EGG (1st Album) RARE ORIG UK 1970 DERAM NOVA EX+ LP with SUPERB SOUND.

	£		131
	$		174

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 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.

Artist or Band: EGG

Album Title: Egg.

Producer(s): Egg.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Bulb; While Growing My Hair; I Will Be Absorbed; Fugue in D Minor; They Laughed When I Sat Down At The Piano…; The Song of McGillicudie The Pusillanimous (or Don’t Worry James, Your Socks are Hanging in the Coal Cellar with Thomas); Boilk.

Side 2: Symphony No. 2: Movement 1, Movement 2, Blane, Movement 3, Movement 4.

Label/Format: Deram Nova with matt, smooth surfaces. Orange labels used for stereo copies. (Please see my label pictures).

Label Conditions: Both very clean, super fresh and highly attractive with only a small few mainly light spindle marks. This fantastic Decca-pressed record offers supreme sound throughout.

Cat Number: SDN 14.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 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: 150 grams. A typical solid, heavy pressed Decca record.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Very scarce: Deram Nova is a hugely collectable progressive label, a spin-off from the Deram label for band’s that were deemed more experimental and with lesser commercial potential. Few titles on this label are easy to find and this is no exceptional – even harder in this type of condition with both the record’s complex sound and material difficult, and the black cover rarely seen even decent. The record has several quiet passages and only the least-played and best looked-after copies are worthy of listening to, this has hardly unthing unwanted. It looks very little played and Decca’s quality pressing is again upheld. The cover is in lovely condition as well, and this one does not have that paste-on correction sticker which makes it look far nicer for the more discerning cover viewer. This includes the 3-70 (March 1970) inner sleeve as well, so a very early example with ‘1’ mother codes with C and I single stampers. A copy for the discerning prog-rock collector.

Original Year of Release: March 1970

Matrix Nos: ZAL-9409.P-2W / ZAL-9410.P-2W

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 C / 1 I

Musicians: Dave Stewart - organ, piano, tone generator; Mont Campbell - bass, vocals; Clive Brooks - drums.

Brief Info: Superb debut album from ‘Canterbury’ prog-rockers Egg, issued on the short-lived and rare Deram Nova label in early 1970. It was critically well received but failed to sell. They went on to issue a second album on Deram and that too suffered the same fate. Now highly sort-after by prog-rock collectors, but seldom found especially in high-grading conditions. This trio were clearly highly talented, their music had jazzy elements as well as psychedelia, complex music and time-structures and sounding quite similar to early Caravan and even Soft Machine minus the reeds and equally challenging. The album is largely instrumental and compellingly brilliant also with fantastic sound and production. Like most on Nova, this was overlooked and the band split shortly after the second album, Stewart joined Hatfield and the North. A third album ‘The Civil Service’ was issued with material gleaned before the end, it was issued on Virgin’s Caroline sub-label. The Deram pair are notoriously difficult to track down and this example will take a lot of beating (no pun intended). Also this copy omits the paste-on sticker on the back and I truly believe these are much harder to find, just every copy I have seen before has this sticker. This exhilarating prog mini classic will seldom be heard better or cleaner than this.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: a single format with the front laminated in Clarifoil, this wraps around the closed folds and ends on the spine back for approx half-an-inch. The back has the mono/stereo peep-hole indicator and does NOT have the correction sticker. The original blue inner sleeve fills the circle to indicate this is a stereo copy – a red inner denotes mono. Printed and made in England by Moore & Matthes Ltd.

Lamination & Front: Although laminated, this is a difficult front and very revealing. So delighted to state this has little to fault apart from a couple of fairly fine laminate creases near the left edge. Still retaining a rich shine, clarity and freshness with any dulling very light indeed as seen under angled light. Far more unusually, this has NO lifting or blisters, rarely avoided on the Clarifoil covers. Gentle rim impression is near impossible to avoid, but even this shows little, even angle viewed. Any dulling is very light and gentle as well and possibly the least I have seen. It retains an intense blackness to the ink and really looks impressive.

Cover Back: The back is equally fine and without that cover-up sticker that often wears very badly, this indeed the first example I have had without it. Any rubbing or creasing to the very revealing unprotected matt surfaces are minimal and light as are any handling traces. The peep-hole crisp and even the laminate wrap around the spine still shiny and fresh. The lack of ugly penetrating ring wear is a major plus as well.

Top Edge: Barely any wear and still quite straight, given the fact Clarifoil laminate shrinks and pulls.

Bottom Edge: Similar again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with minimal hints of wear, any thickening or burring bordering on minuscule and faint as seen viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Solid and quite straight with only a little light compression, again quite thin in manufacture. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid and uncracked laminate, also well centred on quite a narrow depth – again seen in close-up. The ends a little rubbed

Corners: Mainly small or very small tip rubs, the bottom right of the back just a little bigger. Fine to very fine shape largely retained.

Cover Summary: A very strong all-round example of this very uncompromising early 1970’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find better. Certainly one of the best ones I have seen. This very attractive cover should please many, if not most collectors and indeed could prove a significant upgrade for many. I feel without the sticker, which from my experience is far less common than those with it, look far nicer, and indeed provides a major variant for the specialist collector.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): so rare to find an album with an inner that matches the date of issue, this has the 3-70 date code (March 1970). This Decca-style inner is polylined, this is very clear indeed as seen through two immaculate window circles. Just one corner crease and a little of the blue border on the front a tad patchy, but this I am certain in manufacture. All edges sound and unsplit with no repairs. An important inner for this set as the blue colour fills the cover’s rear peep-hole to denote a stereo record inside.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): arguably better, a very fine visual copy that is clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A copy with very modest usage on all the evidence with any of the ultra fine and faint surface traces only seen with utmost scrutiny under bright angled light. These whispy traces even finer than hairlines probably from dry-cloth cleaning and totally harmess. I can hardly imagine a much better example – cover and record – surfacing soon. Visually a lovely record on a rare label that should please many, if not most 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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This brilliant, somewhat ‘lost’ prog gem plays even above it’s high visual grading with hardly 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. Superbly produced by the band, this has real high fidelity audio quality and will please the discerning rock listener. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed and this on a highly challenging recording with complex sound and arrangements – some very quiet passages too and most-all is clean and quiet. Although an exceptional clean pressing by Decca, the odd sporadic tick is near unavoidable on a record now 44-years-old, but I noted barely any at all. Few copies will match or outperform this very early pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been generally treated with due respect and not played many times. All the sound is fully focused, precise, clear and sharp, with no pressing noises or clipping. It will take an incredible example to better this significantly and nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful disc, and clearly this merits strong recommendation. If Caravan’s classic second album, on Decca is to your liking, this will be too, possibly even more so – do not risk getting Egg on your face by losing this one – this is a brilliant album.

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’.