Sold Date: October 11, 2017
Start Date: October 4, 2017
Final Price: £465.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 22
Seller Feedback: 1462
Buyer Feedback: 89

THE ARTWOODS - ART GALLERY

Truly rare copy of this elusive and highly sought after UK 1966 1st press R&B/mod classic on the DECCA label, MONO LK 4830

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1  XARL - 7481 - 1A with stampers "1" and "G" at 9 and 3.30 o'clock respectively 

Side 2   XARL - 7482 - 1A with stampers "1" and "G" at 9 and 3.30 o'clock respectively

The condition of the vinyl is very good. The vinyl is completely flat and each side still retains a nice gloss, but this record has had it's fair share of plays and has a good number of small surface scuffs and wispy hairlines. Nothing feelable, and nothing that seems to be below the surface and certainly nothing nasty here, simply a record that has been well played (but still has a lot of plays left in it). 

Each unboxed "Decca" label is very good+. There are two small nicks on side 2 (see photo) and some faint spindle trails on each label adjacent to the centre hole, but all writing/text remains excellent and perfectly legible and there is no unwanted writing/doodles/names. Nice.

The audio quality is again a solid very good, with no nasty pops or skips or loud clicks (just the occasional and very mild static click) and overall the tone and clarity is impressive throughout. There is some mild, background crackle which is noticeable but not particularly intrusive...in fact for most of the record it is barely intrusive at all. I stress that this crackle is not loud and does not spoil the overall enjoyment of this record but it is noticeable during some of the quieter moments and at the beginning and end of each side. There are some truly wonderful tracks on each side of this record making for a thoroughly enjoyable listen.

The iconic Robert Stace front-side laminated outer sleeve is very good with the front side photo still in excellent shape with impressive, rich colouring. The edges are virtually scuff free and each corner remains a well defined right angle with just a little rubbing, apart from the top left corner which has more obvious scuffing and a crease. There are a number of 1-2cm laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the edges,  some of which do impinge upon the spine and there is further laminate creasing in the bottom left and top right quadrants. There is some very mild fraying on the opening edges and the reverse side suffers from mild but obvious age discolouration, though there is no unwanted writing or doodles and all text remains legible. This is a delicate, fragile sleeve in the first place and I know that it's so difficult to find one of these first pressings with an excellent condition outer. So, very good overall but no better than that.  

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. CAN YOU HEAR ME

2. DOWN IN THE VALLEY

3. THINGS GET BETTER

4. WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

5. I KEEP FORGETTIN'

6. KEEP LOOKIN'

Side 2 :

1. ONE MORE HEARTACHE

2. WORK, WORK, WORK

3. BE MY LADY

4. IF YOU GOTTA MAKE A FOOL OF SOMEBODY

5. STOP AND THINK IT OVER

6. DON'T CRY NO MORE

Comes in original Decca white with blue writing poly-lined inner sleeve which has no tears or splits and remains in excellent condition and fully functional. Note that I provide an additional, separate plain white inner for shipping purposes to ensure the original inner and outer sleeves are protected as much as possible during transit.

In summary, a true 60's R&B rarity which has become highly sought after and despite it's blemishes would form a welcome addition to any serious vinyl collection and, of course, will only increase in value.

 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 listings for more 50's, 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

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. 

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 quibble" 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 great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to 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 will be Royal Mail 1st class : UK £3.00, continental Europe £6, and Rest of the World £9. 

NOTE that for items selling for more than £40 to non-UK bidders I insist upon international tracking and signed, which will add a further £2-£5 (dependent upon location) to P&P costs, so please do not pay until I have invoiced you. If in doubt then email me beforehand for a P&P cost for your country.

 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.