The Rascals Freedom Suite ORIG UK Orange & Plum Label ATLANTIC LP Foil Sleeve NM

	£		14
	$		19

Background Information

I am currently in the process of shifting a vast collection of stock which largely derives from a Record Shop which closed its doors in the early 1980s.  The stock spans a period from the early 1960s through to the early 80s with the bulk dating from the 1970s.  There are large quantities of Progressive Rock, R & B and Soul and Modern Classical.  Most of the items have sustained a single play (clearly standard practice to check for flaws upon receipt of new records back-in-the-day) however, some are obviously UNPLAYED.  The bulk of what I’m currently selling comes from this source and I’d guess it will be years before I exhaust it!

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK Original U.K. 1969 Orange & Plum Label ATLANTIC STEREO L.P. pressing of The Rascals ‘Freedom Suite’ (Catalogue Reference: ATLANTIC 588183).  This features an attractive silver foil sleeve with a large sticker of the band attached to the front (the whole image of the band is a sticker).  Now this maybe slightly lavish but this is still a typical, period, cheap and flimsy Polydor sleeve.  Presumably they had left-over foil from Cream’s ‘Wheels of Fire’ (joke).  Both the Rascals LPs I have for sale this week are truly beautiful copies.  While there is a limited amount of dust in places I believe this copy has been played ONCE and the vinyl is an easy NEAR MINT grade.  Under an intense light there are perhaps a couple of hairline scratches across the two sides (i.e. combined) and absolutely nothing else to say.  There is a lovely ‘as new’ lustre to the playing surfaces here.  The condition of the sleeve is inferior to the vinyl but it is still a great example.  For starters the large sticker which is attached is immaculate.  You would expect it to be worn as it is exposed by the manner in which it extrudes from the sleeve.  There is ring-wear evident on both sides of the sleeve.  The result of this ring-wear is a subtle loss of the foil print (resulting in the white underlay being exposed).  The biggest flaw I note with the sleeve is a crease to the top left-hand corner which follows the line of the record and is visible on both sides of the sleeve.  Clearly, someone held the sleeve a little inappropriately while the vinyl was still inside.  Small creases are evident down the spine which is an obvious indication that the sleeve has sat in a rack at some point.  One of these creases has actually ‘broken’ the sleeve but it isn’t particularly obvious.  I note two creases near the opening edge of the sleeve which are also visible in the corresponding position on the rear of the sleeve.  These result from the sleeve being gripped between the fingertips while the vinyl is removed.  There are a further two smaller creases near the opening edge of the sleeve which are only on the front.  Each of the corners has received a small knock which has resulted in a limited amount of fraying and the knock to the bottom right-hand corner has torn the sleeve by about ½ cm along the base.  There is minimal fraying to the opening edge.  I’m sure this long list sounds quite awful but it really isn’t and it should be noted that foil sleeves are very unforgiving.  Polydor sleeves from this period don’t wear well let alone foiled Polydor sleeves.  I think I’m going to be conservative and grade the sleeve as being in VERY GOOD+ condition.  It really isn’t knackered but these Polydor sleeves were never exactly ‘heavy duty’ and they really don’t survive very well.

Condition

VINYL – NEAR MINT

SLEEVE – VERY GOOD+

Final Remarks

The vinyl is simply stunning here and due to the nature of the sleeve you’ll probably still struggle to locate a superior example.  Please check my other auctions for a further Rascals L.P. (‘See’) and further Plum Label ATLANTIC LPs and a large run of ATLANTIC 45s from the same source in similarly immaculate condition.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

Returns Policy

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase then please contact me within 7 days of receipt.  The buyer is expected to meet the return postage costs.

Payment Methods

Domestic buyers can pay via Cheque, PayPal or Postal Order.  Overseas buyers are always welcome and are required to pay via PayPal.  Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed.

Postage Costs

I have had to bring my service in-line with changes to Royal Mail Terms and Conditions effective of April 2013.  Previously items sent via standard post were automatically covered up to the value of £46.00 however, standard postage now only covers items up to the value of £20.00.  Items with an opening value >£20.00 will include domestic Signed For postage costs automatically.  Items with an opening value <=£20.00 and which complete with a value <=£20.00 will continue to be dispatched via standard post unless otherwise agreed (i.e. the buyer indicates a preference otherwise).  Items which have an opening value <=£20.00 but whose final value is >£20.00 will be subject to enhanced postage costs in order to cover the extra insurance which is required.  I hope this is as straightforward as I can make it?  Ultimately, please don’t make payment until you’ve received an invoice from me and if you aren’t happy with the invoice you receive then I’m always open to discussion.  Buyers should be aware that both Ebay and PayPal take a % of postage charges (i.e. they are higher than I’d ideally want them to be).

Multiple purchases will be subject to consolidated postage costs.  I will contact you at the end of the auction to confirm these costs.

Proof of postage is always obtained and retained.

Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.