JETHRO TULL, BENEFIT, MINT- 1970 UK GREEN CHRYSALIS/ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		77
	$		102

It is my pleasure to offer for auction a superb MINT- example of the third studio album by JETHRO TULL titled "BENEFIT", Catalogue Number ILPS 9123. This is an ORIGINAL 1970 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the GREEN CHRYSALIS RECORD LABEL with a 1st ISSUE MacNEILL PRESS LTD. MATT-FINISH SINGLE SLEEVE. It comes complete with the original plain white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The green Chrysalis labels have the earliest white Island text around the tops. The matrix numbers are the earliest ILPS 9123 A//2 and ILPS 9123 B//1].

The sleeve is in a strong EX condition with only the lightest signs of wear and a few very minor creases. It’s a very well preserved example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve. I have included plenty of photos which hopefully show the outstanding condition.

The solidly-pressed 142g record is in MINT- condition. The Chrysalis labels are like new with only a few short spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole which still retains some plastic flashing from manufacture. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays on a high quality turntable. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The small amount of residual surface sound present is both random and transient – in my opinion it was present in the pressing from new. Virtually all Island pressings of the period were pressed with a small amount of residual surface sound. I have never come across a copy of this album that plays totally silently and I doubt very much that any exist. The record offered here is the finest-playing copy that I have listened to in years. I think that it will be almost impossible to match.

The white poly-lined inner sleeve is in unmarked EX+ condition. 

Overall this is a rare opportunity to acquire a stunning MINT- copy of Tull’s highly accomplished third album which will grace any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Sony PS-X600 turntable fitted with an AT-30E MC cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £50 value - £11.70

Europe over £50 value - £14.30

Worldwide up to £50 value - £15.20

Worldwide over £50 value - £17.80