Wishbone Ash No Smoke Without Fire ORIG UK 1978 MCA L.P. + Live 45 UNSOLD STOCK

	£		20
	$		26

UNSOLD SHOP STOCK – Much of the material I’m currently selling is unsold stock from a record shop which closed down in the early 1980’s.  Most of this stock has been played once (if at all).  This statement will begin any auction where the item has been sourced from this stock.

Reasonably CRISP, Original U.K. 1978 MCA Records L.P. pressing of Wishbone Ash ‘No Smoke Without Fire’ album which retains the free two track live 45 featuring the tracks ‘Come in From the Rain’ (Recorded Live at Sheffield City Hall - 18.10.77) and ‘Lorelei’ (Recorded Live at Glasgow Apollo - 19.11.76) (Catalogue Reference: MCA Records MCG 3528).  This features a reasonably Garrod & Lofthouse printed sleeve which is spot-laminated in places on the rear.  There is a large sticker advertising the free 45 on the front.  The record is stored inside a die-cut, curved edge, lyric inner sleeve.  This appears to be a 2nd pressing with the matrixes reading ‘MCG 3528 A-2U’ (Side One) and ‘MCG 3528 B-2U’ (Side Two).  The pressing is surprisingly thick and weighty for a late 70s EMI pressing.  The free 45 is an EMI, four-prong pressing featuring ‘A-1U’ and ‘B-2U’ matrixes and which is still stored inside the original MCA label bag.  Like much of the material I currently have for sale this has been sourced from unsold shop stock and has literally sat in storage since at least the early 1980s.  While not perfect this remains a very fine package.  I’m not certain this set has ever seen play.  It might have seen one play at most.

CONDITION: EX (L.P. VINYL) / EX+/NM (45 VINYL) / VG+ (INNER SLEEVE) / EX/EX+ (SLEEVE): I’m of the opinion that this copy has never been played.  The A-Side grades higher than the B-Side (more like EX+/NM).  The B-Side displays a light, superficial surface ‘scuff’ across the first track (whose appearance is a little like a spindle ‘drag’ although I’m of the opinion the mark was a by-product of the production process) and some other, limited, ultra-fine marks where a little grit appears to have got between the harsh card inner sleeve and the vinyl.  When viewed under an intense light it would appear that someone has wiped the section of the playing surface displaying the superficial (i.e. no depth. non-sounding) surface mark.  I would guess this was the shop when this copy was received new.  It is obvious this copy hasn’t seen play.  The 45 is also clearly unplayed and sits inside a crisp MCA label bag.  The inner sleeve is graded VG+ because the vinyl has started to come through the base.  The record shop stored the records separate from the sleeves and it is likely that  the bottom right-hand corner received a knock which caused the vinyl to breakthrough during this time.  There is a crease following the outline of the record in this corner but otherwise it is crisp.  The sleeve is a really crisp example and has suffered virtually no loss of print due to rubbing as a result of having been stored in a polythene sleeve it’s entire life which is rare for these Garrod sleeves who print tends to be quite thin.  The flaws are quite minor but include two digs/knocks received to the bottom edge of the sleeve and two light, small creases running parallel to the opening edge on the front.  This remains a very fine example!

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end.  I am relatively relaxed but if it is expected to take longer to make payment I expect the buyer to be proactive about maintaining a dialogue with me.  Payment is possible via PayPal and Personal Cheque.  Other forms of payment will be considered.

I have had to bring my postage charges in line with Royal Mail Terms & Conditions effective April 2013.  This means items with a start price <=£20.00 and which complete with a price< =£20.00 will be sent via standard post.  Items with a start price >£20.00 will be advertised with insured& tracked postage.  Items which have a start price <=£20.00 but whose final price is >£20.00 will be subject to extra insured postage costs.  Multiple purchases  will be consolidated usually at a reduced price to the buyer.  Please don’t make payment until you receive an invoice from me.  If you have special shipping requirements please don’t contact me after you’ve made payment with an extensive (expensive) list.  I would expect such requests to be made prior to payment.  Overseas buyers welcome!  If either domestic or overseas buyers want me to confirm postage charges then please contact me before the auction’s end.  Proof of Postage is always obtained and retained.