FREE, FREE AT LAST, MINT- 1972 UK PINK RIM ISLAND A-1U/B-1U 1st PRESS

	£		45
	$		60

betsy50 Store

Hi, my name is Nick (aka cornerstonevinyl). I have been an avid record collector for many years, building up an extensive collection of mostly blues/rock, psych, progressive and classic rock 1st issue albums from the mid sixties to early seventies period. I have decided to sell off a few choice albums in either the Fixed Price or Auction formats. These offerings represent the crème de la crème of my 35 years of record collecting and are of the highest quality. My grading is strict and any significant defects will be mentioned. You can rest assured that a record that I grade as MINT- will be both visually and aurally as fine a copy as you are ever likely to find (hopefully my feedback and 4.9/5.0 "item as described" rating will bear this out). My descriptions are concise and in accordance with the GRADINGS detailed below. I will not bore you with the unnecessary duplication of song lyrics, and self-respect will not allow the use of ridiculous words like "awesome, mega, hyper", etc., or endless exclamation marks. Customer satisfaction is of the highest importance to me. In the unlikely event that you are not entirely happy with an LP bought from me for any reason, I will refund you in full upon return without any hassle.

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer an outstanding MINT- example of the fifth studio album by FREE titled "FREE AT LAST", Catalogue Number ILPS 9192. This is an ORIGINAL 1972 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK RIM ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st ISSUE ROBOR GROUP LTD matt-finish sleeve. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design with pronounced crimped spine ends. The matrix numbers are stamped A-1U and B-1U].

The sleeve is in EX condition with only very light wear and a few minor creases. The front and back covers are unmarked with unfaded colours and only minimal age discoloration. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. This is a really tough sleeve to find in true excellent condition – but this one is a beauty.  

The top quality Island record is in MINT- condition. It’s a solid 140g pressing which retains its just pressed shine and sits perfectly flat on the turntable. The Island labels are like new with only a few faint spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. It is clear that the record has only received a few careful plays. The sound quality of these original Island pressings of Free At Last is really something very special. Playback is very loud-cut and vibrant with wonderful guitar effects and impressive driving bass. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. You simply will not find a significantly better-playing copy of this wonderful album – I guarantee it.

The record is supplied with a Nagaoka anti-static sleeve liner and the original plain white inner sleeve which has a couple of small brown marks and a repaired split to one side edge.

Overall this is a beautiful barely-played 1st press copy which will grace any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega P5 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

PACKAGING        

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £5.95

Worldwide - £9.30