ELP Tarkus RARER UK Orig Island Pink Rim 1971 1st Press

	£		33
	$		43

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER

Album Title: Tarkus.

Producer(s): Greg Lake.

Engineer(s): Eddie Offord.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Tarkus: Eruption, Stones of Years, Iconoclast, The Mass, Manticore, Battlefield, Aquatarkus.

Side 2: Jeremy Bender; Bitches Crystal; The Only Way (Hymn); Infinite Space (Conclusion); A Time and a Place; Are You Ready Eddy?

Label/Format: Island – Original Pink rim format.

Label Conditions: Both clean and attractive with few signs of ageing, trace of ‘set-off’ on side one’s rim if being critical. Only a couple of ultra light and faint spindle traces and no wear around the hole area.

Cat Number: ILPS 9155.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 135 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Moderate in theory but the genuine first Island pressings are far, far harder to find. If you find a copy on the Island pink rim format, it does not guarantee a first pressing. In fact most found are second Island pressings or even later Manticore examples. There are several differences between a first and second Island pressing namely: a) the first pressings (as this one) have a substantially heavier vinyl weight and thickness. b) the first pressings have an A-1U/B-1U matrix number and include the ‘PORKY’ / ‘PECKO’ run out groove inscriptions and c) the cover is constructed from very thick and heavy card and was printed and made by the E. J. Day Group Ltd, the second examples were Howard’s or Robor covers. As a ‘first pressing’, this is quite a scarce record.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: ILPS 9155 A-1U / ILPS 9155 B-1U

Etchings: ‘PORKY’ / ‘PECKO’ on run-out grooves

Musicians: Keith Emerson – Hammond organ, St Marks Church Organ, Piano, Celeste, Moog; Greg Lake - Vocals, bass, electric & Acoustic guitar; Carl Palmer - Drums, assorted percussion .

Brief Info: Second brilliant album by the popular progressive trio and what a lovely copy this is, it plays beautifully with awesome clean sound and is very solidly pressed, the difference over later pressings will be immediately apparent. Never issued on the full Pink Island label, this is most often found on the later Manticore label and in actual fact I find far less copies of this title than their first and seldom in this hardly played condition. Side one is occupied by the title ‘Tarkus’ – a suite in seven parts and is an ELP classic. Virtuoso musicianship with audiophile sound quality and dynamics with all three members excelling again, this is high class, high tempo prog-rock and fans wanting a true genuine early pressed copy need not look any further.

Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very high, the original thicker card covers are even more susceptible to all forms of wear. Highly rub and ringwear prone, it’s almost impossible to find with none and this beautifully designed, but unlaminated cover is always a challenge.

Cover Grade and Format: EX, as per most, it has a little rubbing but far less than average or most. Visibility is very modest for all wear and blemishing and this is a very modest indeed especially when vulnerability is considered. Any rubbing to the front and back is actually over-emphasised by my camera flash. It’s an unlaminated gatefold format and a real heavyweight. Thick card and superbly constructed, a quality item and rarely seen even with this little wear to the ink surface. This original was printed and made in England by the E. J. Day Group Ltd.

Cover Front: With a very matt finish on thick card, this front has little chance of long lasting good looks - only the ultimate careful storage will see them still looking really nice these days. In terms of wear, this front has minimal amount: there is slight rubbing to the top and bottom but less than my picture may show due to the camera flash enhancement. Generally clean with no noteworthy creasing and few marks. This famous prog artwork will prove difficult to find much better on the less durable EJ Day original printing.

Cover Back: Very similar again and the lack of ringwear is unusual.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Very light staining (or toning) near the top edges and slightly near the bottom edge centrefold – all faint and light and that apart nothing else to fault this superb artwork. This cover does seem incredibly prone to this too.

Top Edges: Mainly light patchy rubbing, more centre front.

Bottom Edges: Very light rubbing only.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with barely any wear and no feathering. Record entered on this right outside back edge. Both front and back edges on here are open.

Spine and Text: A massively thick and robust spine and in fine condition with just a tiny few chips only. Rock solid, straight, uncompressed and square, both right edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. All text is perfect and unworn and even the foldline hinges retain near full ink cover with no rubbing – remarkable for this one.

Corners: Light tip rubs and all retain excellent shape.

Cover Summary: Do not underestimate the rarity of an EJ Day Tarkus cover, they are way harder to find than the later versions and they are definitely more prone to wear. Although a little wear and mild ageing is present, it will prove quite difficult to find significantly better.

Island Inner: VG++ with only ‘natural’ ageing and some crinkle. The earlier copies included a blue Island inner which is fully lined but has moderate gum browning on its edges. This has the pink i logo and text ‘island records ltd basing street london w11’. No edge splits or tears – the bottom corners are vented as from manufacture. Flipback construction and all solid and neat with only modest fading to the delicate colour. Glue darkening is common to these inners and most have it, on that basis, this is a very respectable and average inner.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Mint(-), A superb visual copy that is super clean with fine shine with an intense black finish. Heavily pressed in terms of this album with deep and wide grooves for super-fi sound, these have complex patterns and are pristine clean with barely any marks or blemishes. The odd faint surface trace if scrutinised. A copy hardly played or handled on all the evidence. Visually a super record that should please 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 snippetts 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 lovely heavy ‘original’ ‘Tarkus’ plays up too its visual grading with nothing to fault – and this is not the easiest record to find that will do so. With such detail and complex sound embedded, this was a record that could be easily worn if not treated with due respect and many often have crackle and distortion – this plays beautifully and has no traces of distortion or groove-wear clipping. Strong, dynamic, fully focused and powerful sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. This is a record with real hi-fi quality and will make any worthy system sound superb. Any surface sounds barely even register and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a very challenging, complex recording. Massive highs and lows in volume and intensity – yes a typical progressive album, this is a real rollercoaster ride. Few copies will match or outperform this early pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I feel very sure this record has been played very lightly and has clearly been carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this classic prog album. This copy will prove very difficult indeed to match or find significantly better. The early version’s difficulty finding in fine conditions cannot be overstated – this record 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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets out ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is no bad thing. Also: any item with a value over £40 will have to be insured as well, but for any item that sells for over £150, I will pay the extra insurance (then the lower shipping price applies).

I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) 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 TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. 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. 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 offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course of multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

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. (Only for items under £40)

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (Compulsory for items over £40).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA including RUSSIA and nearby countries. (Airmail Only):

1 LP, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, [£500 Maximum]) = £11.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP, value less than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £12.

1 LP, value greater than £40 (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500 Maximum) = £15.

For items that sell over £150, I will pay the insurance, so the lower shipping price will apply.

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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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’.