CLEAR BLUE SKY - S/T 1970 UK 1st press Vertigo Swirl LP rare prog gem EXCELLENT

	£		227
	$		301

CLEAR BLUE SKY - S/T

(although projected titles were "JOURNEY TO THE INSIDE OF THE SUN" which was still printed on the side B label, and "PLAY IT LOUD" which is blotted out in red on the spine)

A highly sought after (especially in condition as good as this) copy of this extremely rare 1970 original UK 1st pressing prog rock classic, on the VERTIGO SWIRL label, 6360 013

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  6360013 A//1 with stampers "11 4" at 12 o'clock 

Side 2  6360013 2Y//2 with stampers "11 1" at 1 o'clock

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent plus. Both sides of the completely flat vinyl have retained their original beautiful, jet black lacquered sheen and impressive luster - gorgeous! Under a bright light and with close scrutiny, a few very light wispy hairlines and paper scuffs come into view (there is a single, small - less than 1cm in length - scuff mark in the side 1 dead wax area which is just visible in normal daylight) but these are purely superficial - there is nothing here that is "feelable" or below the surface and nothing to intrude upon the brilliant audio quality which (despite a few mild, light "clicks" - see audio description below) remains impressive throughout. I have no hesitation in grading the overall condition of this vinyl as excellent.

The labels are excellent plus (EX+). Really nice labels with all black text intact upon the matt background. The iconic vertigo swirl logos, on each of the side 1 (large swirl) and side 2 labels, are perfect and there are no marks or scuffs or "nicks" at all. Look closely when the record is tilted at the right angle in a bright light and you can just about make out a few usual very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole, but apart from that - perfect! Note the text "JOURNEY TO THE INSIDE OF THE SUN" on the side 2 label which was a proposed title for this LP and it's presence on the side 2 label is indicative of a very first pressing.

The iconic Howards Printers (Slough) non-laminated outer sleeve is excellent minus (EX-).  Such an iconic sleeve, and this one still looks so good with all of the artwork, photography and colouring remaining beautifully intact and still appearing rich, vibrant and clear. The edges remain firm but there is some occasional and mild scuffing (nothing serious) on both the top and bottom edges, along with a little scuffing on each corner which do nonetheless remain nicely defined right angles.The spine is in excellent shape with a little scuffing at either end but will all text totally intact and fully legible, and note the "PLAY IT LOUD" red blotted out text which was yet another proposed title for this LP! The opening edges also remain firm but there is just the hint of some very mild "grubbiness" and age spotting adjacent to the front side opening edge and also adjacent to the reverse side opening edge - again, nothing serious at all.The inside of the gatefold is excellent overall but there is just a little, very mild ring wear towards the top edge and at the bottom of the spine there is a small area which looks like either a very mild stain or age discolouration (see photo) - again, minor but it is just noticeable. There is also a small "nick" towards the centre of the right side of the inner gatefold.  I have tried to be meticulous in my description of this gatefold - there are some blemishes but they are each minor and the overall condition remains impressive.

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent (EX). Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies, which along with it's generally excellent appearance and condition suggests that this record has been relatively underplayed. There is barely any background interference/crackle at all (just the merest hint at the very beginning and end of side 2) and there are a few mild, inobtrusive clicks : on side 1, x5 towards the end of track 1 and x2 midway through track 2 (I think caused by a tiny manufacturing "bubble"), and on side 2, x1 on track 2, x3 on track 3, and x2 towards the end of track 4. Even under a bright light it's difficult to pinpoint a reason for any of these mild clicks - perhaps it's down to dust in the grooves through decades of storage. Nevertheless, the overall audio quality is truly excellent with some true guitar wizardry and every track making for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. JOURNEY TO THE INSIDE OF THE SUN

a. SWEET LEAF

b. THE ROCKET RIDE

c. I'M COMIN' HOME

Side 2 :

1. YOU MYSTIFY

2. TOOL OF MY TRADE

3. MY HEAVEN

4. BIRDCATCHER

Comes with original poly-lined VERTIGO swirl inner sleeve with "MADE IN ENGLAND" and "British Patent..." text, with no splits or tears, just some very minor creasing and very light age discolouration, and still 100% fully functional. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly impressive condition copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after 1970 UK very first pressing prog rock gem - worthy of gracing any serious vinyl collection and only continuing to gain 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 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 during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

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 thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick 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 will be UK £5.00, Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for; 

Continental Europe £11 and Rest of the World £15, both Royal Mail 1st class/Airmail, tracked and signed for.

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

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records 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

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

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

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, discolouration, etc.

Fair

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 are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

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

Bad

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