CAPTAIN BEEFHEART, TROUT MASK REPLICA, 1969 UK STRAIGHT

	£		35
	$		46

Here for auction is a superb example of the third studio album by CAPTAIN BEEFHEART AND HIS MAGIC BAND titled “TROUT MASK REPLICA”, Catalogue Number STS 1053. This is an ORIGINAL 1969 *UK 1st PRESSING* on the STRAIGHT RECORD LABEL with the EARLIEST A1, B1, C1, D1  MATRIX NUMBERS and 1st ISSUE E. J. DAY GATEFOLD SLEEVE.   

The un-laminated gatefold sleeve, printed and made by the E. J. Day Group, London and Bedford, is in VG condition (strictly graded). There is some storage/handling wear to the edges and some creasing to the top left corner. There is also a ring outline on the front cover. This is a notoriously fragile sleeve which is very tough to find in anything like tidy condition. You can see from the photos that this one is still a very presentable example with no serious problems!

The top quality Straight records are very solidly pressed. They retain a deep mirror-like shine and sit flat and true on the turntable. All 4 sides are visually in EX condition with just very light surface marks evident under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems. The beautiful Straight labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

These are top quality Straight 1st pressings. All frequencies are crystal clear and there is no discernable deterioration in sound quality. All 4 sides play with great detail and clarity with only very low levels of unwanted noise (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive). This is particularly important for this album due to the number of quiet sensitive passages which can so easily be spoiled by excessive surface sound. A significantly better playing 1st press copy may be very difficult to find!

Complete with plain white inner sleeves which are both in EX condition.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG+ Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING & POSTAGE                                                                                         

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) have to be sent International Signed-For with insurance. For LPs up to £36 in value this adds £3.50 to the standard Airmail Small Packets cost, and for LPs over £36 in value this adds a further £5.70.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE COSTS:

Europe up to £36 value - £9.95

Europe over £36 value - £12.15

Worldwide up to £36 value - £13.45

Worldwide over £36 value - £15.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: PAYMENT BY PAYPAL ONLY

For international customers that have bought LPs off me before, I am prepared to post LPs up to £36 value by standard Airmail Small Packets – but LPs over £36 must be insured.

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £36. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include a Special Delivery Next Day insurance option.