Sold Date: September 7, 2017
Start Date: August 31, 2017
Final Price: £391.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 38
Seller Feedback: 1450
Buyer Feedback: 41

MANDY MORTON and SPRIGUNS - MAGIC LADY

A truly superb copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after 1978 UK 1st pressing electric folk classic on the coveted BANSHEE label, STEREO BAN 1011

This wonderful record is offered as part of a Mandy Morton/Spriguns trilogy that I am currently advertising on ebay and all timed to end on the same evening - see my other ebay adverts if you are interested. These records have only had one previous owner, who I know was absolutely fastidious in his love and care of vinyl. I can assure you that no further upgrades are required to these records, each of which sold in very small quantities upon their initial release thus ensuring that these 1st pressing copies (especially in such magnificent condition as this) are beyond rare.

 Matrix Numbers :

Side 1 C 2938 (machine stamped)  SRS - 28 - A (hand etched)

Side 2  C 2938 (machine stamped)  SRS - 28 - B (hand etched)

The appearance of the vinyl is outstanding! Completely flat with beautiful, jet black lacquered sheen and clean, clearly defined grooves throughout. Even when tilted at an angle in a bright light I could not detect any of the usual wispy hairlines and/or paper scuffs. Clearly, this record has been barely played and it's beautiful appearance confirms this. NEAR MINT!

The labels are pristine. Not faint spindle trails, no "nicks" or abrasions...just perfect!

The beautiful and iconic matt textured outer sleeve is excellent. There is no scuffing or rubbing on any of the edges, including the spine, each of which remains rigid and completely devoid of any creasing. Similarly each corner remains a perfect right angle with no rubbing. There is no fraying on the opening edges. The spine is solid with some minor "waves" but that could be how it was manufactured...nothing really. The reverse side is similarly excellent with (just like the front side) the merest hint of some very mild ring wear towards the top and bottom edges and some accompanying very, very light surface abrasions, but even this is only noticeable when the sleeve is held at the right angle in the right light. The photograph of Mandy Morton on the reverse side along with all text, the art work on the front side, and all colouring and clarity seem virtually as rich and vibrant as when this record was released almost 40 years ago - incredible.

The highly sought after hexagonal insert is present, with lyrics on one side and photos of the band on the other (see photos) and is near perfect. No creasing, no pin holes...just a couple of "dot" age discolourations and one vertex containing a 1cm light crease.

Finally, the quality of the audio is stunning. No background crackle/interference at all, no clicks, no pops, no distortion...just a couple of nanosecond static clicks at the beginning of each side. Great tone and clarity at all volumes and all frequencies. Acid folk, psych folk, folk rock...call it what you like - this is just great music : Mandy Morton dedicated this album to Sandy Denny and the quality of the music ensures this to be a fitting tribute.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. Magic Lady

2. Music Prince

3. According to Mathew

4. Little Inbetween

5. Goodbye the Day

6. Silence do the Rest

Side 2 :

1. The Lady

2. White Ship

3. Witchfinder

4. Gypsy Glass

5. Ghost of a Song

6. Magic Lady reprise

Comes with poly-lined inner sleeve with no splits or tears and still fully functional and in excellent+ condition. Note that I always supply a new plain white inner as a matter of course.

Quite simply, a truly excellent+ condition 1st pressing of one of the most rare and highly sought after UK 70's folk classics...I can't imagine that there are many, if any, better condition 1st pressing copies of this beautiful album still in existence, and the same applies to the other two Spriguns records that I currently have on sale on ebay.

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

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

I try to be as accurate and as objective as possible when describing my records, sleeves, and inserts on ebay. But inevitably opinions and descriptions are always prone to some subjectivity, and opinions and what constitutes "Near mint" or "Excellent" can sometimes differ. 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 will resolve the issue I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

I always start my auctions at a low price to encourage bidding and in the knowledge that the market normally finds it's own level with the end price being indicative of the true market value of the item being advertised.

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 great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging is Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for : UK £5.00, continental Europe £10, and Rest of the World £15. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! 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.