JETHRO TULL Aqualung 71 Island Pink Rim UK LP

	£		142
	$		188

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: JETHRO TULL

Album Title: Aqualung.

Producer(s): Ian Anderson & Terry Ellis.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Aqualung; Cross-Eyed Mary; Cheap Day Return; Mother Goose; Wond’ring Aloud; Up to Me.

Side 2: My God; Hymn 43; Slipstream; Locomotive Breath; Wind Up.

Label/Format: Chrysalis - (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean and highly attractive with just the odd faint spindle trace. A copy from a collection where the records were played once or twice, taped, the record put into a Decca lined inner and stored. They rarely get better than this.

Cat Number: ILPS 9145.

A Special Note about this Copy: In terms of rarity, for me there is NO rarer UK Jethro Tull album that this. No matter on what order the pressing, only a small few copies of this classic album were ever issued on the Island Pink rim format. Virtually all were issued on Chrysalis with different label variations but Pink rim Islands are by a vast distance the rarest ever. They are rarely seen or offered and some sellers I have spoken too are still even unaware of its existence. This is first and only example I have ever seen and even though the record grades at VG, it plays generally well and of course has to be offered. One for the serious Island collector and completist, a very rare opportunity indeed – when was the last time you saw one of these?

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: 125 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: The actual album itself is moderately common, even green Chrysalis early pressings, this sold well. But, and a very big BUT, very early copies on the Island Pink rim labels are one of the rarest and most elusive Island albums ever issued. A very low run were ever pressed and most all are seen on the green labels. I truly consider this the rarest UK ‘standard’ Jethro Tull album ever made, it hardly ever shows up and is very rarely offered. The record has surface marks, more than I would normally consider offering but the sheer rarity of this pressing demands it has to be offered. Most-all of the marks are superficial anyway and few sound. It may cause the odd raised eyebrow or two, but truly, I consider this one of the rarest albums I have ever offered on Ebay and my first ever. The Record Collector Price Guide does not even mention this Pink rim pressing but clearly does ‘Benefit’ on both green and Pink rim – does such a major trade guide even fail to know of its existence? Certainly a debatable point.

Original Year of Release: 1971.

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9145 A-1U / ILPS 9145 B-3U.

Musicians: Ian Anderson: Vocals, acoustic guitar, flute; Martin Barre: electric guitar, descant recorder; John Evan: piano, organ, mellotron; Jeffrey Hammond - bass guitar, alto recorder, voices; Clive Bunker: drums and percussion.

Brief Info: Jethro Tull’s fourth album and a semi-conceptual gem based around ‘Aqualung’, a pervy old tramp. Many regard it as their best ever. Superbly recorded and beautifully packaged, and here, by some distance, the rarest pressing ever. As stated, the record has marks and the cover has a very small surface pull but remains attractive. A respectable example of one of the rarest Jethro Tull albums ever issued, not good enough for the discerning collector but a rare opportunity to fill an elusive gap in any Island collection. Few, I feel sure will own one of these.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High.

Cover Grade and Format: Undergraded at EX+. One of Island’s most celebrated covers with fantastic artwork. This is fully textured and matt finished. Many were printed by Robor Ltd but this is the early and much rarer E. J. Day Group version and it has the ILPS text on the spine (please see these details in close-up).

Cover Front: This is a very fine front and has only one really noteworthy blemish – a small surface pull on the bottom edge towards the right. It’s only very small. A tiny chip on the top edge too but this shows little. Any other rubbing is tiny, few and faint and this famous front looks lovely. Clean, fresh with few marks and barely even a crease to be seen. The famous old tramp looks near immaculate on the very heavily textured surface.

Cover Back: Again in lovely condition and with little to fault. The odd tiny edge chip and one mild surface crease near the top edge. These minor blemishes apart, one of the best backs I have seen on the rarer E. J. Day printed cover version. The lack of ringwear is always a bonus too.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Both faces are practically as new and look fantastic.

Top Edges: A little light patchy rubbing.

Bottom Edges: As above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with no wear or feathering. Record enters on this back edge.

Spine and Text: A superb spine with barely any traces or wear or ageing. Solid, straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. All text is perfect and unworn and a high degree of whiteness is retained as well as that highly significant Island ILPS Cat No. (please see this in close up).

Corners: Tip rubs on the right sets, very little at all on the spine pair which retain very fine shape.

Cover Summary: Rare, early and original, most seen are CHR Chrysalis, Robor printed versions. This EJD example sets a high standard with just the small surface tear at the foot of the front being the most obvious blemish.

The Inner: EX, with just a neat split on the bottom edge and a smaller one on one edge – hardly unusual to say the least, this is unlined and very vulnerable. Often like this when purchased with movement in transit to the shops. This has the wide top opening which remains quite neat. Any marks or age toning is very light and mild and minimal. Crease-free and flipback constructed.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: VG with a fair number of mainly surface marks or scuffs. Visually, not up to the standards I usually offer, please can I make that perfectly clear. The superb rare labels suggest little played and possibly so, but I would think the original owner was somewhat heavy handed. Glad say the marks are practically all superficial and non-penetrating and have minimal effect on sound with only just a very few occasional very light clicks. Very solidly pressed with reasonable shine retained but clearly not treated with the tender loving care it deserved. A very reasonable copy but not for the connoisseur collector this time, unless, like me, they feel the rarity merits a bid. Please, if you have any doubts on this one, do not bid. As the record plays generally very well, many collectors will still enjoy owning this very rare record.

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 very rare pink rim record plays somewhat above its visual grading with little to really fault. Okay, a few light sporadic clicks but not many and certainly nothing remotely heavy. A little mild surface sound in places too and ‘Up to Me’, the final song on side one has a little more. I emphasise quickly, apart from the aforementioned track, there is very little and most of this record plays very well indeed with really enjoyable sound. Remember too what I played this one for grading - the LP12 is ruthlessly revealing. This has strong, clean sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality and production is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. It tracks effortlessly with no problems at all. Easy to listen-to and enjoyable but clearly not audiophile standard for all. I suspect many will want this just for the its rarity or to fill a gap in a serious Island collection but this copy is actually far better than a gap filler. I rarely offer records less than EX but here it’s fully justified. If a near perfect vinyl copy is wanted just to listen to, well the green or blue label versions are not so hard to find are they? Just owning a genuine Island pink rim will enough for many – for sure, not many will have one. I have tried to be as honest and forthright with my grading and opinions as possible, but again, if a perfect copy is mandatory, this is not for you. That said, many collectors will be delighted with this one – you decide.

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 out ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is no bad thing. Also: any item with a value over £40 will have to be insured as well, but for any item that sells for over £150, I will pay the extra insurance (then the lower shipping price applies).

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 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 4,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course of 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. (Only for items under £40)

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (Compulsory for items over £40).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA including RUSSIA and nearby countries. (Airmail Only):

1 LP, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, [£500 Maximum]) = £11.

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, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £12.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500 Maximum) = £15.

For items that sell over £150, I will pay the insurance, so the lower shipping price will apply.

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’.