FREE, TONS OF SOBS, 1969 UK BLACK 'BLOCK' LOGO ISLAND
£
150
$
199
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Description
From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer a lovely example of the brilliant debut album by FREE titled “TONS OF SOBS”, Catalogue Number ILPS 9089. This is an ULTRA RARE 1969 UK STEREO 2nd PRESSING on the ISLAND BLACK "BLOCK" LOGO RECORD LABEL, with a 1st issue un-laminated E. J. DAY gatefold sleeve. Complete with the original white poly-lined "Patents Pending" inner sleeve. [The record labels have a rough-textured finish and the matrix numbers are the earliest A2/B2. The Black "Block" logo pressings are the rarest variant of this album by far as they were only produced for a very short time period. They are almost impossible to find].
The sleeve is in between VG and EX condition with only light wear and a few minor creases. It's actually a very nice sleeve - the only detraction is that there has been some light touching-in of storage wear to the top and bottom edges.
The top quality Island record is visually in VG condition although this visual grading does not do it justice. It’s a very solid and inflexible pressing which sits perfectly flat on the turntable. There are some light surface marks evident on both sides, but these are mostly superficial and have barely any effect on the audio playback. The black block logo labels are unmarked other than a few faint spots from long-term storage and some spindle traces near the centres. The sound quality of these original A2/B2 pressings is outstanding - very powerful and vibrant with strong driving bass. I have critically listened to the entire album at loud volume and can confirm that both sides play EX throughout. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. I noted only half a dozen lightish ticks during a quiet passage at the start of Track 3 on Side 1, but these are not particularly intrusive and do not interfere with the enjoyment of the music. Please don't be put off by my visual grading - the record really does play almost perfectly. I think that it will be very difficult to find a significantly better-playing black block logo copy of this essential blues/rock album.
The correct white poly-lined inner sleeve is in unmarked EX condition. This carries the earliest "Foreign Patents Pending" text in the bottom corner.
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 - £9.95
Worldwide - £13.30
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