BEGGARS OPERA - PATHFINDER VERTIGO SWIRL 1st UK Press POSTER SLEEVE

	£		92
	$		122

BEGGARS OPERA - PATHFINDER
 (Vertigo 6360 073) 
RARE UK Swirl 1st Pressing 
Extremely RARE original UK first pressing of "Pathfinder" by Beggar`s Opera, released on Vertigo Records (1972). This is one of the harder swirls to find with only about 700 to 1000 rumoured to have been produced as a first press. How many would have survived?? 
Machined matrices: 1Y//1 and 2Y//1 
"Very different in sound and style from their previous two studio albums (the classically-tainted Act One and Waters Of Change), Pathfinder is probably the Scots band's strongest effort, eschewing the ELP-esque piano medleys and Bach-inspired epics in favour of poppier, more melody-orientated tunes in which Ricky Gardiner's impressive lead guitar begins to take centre stage. 
In fact, the LP liner notes declare (somewhat pompously) that Pathfinder is a completely new departure for the group, with no single song over the 7-minute mark, and a jolly, enjoyable cover of 'MacArthur Park' (...) alongside the more prosaic, prog-pop cuts such as the pacey opener 'Hobo' and the (...) rock-horror-histrionics of 'The Witch', complete with opening ear-splitting scream. Fans of early 70s prog-rock will find much to enjoy here, with Pathfinder a welcome improvement on the groups indulgent earlier material; non-aficionados may find a crumb of interest here and there, but it's an album that is very much of its time. 
An unexpected bonus proves to be the striking artwork, depicting an astronaut riding a rather stressed-out looking horse (not by Roger Dean), but it's hard not to feel slightly jaded by some of the more impenetrable lyrics, the slightly jokey tone and the bands prediliction for myths and legend-themed stories that give the whole package a rather quaint, frivolous feel." 

Vinyl: VG++. A lovely heavy earliest UK swirl vinyl. On the B side a shallow rub mark which does not constitute any problems in the audio department. The replay is simply awesome and on EX level easily. The vinyl has a beautiful glossy appearance. There are two hairlines visible and these visual flaws prevent me from rating this EX. The audio performance once again is mindblowing.
Poster sleeve: VG. A sleeve which is impossible to find with an amount of wear. It folds out and is also matt with no laminate protection. As a result there are splits on the corner folds where it has worn through. There is also an amount of corner wear from storage. Please have a look at the pics. Still a nice sleeve though and ultimately rare as hen's teeth and impossible to find now even in the UK!!

This is a great investment opportunity!!! The next prog album to go completely through the roof. Finding this album in any condition at all is nearly impossible so late in the day. Get this while you still can. This value of the album is only going to go one way ... up and up ... until it will be totally unavailable at all for a reasonable price.

Important : International postage will be registered and insured if over GBP 20.00.  Please wait for my invoice before paying. Postage will be according to Royal Mail rates. Postage is NOT a money spinning exercise for me.

Though there are rarely ever any problems with my items, I always try my very best to describe everything exactly!  PLEASE REMEMBER to contact me FIRST,  if you have any problems at all, before you leave feedback and star ratings, so I get a chance to turn any negative experience into a positive one!  I can always happily sort anything out for you, if you let me know you have a problem!  This way no one has to leave Negative/Neutral feedback - and we both walk away happy! Similarly with the amount of stars, anything less than a full 5 * rating is effectively detrimental to a seller's rating as lower ratings will incur higher Final Value Fees  and lower priority in the bid lists eventually making it unattractive to list items on Ebay at all. I know of at least one major previous Ebay seller who has decided not to list via Ebay again. Please do NOT bid if you cannot give me at least 1 chance to sort everything out to your FULL satisfaction in the unlikely event of a problem.  Thanks again!!

This an excellent investment opportunity!!! Any questions please ask me and I will try to answer soon.