EDINBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL Vol 2 UK 1963 TEST PRESSING, inc ANN BRIGGS.

	£		44
	$		58

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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 arrived damaged in them at some time. More details on my packing 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 ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important to 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 will now be blocked 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.

Album Title: EDINBURGH FOLK FESTIVAL – Vol 2.

Artist or Band: Various Scottish Folk Artists

Producer(s): Nathan Joseph. The editing by Gus Dudgeon

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Nadia Cattouse (Back to Back); Ray Fisher (When I Was Noo But Sweet Sixteen); Lou Killen (My Husband’s Got No Courage in Him); Hamish Imlach (Johnny Remensky); Ann Briggs (Let No Man Steal Your Thyme); Ian Campbell Folk Group (Fiddle Tunes); Jill Doyle (All The Week); Hamish Imlach (McPherson’s Rant.

Side 2: Matt McGinn (You Cannae Kick Around Here); Archie Fisher (I Loved a Lass); Jean Hart (Hamba Lilli); Ian Campbell Folk Group (Shoals of Herring); Dolina MacLennan (Mouth Music); Owen Hand (Inveray); Ray & Archie Fisher (Kishmul’s Galley).

Label/Format: Decca – ultra rare 1963 Test Press with text and stamped as seen each side in my pictures. These have a matt, smooth finish with a deep outer ring ridge.

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only two or three very light, fine and faint spindle marks and no wear around the hole area. Such early Test pressings are rarely ever seen, especially in this condition.

Cat Number: LK 4563.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

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: 141 grams. A typical very solid, top quality Decca pressing.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: The standard records are scarce. But a Test pressing dating way back to 1963 that has remained probably played only once or twice, will prove near impossible to find. This a very rare opportunity for folk purists and collectors of prized Test pressings.

Original Year of Release: 1963

Matrix Nos: ARL-6097-1K / ARL-6098-1K

Mothers / Stampers: 1 B / 1 B [an ultimate first pressing with ‘B’ being the very first in the BUCKINGHAM sequence]

Musicians: All artists and songs are listed further up.

Brief Info: An ultra rare 1963 Test Pressing and Volume 2 of the two Edinburgh Folk Festival Decca records issued almost back-to-back. I am also offering Volume 1 as well as another near identical Test pressing. Many such copies fail to have the cover, but both albums I am offering include them. Not only that, they still have the original inner sleeves that have the Sample Record broken seal sticker on the opening edge, as seen in close-up. Both records date back to the time of the first Beatles album, so hardly a surprise the covers have aged a little, but the records are in amazing condition, barely played and not ruined by usage on heavy-tracking mono record players. I was tempted to offer both albums on the one listing, but thought better of it as some folk collectors may own one or the other – but in some way, it would be a shame to split the pair that have been together for over 50 years. Volume 2 here on offer includes future Scottish folk legends with lovely performances by Ian Campbell, Archie Fisher (who is joined by his sister Ray), this lady has a highly impressive voice. Also included is the legendary Anne Briggs, with one of the purest folk voices put to record, her vinyl albums massively collectable and sort-after by folk connoisseurs. The set is well recorded and beautifully preserved and offers clean impressive mono sound. Test pressings were pressed in minuscule numbers and as the label states, are not always guaranteed to be the final version. One reason they are in such demand apart from the fact they are earliest made records ever pressed, here confirmed without any doubt whatsoever by the -1K/-1K and 1B/1B mothers and stampers. ‘B’ being the first in the sequence. These rarely, if ever be seen or offered and indeed could even be unique.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: a single format with front Clarifoil laminate. This covers all the closed edges and ends on the back via top and bottom flipbacks and the smooth spine. The main back panel is matt and smooth. Printed and made in England by Robert Stace and includes the vintage inner sleeve that even includes the (broken for access) opening edge sticker seal.

Cover Cosmetic Improvements: None Apparent.

Lamination & Front: The laminate retains fine shine, clarity and even freshness for a cover over 50 years old – where these things ever really made to last this long? Clearly yes when looked after. This has very little creasing – one on the top left corner – and no peeling, but does have some lifting on the spine edge, a mere trace near the bottom edge. The blistering is not wear as such, but an almost natural trait of Clarifoil, this has not peeled and barely even ‘broken’ or cracked. Clarifoil especially tightens as it ages. Either lifting or bowing being the case – and often both. Slight darkening around the edges and the spine ends are deeply pinched in manufacture making them look flat from the front view. The absence of dulling and only very mild rim impression from the thick record are considerable bonuses. A lovely front overall, even though it does politely remind of it’s considerable vintage, I personally have no issues with that, it simply reassures you have the real thing, like a fine antique.

Cover Back: The back is exceptional and really does defy its fragility and age. In terms of real wear, this has little else bar the usual (and expected) darkening of the edges which is incredibly light anyway. Barely any creasing, rubbing and even grubbiness very light indeed. Both flipbacks are neat and undamaged and solid. Given to how thin the card is, this cover has survived well.

Top Edge: Thin but barely worn at all with all the laminate intact and smooth. Still quite straight as well, that somewhat against the odds.

Bottom Edge: Even better if anything and super-smooth.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with very little wear. Any thickening or burring minimal and light as seen viewed end-on. One tiny nick only. Record enters on this edge and this guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: This fragile area has also survived generally well. Solid, reasonably straight with any compression modest. Both ends are very deeply pinched in manufacture, both retain very fine shape. All text is almost fully present and unworn under the solid and barely cracked laminate. Just the ‘A’ in ‘DECCA’ has scuffed

Corners: Any tip wear or rubbing light, all retain fine to very fine shape.

Cover Summary: A strong all-round example of this fragile vintage 1960’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. This still attractive, gently aged item should please many, if not most collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: NEAR EXCELLENT: again darkened with age with a little lower corner crinkle. Both window circles are crisp and undamaged with the polylining still very clear. No edge splits or repairs. What makes this important for this Test pressing record is the fact it retains the printed seal sticker on the top entrance edge. Now torn for record access of course, this can be seen in close-up. The record’s matrix details are printed in pen on the front top right corner “ARL 6097-8 1K”

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): arguably better. Just a couple of very fine surface harilines on side one, side two is barely marked at all and is more than worth of an extra (+) (at least). Can a mono record from 1963 really be graded this highly? Well yes when it has hardly even been played. A superb visual copy that is very clean with impressive shine and very solidly pressed. A copy hardly even run-in in vinyl terms, try finding one better. Visually a beautiful mono record that should please most-all collectors.

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.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This classic piece of folk history plays up to it’s high visual grading (and above) with barely anything to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed and this is an exceptional clean pressing. The odd surface trace or sporadic tick near impossible to avoid on such a record, but will a better example, especially as an ultra rare Test pressing ever be found (or even exist?) Few even standard copies will match or outperform this genuine 1B/1B first pressing I feel sure. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, this is classic early 1960s folk, right from the golden-era and will delight purists of the genre. With some legendary Scottish folk artists present including the magnificent Ann Briggs and Archie Fisher this is unmissable. This Test pressing will prove nigh-on impossible to find better and can be strongly recommended.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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 programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium 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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. 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 FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, 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 and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). 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] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 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 £3 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’.