely any wear at all. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible. The spine ends are neatly crimped (only on genuine 1st issue sleeves). There are no rips, unwanted stickers or writing. Overall a beautiful example of this fragile 1st issue sleeve!!

The record is solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. It retains a deep mirror like shine.

The stamped matrix numbers and stampers are:

Side A – ILPS 9217  A-2U    STERLING

Side B – ILPS 9217  B-2U    STERLING LH 2 

[ILPS 9217 A-1 and ILPS 9217 B-(1 crossed out) are also hand etched in the run-outs].

Visually both sides are in close to EXCELLENT CONDITION with just light surface marks evident under bright light (mostly from taking the record in and out of the inner sleeve). These are purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems. The beautiful Pink Rim Island labels are unmarked with only a few very light spindle traces near the centres. I am confident that the record has not been played very many times.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a particularly loud-cut and vibrant recording. All frequencies play crystal clear and there in no discernable deterioration in the sound quality. It is very hard to find a copy of “Heartbreaker” with near faultless playback. Many of the tracks have quiet sensitive passages and silences which are easily spoiled by excessive crackle and surface sound. I have owned many copies of this album over the years, and nearly all suffered from this problem to some degree. This one is an exception. Both sides play to a very high standard – no pops or loud clicks, and very low levels of unwanted noise. A significantly better playing copy may be very difficult to find!!

Complete with the original 1st issue picture/lyric inner sleeve. This is made out of paper rather than the commoner card of later issues. This has a neatly repaired split to the bottom edge (from the inside), and a small tear to the one opening edge.

OVERALL A SUPERB COMPLETE EXAMPLE OF THIS CLASSIC ALBUM WITH A BEAUTIFUL SLEEVE AND NEAR PERFECT PLAYBACK - DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!

International postage costs: Europe £5.50, Worldwide £7.95

International buyers: payment by PayPal only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.