Status Quo "Messages From..." UK Orginal Pye1968 LP

	£		43
	$		56

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL

STATUS QUO " Picturesque Matchstickable Messages From The Status Quo"

Pye NSPL 18220 (pressed in England)

TRACK LISTING

Side 1:  1) Black Veils Of Melancholy 2) When My Mind Is Not Live 3) Ice In The Sun 4) Elizabeth Dreams 5) Gentleman Joe's Sidewalk Cafe 6) Paradise Flat

 Side 2:  1)Techicolor Dreams 2) Spicks and Specks 3) Sheila 4) Sunny Cellophone Skies 5) Green Tambourine 6) Pictures Of Matchstick Men

BACKGROUND TO THIS RECORD:

This is the original 1968 1st LP from Status Quo.  The playing was Near Mint (see results of my grading below)

GRADING RESULTS:

I would rate the cover as VG++ to Excellent.  Though there are no writings  on both sides of the cover, there are some light scuff marks especially along the opening edge as well as some light creases on the front laminate. The back shows some slight age discolouration. The glue on the triple flipback on the reverse cover is still strong and intact.

Other than a very faint hairline surface scratch on Track 3 of Side 2 which did not affect play, the vinyl generally looks Near Mint. There are a couple of age spots on both sides of the label which, other than that, is generally clean. The vinyl maintains its lustre and is mirror like. Tracking at 1.7g on my Naim Aro/Lyra Halycon SL cartridge , both sides has some slight soft clicks in the opening grooves as well as at the dead wax area but it generally played Near Mint. Even the silent grooves in between tracks were Near Mint.

How I Clean and  Grade my Records

Cleaning: Cleaning is usually done on a Loricraft PRC 4 cleaning machine and/or VPI 17.5 using the US Walker Audio 3 stage cleaning fluid

Playback Equipment: Playback is through a Linn LP12 turntable/Armeggedon/Naim Aro tonearm/Lyra Helikon SL cartridge and through a brace of active Naim 250s/135s into Naim DBL speakers. For 45s I use a second Linn/Lingo/Aro/Linn Troika.

I use both Goldmine and Rare Record Price Guide grading system as a guide and came up with the following:

·       Mint  I only use this for sealed items. The record is virtually unplayed and is in a brand new condition. Cover is pristine. Up till now, I have never used this grading and, chances are, never will, due to my conservative nature in matters of record grading.

·       Near Mint  Very little or negligible flaws. Faint lines or very faint creasing  on laminated covers visible under a strong light is acceptable but nothing serious. Records which show some signs of having been played such as very faint spindle marks are allowed but there should be no lessening in sound quality. .

·       Excellent   Item obviously played, though not often,and enjoyed with some slight noise. The record should be nice and shiny but may have a few light marks which should not intrude on play. Slight wear on cover is acceptable. 

·         Very Good Many more imperfections which are noticeable but not obtrusive. The record has been played several times but there should be no major deterioration in sound quality despite some noticeable surface marks and light scratches. Normal wear and tear or writings on the cover  is acceptable but there should not be any major tears.

I do not offer any records below Very Good  unless its extremely rare. 

Shipping costs

I use brand new custom made  plastic sleeves  for both the vinyl and for the sleeve. Shipping is always by Airmail and by registered post as it allows one to track items in case of delays.  Shipping costs (with "signed for" post, which allows me to track delayed items are( in pounds) are:

LPs :

9 for the first

2 each   for the subsequent ones

So far, I only had delays when posting to Italy and though I will still assist by "chasing" from my end. Italian buyers should take note. I will  inform buyers of the registration details ie racking number through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice) 

·       International Money Orders