FREE, SELF TITLED 2nd ALBUM, 1969 UK PINK ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		125
	$		166

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 exceptional example of the brilliant second studio album by FREE simply titled “FREE”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9104. This is an original 1969 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL, with a 1st ISSUE E. J. DAY un-laminated gatefold sleeve. [The record labels are the earliest possible design for this album and have a rough-textured finish. The matrix numbers are ILPS 9104 A - #4307-1/A and ILPS 9104 B - #4308-1/B. “Bell Sound sf” is etched in the run-outs of both sides].

The sleeve is in between VG and EX condition with some storage wear to the edges and barely any creases. The front and back covers are unmarked and the opening gatefold spread is pristine. The spine is solid with most of the text legible, although it has some age discoloration. There are no rips, splits, writing or any other serious defects. Overall this is a very well preserved example of this notoriously delicate un-laminated sleeve. 

The top quality Island record is in EX condition. It’s a solid 140g pressing which retains its just pressed shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. The textured Pink Island labels with white “I” logos are unmarked with only a few short 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. Both sides play EX+ throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and virtually no unwanted noise at all. This is particularly important for this album as there are lots of quiet sensitive passages which can easily be ruined by unwanted surface sound. Playback is wonderfully full bodied with the bass very much at the forefront of the mix. It really does provide a compelling listening experience. I think that it will be almost impossible to find another perfect-playing textured-labelled 1st press copy.

Overall this is a beautiful 1st press copy of arguably Free’s most accomplished album which plays without fault.

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