Warhorse "Red Sea" Vertigo Hard Prog rarity

	£		22
	$		29

ARTISTE, RECORD TITLE  AND LABEL

WAR HORSE "Red Sea"

Vertigo 6360 066 (see "Background" for country of issue)

TRACK LISTING

Side 1:  1) Red Sea  2) Back In Time 3) Confident But Wrong 4) Feeling Better 

Side 2:  1) Sybilla 2) Mouthpiece 3) I (Who Have Nothing)

BACKGROUND TO THIS RECORD:

My fellow collectors and myself used to be stumped as to the country of origin of these Vertigos which had a small spiral at the 12'o clock position on each side of the label. We used to get a lot of German issues here but they usually had different catalog numbers whereas this and other Vertigos had UK numbers. We also knew it was not Singaporean as the matrix numbers on the dead wax are machine stamped whereas Singapore ones are scratched in. it was only towards the end of 2007 that we sa the light. A UK seller found a cache of these Vertigos and in his writeup on EBay mentioned that he got them from the UK distributor and that that these were some sort export copies to Singapore and the Far East(his words as we do not consider ourselves as distant Easterners!)This is a gatefold LP.

I would rate the cover as generally VG++.  There is a 2 inch long signature on the top right side between " horse" and the Vertigo label. There are also some light scuffs along the entry side  as well as a couple of white spots and some slight age discolouration at the centerfold.

The vinyl looks a strong Excellent with a couple of barely  visable surface scratches which did not affect play and some light spindle marks.  The vinyl maintains it lustre and is mirror like and the labels are generally  clean.Tracking at 1.7g on my Naim Aro tonearm/LyraHelikon SL cartridge, there are light clicks and pops and the playing is generally a strong Excellent to 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 made 3 stage Walker Audio 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 in Pounds are:

LPs :

9 for the first

2 each for the  subsequent ones

I have increased my postage marginally due to the pound weakening vis-a-vis the Siingapore dollar. I will  inform buyers of the registration details through Email on posting.

Forms of payment that I accept include:

·       PAYPAL (preferred choice) 

·       International Money Orders