Owen Hand Something New UK 64 Transatlantic LP Three City Four EX/EX+

	£		120
	$		159

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK – Much of the material I’m currently selling is unsold stock from a record shop which closed down in the early 1980’s.  Most of this stock has been played once (if at all).  This statement will begin any auction where the item has been sourced from this stock.

ULTRA-RARE, Original U.K. 1964(?) Lilac & White label Transatlantic Records L.P. pressing of Owen Hand’s ‘Something New’ (Catalogue Reference: Transatlantic Records TRA 127).  There seems to be some confusion over what year this was released with Record Collector indicating 1961 but looking at other Transatlantic catalogue numbers I would put this as 1964.  Owen Hand was a member of Three City Four and as far as I’m aware this was his first of two solo LPs.  I can’t imagine that this saw more than a single pressing.  I believe this to be the 1st pressing although the matrixes make you none the wiser (reading ‘TRA 127-A’ and ‘TRA 127-B’).  The sleeve is front-laminated with flip-backs top, bottom and spine.  The vinyl pressing is reasonably weighty with the central part of the labels being textured.  This came from unsold shop stock and has obviously sat somewhere for decades and decades.  I would guess that this particular item has been in some form of storage since the late 60s.  It is obvious that this has not seen much handling and had likely only been played once before coming into my possession.  It is not absolutely perfect but it is very, very fine (more details below).

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL VISUAL) / VG+/EX (VINYL PLAYBACK) / EX+ (SLEEVE): The vinyl looks pretty stunning and upon withdrawing it from the original paper inner sleeve it is very, very obvious that this copy has hardly seen any play.  However, it is very dusty.  Looking at the sleeve spine you can tell that the vinyl was stored seperately at some point and persumably this is when it got dirty.  As I grade my vinyl under an intense light I can see that some grit has clearly got between the inner sleeve and the vinyl at some point causing tiny, pin-prick like marks which have depth and can be heard sporadically upon playback.  This appears to be an issue for the Side Two and not Side One.  None of these tiny marks are very obvious but this accounts for my sepeate grading of the vinyl playback.  These recordings are so sparse that such marks have an impact.  Lastly, there is an element here of the quality of the playback being impacted by the dirt and dust which is evident on the surface.  I would recommend a clean before playing otherwise you risk damaging the grooves (in my experience).  The labels are basically immaculate.  The sleeve simply doesn’t look over 50 years old.  The laminate is so fresh in appearance that it looks like it was applied recently.  The record was found in a polythene cover and it is this fact which accounts for the appearance of the lamination and the whiteness of the rear (which only slows very slight yellowing).  There is minor wear to each corner as a result of light knocks.  There is creasing along the spine near the mid-point re-affirming my point that the vinyl was clearly stored seperately at some time.  There are two creases near the opening edge which result from the sleeve being gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl was removed.  There is a crease in the bottom left-hand corner on the rear of the sleeve very close to the bottom flip-back which manifests itself as a light bend in the corresponding position on the front of the sleeve.  I’m sure the attached images demonstrate how crisp this copy appears.  This is a fine example of this rare item.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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