THE KINKS Village Green… VERY RARE ORIG UK 1968 EX++ LP

	£		422
	$		559

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Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: THE KINKS

Album Title: The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society.

Producer(s): Ray Davies.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: The Village Green Preservation Society; Do You Remember Walter; Picture Book; Johnny Thunder; Last of the Steam-Powered Trains; Big Sky; Sitting by the Riverside.

Side 2: Animal Farm; Village Green; Starstruck; Phenominal Cat; All of My Friends Were There; Wicked Annabella; Monica; People Take Pictures of Each Other.

Label/Format: Pye – original black and blue format.

Label Conditions: Both in stunning, little short of as made conditions. Very clean, fresh and attractive with barely any traces of any spindle marks. A hugely impressive and very lightly played example again from a superb collection of cherished records. (Please see label picture).

Cat Number: NSPL 18233.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 157 grams. A typical heavyweight Pye pressing from this period of quality.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Rare in both mono and stereo formats, I have never found either format easy to find as this record did not sell well. Justifiably in considerable demand these days, there simply are not enough originals to go round. The cover is one of the most fragile ever issued and just finding it intact is a bonus. This one on offer is exceptional given how impossibly delicate it is - few will be found much better than this making such an example very rare indeed.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: NSPL 18233 A-3 * T STEREO / NSPL 18233 B-4 * T STEREO

Stamper Codes: B 1 / B 1

Brief Artist & Album Info: By 1968 The Kinks had somewhat fallen from public grace in the UK, a bizarre fact made even more inexplicable as Ray Davies was at the height of creative brilliance. Still receiving high critical acclaim, this album, totally failed to capture the imagination of most record buyers of the time. Still writing beautifully honest pop songs about every day events no longer appealed to Kinks fans and it simply failed to sell. The attractive (but ultra flimsy) packaging did little to help sales either. Playing this album makes its relative failure all the more confusing: every song is a classic, perfect songs performed - well perfectly. A similar fate awaited the equally wonderful ‘Arthur’ album that followed. Rarely ever has there been such an injustice of two albums failing to sell in the quantaties they clearly should have done. Now after 43 years, there are not enough original copies to go around for the collectors who ignored this all those years ago (myself very much included). I think as collectors and music fans get older, they look back on the nostalgia of pieces like this, helped of course by inclusion of TV programmes like ‘Heartbeat’, a series set in the 1960s and using music from this, and other similar albums to help set the scene for the story-lines – it clearly gets more people interested in these bygone classics. What an absolute delight, or more accurately, privilege to be able one of the best examples I have had to date. To say this cover is fragile is something of an understatement – even within a short time time, this flattened and creased. Even with modest use and handling, the edges got burred and torn. As the spine weakened, the laminate problems really got started and most all seen are badly creased and often showing massive lifts and blisters – these usually cracked, split and then peeled. This one has natural lifting on the front spine edge, but has little else to fault and it will blow most others away With due care, this very well preserved cover will last indefinitely. Most Kinks albums got played heavily, for those who did buy them initially, most did so freely and finding clean playing copies is always a huge challenge. The label evidence strongly suggests this incredibly early B1/B1 pressing has been played little reittrated by superbly clean sound. The lack of groove wear distortion is always a massive bonus and this plays with none. Also pretty much devoid of surface sound and no pops or clicks were noted. Just a few tiny traces of surface sound between a couple of three tracks, this being very critical. The music is gorgeous and the stereo mix works brilliantly on these songs. I know for a fact the previous owner played his records very sparingly and with utmost care. Over time, this has become one of my favourite albums of all-time, I never tire of hearing these timeless songs. Being honest, even offering this record is proving hard for me to do. I just hope any winning bidder enjoys as much as I did – a true Ray Davies masterpiece.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High Indeed – Almost off-the-scale in fact. A truly beautiful cover but unfortunately one of the flimsiest and most wear- and damage-prone covers ever. So-much-so, many are seen with reinforcing tape around the edges to try and hold it together from the early days. The same goes for ‘Arthur’, the follow-up album to this one, again with another very similar delicate sleeve. The front is only single thickness and to make matters worse, the very thick and heavy Pye record was stored via the inside centre which put enormous pressure on the lightweight, thin spine. Most of these delicate spines were badly torn and sliced by the record’s edges. Few escape major and often serious laminate issues. Finding one with a spine intact is hard enough, to find one with it still almost erect is nigh-on impossible. Well check out my pictures and judge for yourselves.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): a gatefold format with front and back lamination. The front is single thickness card and the record enters via the centre putting immense pressure on the spine and particularly the top and bottom ends. The unlaminated inside is matt finished and smooth. It has top and bottom external flipbacks on the right side. A standard and normal mono cover that usually had a stereo sticker placed over the top. This one has no sticker. I feel sure initially there was no dedicated stereo cover for this album. Printed and made in England

Front & Lamination: Firstly, this is an exceptional example of an ultimately difficult cover. One with hardly any real wear and finding a better one will prove an immensely difficult, if not near impossible task. The only issue of any real note is some lifting on the spine edge. A moderate blister from just below half way down going upwards. One small one also on the bottom corner of the same edge. Neither have cracked or split and there is no peeling. I do not consider laminate lifting on this (or any cover) as ‘wear’, because even from new, some covers had it. Some covers, including this one, found the laminate did not adhere well during manufacture. And the flimsy covers saw laminate natural tighten and lift from the card as well. In real terms, this cover had little chance from day one of avoiding some lifting and in context, this one has only relative modest amounts. Creasing is another factor on this one. Delighted to say this has hardly any which is little short of remarkable. One half moon to the left of Ray’s shoulder and a very fine and faint one to the right of his head, one other tiny one near the spine edge (but look hard) – and that’s about it. I will quickly add, this cover has NEVER had any tape applied to preserve the delicate edges – this has simply been well looked after from day one. The laminate is still very shiny, clear and fresh and the famous graphic looks superb with rich, vibrant colour. Even under light, barely even a trace of friction rubs or dulling and this is a class apart of what is normally seen or offered. The edges are in fantastic condition, just a small chip on the bottom one in a central position, any others are minuscule and their neatness and sharp appearance is almost unbelieveable. So a hugely impressive front that almost sets the standard.

Back & Lamination: Again I remind, this is a standard Mono cover, it has no sticker to cover it up. I am almost having to pinch myself to believe this one: there are NO laminate lifts at all and any of the tiny few creases small and very fine and faint. Very fine and faint record impression which hardly even registers. The owner had the good sense to store the record outside a) to eliminate the risk of spine and entrance area damage accessing the record and b) to avoid pressure marks on the cover to avoid dulling and ringwear. It has paid handsome reward, this impossible and unforgiving back is world-class. Shiny and barely marked with a lovely shine and lustre. All edges unchipped with incredibly well-defined corners that have not crumpled or dinked like most do. A wonderful back to complement the exceptional front. Kinks fans can justifiably get excited about this one.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Like WOW!! Brilliant artwork and this will remind more of what this looked like from new. Both flipbacks are pristine and ultra solid and neat, like the rest of the cover, this has hardly aged at all. With scrutiny, I have found just one very fine and faint surface crease near the bottom right edge. The unprotected artwork is ultra clean, fresh and highly attractive. Please see my close-up pictures of the band members – the ultimate test of quality zooming in this close. What sets this inside apart even more are the entrance area ends. There is barely even a hint of any wear or stressing, simply because it has hardly been used for storage. Both ends unsplit and incredibly neat and spine crisp and flat with none of the usual weakening or fraying (please see these crucial areas in high close-up). I have rarely seen one that even compares to this. A remarkable example that only gets seen or offered in tiny numbers.

Top Edges: Both in near unbelieveable conditions: the standard folded back is practically unworn up to the right cornertip that has a small rub. The thin front is crisp and very neat indeed with no feathering and barely any thickening. The lack of burring or wear to this edge is incredible bordering on amazing. With edges like this, it makes a considerable difference to the appearance of this cover.

Bottom Edges: One small central chip on the front apart, both are practically the same as above. Being the traditional storage edges, I can hardly believe how this pair have avoided wear or at least thickening. But seeing is believing, thare is hardly a trace.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both are in fantastic shape again, the front totally crisp and unburred with no feathering whatsoever. This guaranteed untrimmed, it even sits flush to the back edge. The back is practically perfect as made. What is even more remarkable, the back edges are all ultra straight with no bowing or misshaping. The floppy lightweight front is practically the same, it lies almost flat when closed with minimal curl to the ends.

Spine and Text: This can justifiably be argued to be the most delicate part of this entire cover. Most are seen totally flat, threadbare, tatty and worn. Stripped of laminate with the text and eroded and the ends rounded and even torn. All collectors will have seen this and the ‘Arthur’ cover in such a state I feel sure. A spine that has not been crushed and it beggars belief, it is still erect – and naturally so – this has not been rammed into shape (just to lie flat again). Any tilt is minimal and retains a high degree of ‘strength’ with a lovely defined shape. Retaining full laminate and all text pristine perfect. Even the folds are unweakened and have their laminate. A mere trace of flaking near the top corner, but even these ends are neatly shaped with no dinks. A near impossible task to keep this 43-year-old cover quite this safe - one drop or push too hard into a case or rack, and the damage is done. Well it has not happened to this one – yet. An exceptional spine by anyone’s standard.

Corners: These impossibly fragile flimsy ends put the icing on the cake. The spine ends are not quite perfect, but set the standard to ever be beaten with any wear, scuffing or mishaping minimal and minor. The right ones are very neat indeed, the front pair exceptional and crisp with not even a tip crease. Any rubbing minuscule, most on top right back.

Cover Summary: A truly wonderful all-round example of this ultra delicate, wear-prone late 60’s cover, sleeves of this era rarely came much more flimsy or delicate than this. When picked up one-handed, it will bend quickly and severely crease and ruin before you have time to support with the other hand. Avoid this at all costs! This incredible example has survived all these years, and has the potential to last indefinitely if treated the same in the future. As stated, I have seen this and ‘Arthur’ literally falling apart, split and creased into submission with the laminate actually hanging off and all edges split to shreds. This is why cellotape was often applied, even from new. Few available examples will have been looked-after to this high standard, and it needs to be to have any real chance. Not quite perfect, but even the highly discerning collectors can consider this one. As stated, laminate lifting is natural and is near unavoidable on this cover. It has so little else to even fault, my grading of EX++ can even be considered harsh. This age- and format-defying original cover is incredible and looks terrific – a very rare opportunity indeed.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): a plain white, polylined heavy-duty inner. This is UK patented with ‘Foreign Patents Pending’ text. Barely aged and still an excellent shade of white with hardly any discolour or seam edge browning. Both window circles are pristine, ultra sharp and crisp and the lining firm and incredibly clear and fresh. Even this has avoided creasing and any crinkle minuscule. Any creasing or marks tiny and few and light and a lovely inner sleeve to match the rest of the set. Even the top opening is crisp and sharp.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+) to EXCELLENT(++): a very small few, very light and faint surface marks that have no sound whatsoever. Very clean with a lovely fresh shine, intense black and very heavily pressed. There are no penetrating marks or scratches on this record at all and few original copies will better this one significantly I feel sure. Never exposed to old mono record equipment and their damaging heavyweight tracking stylus. All evidence suggests this has been played very sparingly and mostly with utmost care. Unless absolute visual perfection is demanded, this copy will please most-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 snippets 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 classic record plays even above it’s visual grading with fantastic sound. Any minor surface sound was only really noted between a couple of three joining grooves between music. Any traces on the actual sound were minuscule, this too being played on sensitive equipment. Remember, just one chipped or worn pickup and the damage is done, this does not show but can be heard with devastating, irrepairable results. This has sharp and totally focused and quite beautiful stereo sound which is totally distortion-free. All frequencies are sharp and clear with no clipping or echo on the high frequencies - sound quality is superb with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. No pops or clicks were noted. These thick, heavyweight Pye records were tough and durable, but the avoidance of mono record player use is a huge plus. The wonderful songs and stereo imagery makes for a highly enjoyable listen, this is priceless song-writing of the highest calibre with sublime lyrics. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this beautiful album, any minor surface trace marks are simply ignored. The perfect pop record that even has hints of psychedelia and tons of nostalgia. This copy will match or beat most others seen, of that, I am certain. A great listening copy for the collector who only demands an original. An undisputed masterpiece in fantastic condition, this merits my highest possible recommendation.

End Piece: For some reason, Kinks albums when they do show up, are often more played into submission more than even Beatles or Stones albums - the reason, obvious, the people who did buy them adored them and justiably played them a lot. This truly is a remarkably well preserved example, it’s inherent beauty barely diminished over the years, I doubt if cover or record have seen light-of-day for decades. With most originals seen in appalling conditions, this simply reitterates the true beauty of this one. I regard ‘Village Green’ as a UK national treasure, a simply perfect album that offers world-class meaningful lyrics with quality, catchy music. For fans, this is a very rare opportunity not to be missed. At last one that does maximum justice to an evergreen masterpiece. Nostaligia rarely ever sounded this wonderful. Walter, Monica, Ray Davies and The Phenominal Cat themselves would surely approve?

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/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

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, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. 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. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are 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 at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. 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 the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

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). Add £2 per extra LP.

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; 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 [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an 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: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. 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. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

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 necessarily 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’.