URIAH HEEP Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble RARE VERTIGO SPIRAL

	£		364
	$		482

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

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: URIAH HEEP

Album Title: Very ’Eavy… Very ’Umble.

Producer(s): Gerry Bron.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Gypsy; Waling in Your Shadow; Come Away Melinda; Lucy Blues.

Side 2: Dreammare; Real Turned On; I’ll Keep on Trying; Wake Up (Set your Sights).

Label/Format: Vertigo – original full spiral in side one and large spiral logo on side two. Side two prove an ultimate first pressing as the song titles have NO writing credits. The second pressing has the songwriters printed next to the individual songs. (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and highly attractive with only very light/light+ and mainly faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. The famous swirl logo on side one is gorgous and looks perfect from rim to hole with no chipping or rubs. Side two is still incredibly white with no grubbiness or handling marks. The absolute first pressing format, purchased from new by the one-and-only owner, this is a real beauty. Both sides will not prove easy to find much cleaner or better looking as I hope my scans show.

Cat Number: 6360 006.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 133 grams. A very good weight for this record.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Getting rare like so many on this massively collectable label. This ultimate first pressing without the credits on the songs on side two will rarely be found much better and these show up very infrequently. The second pressing came within the same year and the first editions are at a real premium. This is a fantastic copy with a super-fine record that sounds amazing and the cover almost gleams like new. Even the date coded Swirl inner with it’s correct date code has aged little. A rare vintage first press spiral with one of the greatest rock covers ever in connoisseur standard condition – yes this is very rare indeed.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: 6360006 1Y // 1 420 1 1 1 (last digit could possibly be a ‘7’) / 6360006 2Y // 1 420 1 1 ? (possibly an ‘8’)

Musicians: David Byron - lead vocals; Ken Hensley - organ, piano, slide guitar, mellotron and vocals; Mick Box - lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals; Paul Newton - bass guitar, vocals; Ollie Olsson - drums, percussion.

Brief Info: Debut album with it’s famous macabre cover and one of the very early titles from the famous Spiral catalogue. Like most all their albums, issued to scorn and hostility by the critics of the day, it’s almost miraculous how this band survived and actually thrived selling millions of albums. With one of the most famous and memorable reviews in the history of rock, Melissa Mills of Rolling Stone magazine started with ‘If this group makes it I’ll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don’t want to hear any more.’ Harsh to say the least, what did she know? – the band became very popular and what happened to the reviewer? This is superb debut album and live they are always great entertainment. I saw them on at least five occasions in the 70s and early 80s. A very solid and enjoyable progressive beginning and this includes the sublime track ‘Gypsy’. This ranks as one of the very best Vertigo Spiral albums I have ever had (and I have many). How many actually know there are differences on the first two pressing label formats? This ultimate first omits any song writing credits on side two, quickly to be reprinted and pressed with them included – both still have the large Swirl logo, so at first glance they look the same. Both cover and record are in sublime conditions, the record looks little played and sounds fantastic. With one of Vertigo’s greatest ever sleeves, try finding one better than this. For fans of this evergreen and still very popular band (with fans anyway) and collectors of prog’s most sort-after label, this one almost sets the standard to ever be beaten. This copy from the collection of hardly played records recently purchased and only ever played on a quality stereo system with utmost care – the difference will be immediately apparent.

Cover Grade and Format: MINT(-): a gatefold format with front and back laminate. The inside is matt finished and smooth. The laminate ends inside the gatefold on the top edges and all closed edges are protected. Printed and made in England and including the original copy warning ‘Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings.’ This was later to changed from ‘Vertigo’ to ‘this label’ (please see this in close-up), beware of substitutions.

Lamination – Front & Back: With no exaggeration, this is almost like picking up a brand new example of this legendary Vertigo cover. One of the small few in the Swirl catalogue that received laminate protection. This cover looks simply STUNNING! With a mirror-like surface shine, clarity and freshness of genuine rare beauty. The wonderfully macabre graphic will rarely, if ever be seen to better advantage. Even under light, barely even a trace of friction rubs or dulling and the same for even those ultra fine and faint hairlines. There are a few fine and light edge hairline surface creases that few, if any cover really avoids totally. I feel sure some of these are within manufacture anyway, and besides, these are ultra fine and faint and barely even command the word ‘blemish’. A massively significant factor is the total lack of lifting, all the laminate is fully adhered with no blisters at all. What a difference this makes to a very dark cover. Hardly a scuff or abrasion to both surfaces that feel so smooth they remind of ice (without the cold). For Vertigo collectors, this is a near dream-piece and my best one of these ever – few available ones will compare – and the first format pressed record inside, is of the same stunning quality.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Apart from the usual slight sticking to the laminate ends that have caused a few very small, bordering on tiny surface pulls, there is nothing else to fault. When the laminate ends on the inside of these covers, the slightly sticky ends adhere when closed, and this trait is near impossible to avoid and many were like it from day one. In terms of this issue, this is very slight and minor indeed.

Top Edges: Immaculate, as new and dead straight and fully laminated with no scuffing or abrasions as the fingertip test confirms.

Bottom Edges: Practically the same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: The closed and sealed front edge is pristine immaculate with full laminate coverage that is smooth and unpeeled. The open back storage edge is mostly very sharp and clean with barely any wear and no feathering. Any thickening or burring is minuscule and this is guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Little short of Mint: again immaculate, as made: solid, robust, straight, uncompressed and folded very square, all edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. The text is perfect and unworn under the solid and uncracked laminate, hopefully this can be seen on my close-up picture.

Corners: Tiny tip rubs being highly critical again, probably like this from new. All retain superb, near mint shape and neat pointed definition.

Cover Summary: Truly gorgeous, this is one to hold and simply admire – they come along like this all too rarely. I truly feel a much better all-round example of this scarce, and original Vertigo cover will hardly even exist these days. If so, they will be locked away in very discerning collector’s collections and rarely offered on the open market. This beautiful item should please practically all collectors needing it. Any blemishes on this one are negligible and only one from the factory and put into a safe for 40+ years will better this one to any degree. A near museum quality example not to be missed and one I will not forget in a hurry.

The Spiral Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): this has its original Swirl inner, date coded 1/0470 (please see this detail in close-up). This too in super condition and aged little,it more than does justice to the rest of the set. These Vertigo inners, almost as famous as the labels, do not age well and are normally seen browned, torn or split. Any darkening on this original is modestly very light and minor. The lining fully intact, solid and very clear with only very mild crinkle. Both window circles are pristine, crisp and sharp. Any creasing very light and fine and all edges unsplit with no tears or repairs. A superb example looking just right for a 40+-year-old inner sleeve.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(-): an exceptional record, clearly only very lightly played with any surface traces or hairlines few, very light and faint. A superb visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. Visually a very impressive first pressed record that should please most-all collectors again.

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 rare original Vertigo record plays up to it’s high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing. Very few of the first made copies will match or outperform this very well preserved example. Both channels are clearly defined with superb imagery and clarity – the music and vocals fully focused and sharp with no clipping or press noises. Carefully stored and lightly handled within a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful, legendary Swirl record. I have no idea what happened to the lady reviewer of this record, but this debut album has more than survived and the band themselves thrived. This copy will prove immensely difficult to find better and merits my highest possible recommendation – do not lose this one.

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’.