I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

Fairport Convention : Unhalfbricking A-1 / B-1 1st Press 1969

This first pressing plays with very strong audio for the vast majority with only minimal interference as detailed below.  The clarity and depth of the audio is very impressive overall and whilst there are a small number of light ticks and a couple of minor clicks they really are not that intrusive.  Many sections do play with stunning quality.  The vinyl does have some hairlines but no scratches and this is definitely a case of it playing far better than its visual quality.  Don't get me wrong it is by no means in poor condition I just want to be as honest as I can.

The E.J. Day cover remains in excellent condition with minimal wear and the inner sleeve has only light wear also.

This first pressing was released on the pink Island label with the 'block' logo design and has an A1 / B1 matrix.  The earliest possible one also with the 11/111 info.

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1  1

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (T1 intro Ex- / T2 Near Mint / T4 intro Ex- then Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (T2 intro VG+ / T2 Near Mint / T3 Near Mint- / T4 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is VG+

Visual description

Under a forgiving light the vinyl looks very clean and still has a strong glossy sheen.  Only when you look under a strong bright light can you see a number of hairlines of which 4/5 are a little more obvious.  The good news is these are largely superficial as they have barely any affect on the audio.  There are no scratches either but there is some faint marking around the edge.  The pink Island 'block' labels are very clean with no marking / writing and not too much spindle wear.

Play grading  

The run in on S1 has a couple of static / click type sounds and the intro on 'Genesis Hall' plays with only minimal static.  Denny's opening vocal has only light static at the start and then plays very clearly.  It continues to play with great clarity and barely any 'background', a handful of very light ticks that is all.  The overall sound quality is very impressive and the final few seconds have only the bare minimum of very light static.  An Ex- intro and Ex+ from then on but with many sections playing better than that.

'Si Tu Dois Partir' plays with stunning quality from start to finish with no interference.  The playback is so clean and precise and Near Mint is richly deserved maybe even Mint-

The intro on 'Autopsy' plays perfectly and the opening vocal has only a minor amount of very light background static every now and again.  There are couple of light crackles after this section and thereafter plays with wonderful clarity for the vast majority.  There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of light ticks.  Ex+ overall.

The intro and first vocal on 'A Sailor's Life' play very clearly with no background static and only a very small number of minor ticks.  From then on it plays with great clarity and having listened to this 11 minute track in full I can confirm there are no clicks or pops and only a small number of light ticks.  The vocals are again very 'clean' and the long instrumental section plays with superb power and depth and with no intrusion at all.  Stunning audio!  The very quiet end section in particular plays with exceptional clarity.  The intro and opening vocal are Ex- and the remainder has to grade as Near Mint in my opinion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Cajun Woman' has a very clean intro and only after 15 seconds or so are there a couple of static ticks and then a small number of lighter ticks during the first vocal - they are quiet and not intrusive.  From then on it plays with very strong audio and no actual interference.  Let's say Ex+ overall.

The intro on 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' has a couple of light clicks and Denny's opening vocal then plays beautifully with no interference.  It continues in much the same way and the clarity of sound really does stand out here when you consider how quiet the majority of this class is.  There are a handful of ticks on the final vocal section but this does not impact on the 'listen' and some light static on the fade out also.  I will grade the intro as VG+ and the rest as Ex+ but again the majority is better than that!

The vocal only intro on 'Percy's Song' plays very clearly with barely any static and from then on plays in a very similar way.  There are no clicks or pops and no 'muddiness' to the sound either, the playback is very clean indeed.  The odd minor static sound but there is nothing that detracts from the stunning quality of audio.  The vocals are the star of the show here - the clarity is so impressive and the instrumentation is is damn fine too!  In fact the more I play it the more impressed I am and I really cannot fault the audio.  Any static is kept to an absolute minimum and Near Mint- is fair.  The second half in particular is stunning and the fade out has barely any static.  A lovely version.

'Million Dollar Bash' ends the album with superb audio and no interference.  If there is any inner groove distortion it is hardly noticeable and the clarity is very impressive.  This is Near Mint at the very least.

In summary this first pressing plays with great clarity and depth for the vast majority and only minimal interference.  Any interference you do hear is not even that intrusive.  There are no loud clicks or pops and as stated it plays so much better than the visual quality and this is why a full audio grading is required in mu humble opinion!  The cover is very clean and I am sure the winning bidder would not be disappointed with their purchase :-)

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

 The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and nothing stands out.  The edges have only light rubbing and the thin spine is very clean with minimal wear only.  Some of the letters on the band name have a little rubbing but it is still 85% legible although the catalogue number is affected a touch more.  All corners remain strong with only light wear and the opening edge is superb and looks untouched.  The front is unmarked which is very impressive when you consider it isn't laminated and has only minimal rubbing very near to the spine and the back cover only a little fading around the edges and some faint ringwear.  A very strong example overall.

I'm sure it's not the original one but the poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits, just one very small corner tear and a couple of small edge tears on the central 'window' also.  It has minimal age related fading around the edges and not very much creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ILPS  9102  A // 1  1 1

ILPS  9102  B // 1  1 1  1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!