ICARUS The Marvel World of Icarus V. RARE Orig UK 72 LP

	£		430
	$		570

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: ICARUS

Album Title: The Marvel World of Icarus.

Producer(s): Jack Dorsey.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Prologue; Spiderman; Fantastic Four; Hulk; Madame Masque; Conan The Barbarian; Iron Man; Thor.

Side 2: Black Panther; The Man Without Fear; Silver Surfer; Things Thing; Captain America.

Label/Format: Pye (International). [Please see my label scan].

Label Conditions: Both in supreme condition: ultra clean and attractive with only very light and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. A very tight fit on my LP12 spindle. Yes, you guessed, another from that collection of barely played records, try finding this better.

Cat Number: NSPL 28161.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 147 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Rare: another from the ‘oneaday’ vaults, and also try finding a better example, this from the same incredible collection as the Fire ‘Magic Shoemaker’ and Hawkwind debut blue Libery I am currently offering (or was, depending when you read this piece). Opinion seems to conflict on the approval of Marvel Comic’s on the issue of this record. Some say they were okay with it but the more considered opinions suggest they were not happy, demanded fifty per cent royalties which Pye rejected and withdrew the album from sale. I have no idea which is correct but due to the lack of sales and rarity of this major label rarity, I feel reasonably sure this was taken off the market. Now regarded as another ‘lost’ prog gem and hugely sort-after by fans of the genre, I can hardly imagine finding a better example and it would be a true Marvel if another like this ever gets offered.

Original Year of Release: 1972

Matrix Nos: NSPL 28161 A-1 G / NSPL 28161 B-1 G

Mother & Stamper Codes: C 2 / C 1

Musicians: Peter Curtain - Drums; Norrie Devine - Sax, Flute, Clarinet; David Plotel - Guitar; John Plotel - Bass; Steve Hart - Vocals; Iain Hines - Keyboards; Jimmy Wiley - Bass.

Brief Info: Like the stunning practically Mint ‘Magic Shoemaker’ by Fire I am currently offering (or was depending when you read this), from the same collection as this, ‘The Marvel World of Icarus’ is another one of those very rare, ‘lost’ progressive gems on a big label. Surely this would have sold more if it had been available for any length of time?, the history of this album is somewhat foggy and I do not know for sure what happened to it. The story goes, the band member of Icarus had an obsession with the Marvel super-hero characters and decided to make a concept album about the characters. The cover’s back shows the members in cartoon form as the six of Marvel’s most famous characters. Ian Hines is ‘Thor’. John Etheridge is ‘Spiderman’, Jimmy Wiley is (The) ‘Thing’, Peter Curtain is ‘Conan the Barbarian, Norrie Devine is Dare Devil and Steve Hart is (The Incredible) ‘Hulk’. It’s said Marvel disapproved and demanded payment to allow the Marvel name and its characters to be used which was turned down. The album flopped and sunk without trace, hence it’s rarity and it’s seldom seen or offered. Musically, it is a fast moving prog-concept album about the different characters, it has blues and jazz overtones and is a very good listen indeed. Long been sort-after by prog collectors, finding this in any condition is hard enough. Finding this record practically as issued with pristine sound is immensely difficult. Well seeing is believing, this one has surfaced and it’s probably the first time it’s left the cover for decades. Truly, it will remind any winning bidder what a new copy once looked like, yes this really IS that good. The record’s condition may possibly be matched, but never beaten. Another museum-quality piece for the discerning connoisseur collector.

Cover Grade and Format: I really cannot grade this superb cover less than Mint(-), it’s a beauty. A single, fully laminated format with very deeply pinched spine ends in manufacture. Printed and made in England.

Lamination – Front & Back: The laminate is beautifully shiny, fresh and clear. All fully adhered with no lifting of blisters, always great news for maximum visual pleasure. Even under light, there are very few surface marks, barely any on the front at all with just a couple of ultra fine ones on the back (but look hard). As smooth and shiny as glass with hardly any traces of friction rubs or dulling. Very few creases either: just a couple of mild half moons on the front that are near invisible with normal viewing and one fine surface crease near the bottom right corner There are a few fine edge creases on the spine edges both sides but barely any others at all on the back. The artwork looks fantastic and the cover suggests to play this record loud, and you can on this almost as new copy. Check out my close-up of ‘Spiderman’ on the back cover. The laminate ends slightly short of full width on the opening edge, but the fine exposed strips are unworn or grubby and any darkening to the white areas on the back is ultra mild, traces near the spine edge if being critical. This is a wonderful cover and it will take something Marvel(lous) to better it significantly – will such an example even exist?

Top Edge: Pristine, as made. Totally unworn and dead straight with no compression.

Bottom Edge: Little short of as above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with barely a trace of wear and no feathering, guaranteed untrimmed, a tiny burr trace near centre front when viewed end-on, but this is almost being nit-picking critical. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: A stunning spine, the only small blemish is a central fine crease. The deeply defined pinched ends look fantastic and both retain pristine shape with no bending or distortion. Solid, straight with barely any noteworthy compression. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid and unpeeled laminate, just the one fine crack as mentioned.

Corners: Tiny tip rub to top of spine but that’s about it, all retain fantastic pointed definition with no dinks.

Cover Summary: A super-(hero) and highly attractive example of this very rare early 70’s cover, one that will prove immensely difficult to find like this again. Will a better available example ever be seen or offered?, well fairly unlikely I’d say. This beautiful item should please most, if not all collectors.

The Inner: The original heavily polylined inner is included in at least EX condition. It has toned over the years but has little wear. Some semi-creases near the corners and minor ruffle, but the edges are all unsplit, the window clear with only slight hole mark rims marks near the centre. The two window circles are pristine and the top recessed opening very neat and little worn at all. Plain white, now darkened a little, it has the UK patent no and ‘Foreign Patents Pending’ text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Undergraded Mint(-), two super-fine surface mark traces only and this record could easily pass for new. A simply stunning visual copy that is ultra clean with very deep shine and lustre, intense black and quite heavily pressed on high quality, thick vinyl. A copy played two or three times only, including my mandatory play-grade (and who would not want to play this?). Visually a museum-quality record that should please 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 snippetts 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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This amazing record that time has largely forgotten, plays up to its high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is perfect as good as it ever could get. The production is very fine but not quite a reference piece for hi-fi with a mildly muted production. Truthfully, it plays exactly the same as the day it was made with not even a single unwanted sound heard. Surface sounds?, what surface sounds?, nothing unwanted was noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing. This is now my copy to listen-too anywhere, I just had to download to disc for my future use, this one is direct from the master tape quality. Few copies will even get near this let alone outperform it, it simply would not be possible. This too on a record that does have a few more gentle moments. I do not how many of these were ever pressed, but I am pretty sure not very many. Even though the price guides put a hefty value on this, I still think it’s way under-valued by them (surprise, surprise). I am certain this record has been played very lightly, and barely even run-in in vinyl terms and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove nigh-on impossible to find better and my highest recommendation applies. Do not lose this rare opportunity to possibly own potentially the best copy that will be made available to the open market – Yes, this record is really that good.

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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth 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.

POSTING & PACKING: 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, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) 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 TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. 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. 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 offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 5,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

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).

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8. (insurance optional extra £3).

NOTE: I NO LONGER SEND TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. ANY BIDS WILL BE IGNORED.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); 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]) = £12. (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 timewasters. 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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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’.