Sold Date: October 25, 2015
Start Date: October 18, 2015
Final Price: £83.56 (GBP)
Bid Count: 14
Seller Feedback: 1258
Buyer Feedback: 38

NICK DRAKE - FIVE LEAVES LEFT

RARE 1969 UK PRESSING 12" LP, ON THE SOUGHT AFTER ISLAND PINK RIM LABEL, ILPS 9105

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  ILPS 9105 A - 3U, STAMPERS 1 & G;  Side 2  ILPS 9105 B - 3U, STAMPERS 1 & R

A nice copy of this classic, sought after 2nd pressing by the the iconic Nick Drake

Both sides of the vinyl gleam and really do give off an impressive sheen. There are a number of wispy hairlines, however, more visible under a bright light. There are also a few small, pencil thin light scuffs. None of these are feelable so strictly surface only. VERY GOOD+

The matt, gatefold outer sleeve is in very good condition. Note that this is a FIRST PRESSING outer sleeve, evidenced by the "BASING STREET" text at the foot of the reverse side. There is what appears to be a water stain in the top left hand quadrant, towards that corner and the spine, which I have tried to capture on photo. The stain is certainly noticeable but it is not "garish", so as to speak. Held in a bright light, and at the right angle, there are a number of small surface scores on the front photo, and x5 1cm pencil thin abrasions towards the bottom edge.There is also some light scuffing on the top and bottom edges and further, sporadic rubbing on the spine. The spine and edges themselves are rigid and well defined, as are the corners (though some rubbing exists on each corner). Opening out the gatefold still sends shivers up my spine...lovely, with no unwanted writing and lyrics to "Sundown" (later renamed to "Three Hours"), "Saturday Sun", and "River Man". Similarly, for the reverse side all print is intact with no unwanted writing, and just a hint of grubbiness around the edges.There is some slight sleeve "warping" in the middle of the sleeve that goes right the way through to the reverse side. All this makes it sounds as if the outer sleeve is in poor condition - it's not! It is in a definite very good condition with all the aforementioned aberrations being mild in nature. I'm just trying to be precise in my description and emphasise that the condition of the sleeve is not perfect (does a "Five Leaves Left" 1st or 2nd pressing perfect sleeve actually exist?!).

 The quality of the audio is very good+ and in places borders on excellent. No skips, no nasty pops with only occasional light background crackle. Great music and a great listen. Just sit back and enjoy. 

 Each label is excellent - Just a couple of stray very light spindle traces adjacent to the centre whole on each side, otherwise each label is perfect.

The track listing is :

Side 1:

1. TIME HAS TOLD ME

2. RIVER MAN

3. THREE HOURS

4. DAY IS DONE

5. WAY TO BLUE

Side 2 :

1. 'CELLO SONG

2. THE THOUGHTS OF MARY JANE

3. MAN IN A SHED

4. FRUIT TREE

5. SATURDAY SUN

Comes in generic plain white inner sleeve.

A superb album by a brilliant musician/singer/songwriter; a classic album sadly only recognised as such until long after it's original release.

IF THIS ITEM INTERESTS YOU THEN YOU MAY LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER 60's/70'S VINYL OFFERINGS ALSO CURRENTLY ON EBAY : SOME REAL RARITIES!

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. I worked in IT for 22 years before doing a complete career change to teach Maths in a high school at the ripe old age of 45 - probably the best career move that I ever made. I took great joy in indulging the "kids" in my eclectic collection of 60's and 70's vinyl, even once dedicating a whole PSE session to the Genesis classic ""Foxtrot".  But now I am retired and a combination of space requirements and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller, and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no questions asked" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take care in removing the record from the outer sleeve and properly protecting it in a separate white inner sleeve in order to prevent outer sleeve damage in transit, and for items that sell for over £40 to non-UK bidders I insist upon postal insurance/"signed for" so please wait for an invoice before paying. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.