Sold Date: April 13, 2014
Start Date: April 6, 2014
Final Price: $92.10 (USD)
Bid Count: 17
Seller Feedback: 402
Buyer Feedback: 140

Welcome! Here is a first UK press of Gentle Giant (Vertigo 6360 020). On this 1970 debut album, the lineup is Derek Shulman, Ray Shulman, Phil Shulman, Kerry Minnear, Gary Green, Martin Smith. Many people would call this a first press, but technically that is not correct. Gentle Giant was released in late 1970, and a true first press would have the “large” swirl logo on the Side B label. This album has the “small” swirl logo, dating it to between summer 1971 and autumn 1972, at which time Vertigo switched to the “spaceship” label. But! It IS a swirl!

Matrix numbers and mother/stamper codes are:

Side 1: 6360020 1Y//1▼ 420 11 5.

Side 2: 6360020 2Y//1▼ 420 11 1.

Using the Record Collector grading system, what do we have here?

Sleeve: The unlaminated gatefold sleeve grades VG. Both the front and the back of the sleeve are free of any creases. There is average wear along the top and bottom edges, plus light wear to the side where the disc is inserted. There is slight wear to the spine, as well as the corners. The black-and-white inside gatefold has some minor age spotting, and surface loss to a small patch at the lower right of the opened gatefold. The sleeve is signed “Sleeve printed and made by Howards Printers (Slough) Ltd.”

Vinyl: The vinyl grades EX. Visually, it is beautiful, with the only surface mark a thin hairline near the end of Side 2, and this does not affect play. There is typical minor background noise, but nothing nasty.

Labels: Both labels are very nice, with truly minimal spindle tracking to both.

Inner Sleeve: This album has its original plastic-lined Vertigo inner sleeve. This inner sleeve is certainly age-toned, but has no splits or other detriments. The plastic lining remains firmly attached to the paper.

And, in the end: While this example of a first-press UK Budgie is not for the perfectionist, it is a very serviceable example that should satisfy most people. Please email me with any questions.

A Note on the Photos: Unless otherwise stated, any bright spots or glare in my pictures is from my camera’s flash.

Shipping: I will ship to ANY country on Earth! Just be aware that, for whatever reasons, items shipped from the USA to some countries can require several weeks to arrive at their destination. Further, if your country of residence is known to experience occasionally difficult deliveries, please consider paying for signature-required delivery. Some sellers already mandate this; I do not want to make this a requirement – again, I am not a dealer – but if I have a receipt from the Vestal, New York, post office confirming my shipment to you, that is the end of my delivery responsibility.

Pursuant to my statement above that I am not a dealer, I do NOT gouge anyone on shipping costs. If you are in the USA, figure on $4.00 for good ‘ol Media Mail; of course, you can do Priority, Overnight, you name it.

For shipments outside the USA, I generally use the value that eBay shows for First Class Mail International, although if I believe that my packing – on which I pride myself – will likely knock the cost up to the next price level, that is what I will go with initially. If the actual price turns out to be less, I will post an immediate refund for the difference.

Insurance: If you would like, I will get an insurance quote for you. I pack things very well, but if you choose to not buy insurance, I will not be responsible if something nasty happens.

Namaste, everyone!