CURVED AIR Air Conditioning RARER LIMITED FIRST PRESS UK PICTURE DISC + SHEET.

	£		128
	$		170

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: CURVED AIR

Album Title: Air Conditioning

Producer(s): Mark Edwards

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: It Happened Today; Stretch; Screw; Blind Man; Vivaldi.

Side 2: Hide and Seek; Propositions; Rob One; Situations; Vivaldi (With Cannons).

Label/Format: Warner Bros – first issue picture disc format as seen.

Catalogue Number: WSX 3012

Mode / Speed / Format: Stereo / 33.3 rpm / Original first press picture disc.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 191 grams. A massive weight for any record.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Scarce. First pressings of this album were limited to 10,000 as a heavyweight picture disc format. They included a card replica ‘cover’ of the same disc, these are quite rare, most examples seen do not include this part which was either lost or destroyed. Indeed this round card ‘cover’ is one of the very few I have ever seen. More information on this album further down.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: WS 3102 - A1 / WS 3102 - B1

Musicians: Sonja Kristina – lead vocals; Darryl Way – violin, backing vocals; Francis Monkman – guitars, keyboards; Rob Martin – bass; Florian Pilkington-Miksa – drums.

Brief Info: The first album by progressive rock band Curved Air. Fronted by singer Sonja Kristina and electric violinist Darryl Way, they were quickly at the forefront of the British progressive rock scene and became quite popular within that genre. ‘Air Conditioning’ was issued in 1970, initially as a limited edition picture disc that many regard as the first full-length rock album to be issued as such. That is somewhat open to debate, as the somewhat obscure one-off album ‘Magical Love’ by the short-lived prog band Saturnalia was also a picture disc disc. But the issue date of that seems uncertain with dates given between 1969 to 1974 – and just about all inbetween being in guide books and internet sites. Personally, I think Saturnalia’s album was from 1969, but who can say for certain? – few even noticed it – including myself. Whatever – this is a very early picture disc that made in the format’s infancy. What I can say more definitively is, it is a superb prog-rock album that is very well recorded with amazing stereo separation and effects. But picture disc sound quality, especially the very early ones, is poor, and to more serious music listeners, almost unlistenable. Every copy of this album, as the picture disc original, have surface noise, sporadic pops and clicks, even distortion. This can vary depending on how many times it has been played, but even from new, these picture discs had unwanted contact sound – that is a fact. No music lover or audiophile listener would ever choose to buy a picture disc for its audio quality – they are an attractive gimmick that can be nice to display and collector, but most give minimal listening pleasure. The vinyl is way less pure than a standard record, the manufacturing process of including ‘pictures’ into vinyl was basic and simply causes noise. That proved something of problem in the early days, some thought the they were a gimmick band. The idea to issue a debut album initially as a picture disc was not really a wise idea. Few, if any, would have been happy with the audio quality, even played on basic record players. So quite quickly, the album was repressed with the same catalogue number (briefly) on standard black vinyl and included a conventional cover with artwork as per this picture disc. Over time, the picture disc album has become collectable – the units sold were relatively small in record sales terms – certainly by prog-rock collectors and band completists – it’s a lovely thing to own, but not to play, that is simply being honest. I own all Curved Air’s original albums myself up to ‘Airbourne’, but would only want to listen too the black vinyl version of this first album. But the collection would never be ‘complete’ without the picture disc first pressing. This is a very fine example, evidences suggests hardly played (no real surprise there), but has considerable contact sound throughout. It includes the quite rare round ‘cover’, which is simply a piece of single thickness card. I presume it included a basic plastic bag sleeve, but that is not included. So the contents are stored in a brand new protective sleeve and inner sleeve. One for collectors – not audiophiles – getting scarce, and more than an interesting historic curio in record manufacturing history as one of the earliest pictures disc albums ever made. Some still say it was the very first.

The Card ‘Cover’ Sheet: NEAR EXCELLENT: a round single thickness card sheet printed both sides and looking just like the actual picture disc record. This had a neat smallish rim tear which I have neatly repaired, so it modest visibility. Some fairly light evidence of handling with a few light marks but creasing has been avoided. No fading, this still also lies flat and remains attractive. This so often missing altogether these days, this is now scarce.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: lovely shine and fresh looking, any surface marks fine and faint seen under light. Detail less easy to see compared to a standard black record. No matter how clean these look, they will still not play well.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

IMPORTANT – Sound Quality: Quite a famous album because it introduced a new style of progressive rock with a female vocalist and electric violin as a lead instrument. But equally famous as one of the very first picture discs ever made. Like every other copy of this I have heard as an original picture disc, it plays with at least moderate and quite consistent surface and contact sound as mentioned above. This a well-known fact and trait of this pioneering new venture into picture disc gimmickery. A collectable record for sure, but few will ever be happy to actually listen to it, but be assured, most-all will sound similar (and potentially worse than this one that appears hardly used – it’s actually one of the better ones I have heard – but I would not choose to listen to it for pleasure – I cannot be more honest). It plays through without tracking issues*, but is quite noisy in places, as are the majority of picture discs, especially the early ones. The aforementioned ‘Magical Love’ by Saturnalia, is even worse than this album, those often did not even play through at all with as much noise as actual music (unfortunately, that was never repressed like this one). Curved Air fans and collectors will need this for their collection, but for listening purposes, stick to the ‘second issue’ black version that followed soon after this had gone. So not recommended for listening purposes, but a great example to view, including the scarce card ‘cover’, for collectors.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.