Frank Zappa Mothers Of Invention MOI Absolutely Free 1st UK Verve Stereo 1G1R

	£		32
	$		42

Frank Zappa Mothers Of Invention MOI Absolutely Free 1st UK Verve Stereo 1G 1R stamper codes! 1G1G matrices!

MORE PHOTOS BELOW!

LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES IN THEIR ENTIRETY RIGHT HERE!!!

This recording comes direct from the vinyl copy you are now bidding on, straight out of my NAD amp, into my ZOOM H2 recorder, recording directly into MP3. When including these recordings for this purpose I make no audio tweaks in any way to the audio recording I have done, I do not alter the weight of the stylus, though I do use a fresh stylus, as, I'm sure we're all aware, is healthy to do anyway, very regularly!  

And loads of the same collection here in my other items!

A beautiful example of an incredibly early pressing of Zappa’s and the Mothers’ 1967 UK edition of their 2nd LP, Absolutely Free. Although not as fervently sought after as it’s mono counterpart (due to the different mono mix) these first few Verve UK LPs are, I’m informed rarer than the MONO Issues! Not only can I say it’s an early pressing with V6 5013 A – 1 G/ B – 1 G Matrices but this in fact has incredibly early stamper numbers, on both sides 1G/1R (that is the mother number 1 at 9 o’clock on both sides and the Lacquer code “G” at 3 o’clock on side 1 and “R” on side2, which dates it as one off as early as you can get, in face the 1   G side 1 is as early as you can get, the R side 2 is the second lacquer, and sometimes they were mismatched with each other anyway, though I presume that in this instance the 1G for side one was still on, but the 1G for side 2 had been refreshed with 1R by the time this incredibly early slab of vinyl was squashed between them! This, certainly dates it to day one of pressing!

Just give you guys an idea if you're not aware of EMI stamper (9 o'clock number) and Lacquer (3 o'clock letter(s)) codes for those of you who are baffled by this sort of thing, here's the rough idea behind them...

There's alot written about this kind of thing elsewhere, so I'll just write a little...

When manufacturing a record there's a long process, from the master tapes you make some master disks to copy from- logic suggests that the earliest of these is the strongest level, then from these you make imprints/lacquers to run the disks from and again, the earlier these are, the stronger (and some say deeper grooves) the signal on the final record.

The Stamper at 3 o'clock tells you how early a master they've used- ie the earlier the number the earlier the impressing- 1 being the first, 4 obviously being later!

The Stamper/Lacquer codes at 9 o'clock can itemise more exactly how early in the process this disk has been made, but rather than numbers here they use codes, all EMI companies at this period used this code: GRAMOPHLTD - G meaning 1, L meaning 8, GD meaning 10.

The very first ones off the press (some say about the first 300ish others say up to 2000) of a record could carry 1   G on both sides. Obviously to a collector, especially a completist collector this is the grail for each record. This doesn't bother all collectors, but I include this information here for those that it does.

This record bears stamper/lacquer codes 1G  (1st)   1R   (2nd), often the stampers don't quite match, though the ones that often do are the very first 2, 1G1G and so what it seems we have here is the 1G1G pairing just after the side 2 1G plate was refreshed, however that is only guess work, I have never actually seen a 1G1G mother/lacquer coded disc of this particular album, it could be that the 1G lacquer for side 2 was never used for whatever reason… Though I think the first assertion is the most likely. If 1G/1Gs are believed to be in the first 1000 copies (generally accepted for EMI subsidiaries), this has to be considered one of the prime examples of such an early pressing of what is now a highly sought after album! Absolutely great audio, and beautifully clean vinyl!!!

This was the 2nd LP that Frank Zappa and the Mothers released in the UK and it was released first in 1967. Always controversial Zappa even seemed counter to the counterculture!

Following on from the previous years LP (which was initially released here in the UK as a single LP though was originally pressed in the US as a double (the UK re-press was a double and included the initially dropped tracks for the UK release again!), this album paved towards the next phase of the Mothers the We’re Only In It For The Money/Lumpy Gravy/Uncle Meat phase… but that’s another story (and other listings on my account at the moment so check them out!)

Conditions at a glance:

Sleeve Condition: VG+

Lovely Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. (Patents Pending!) printed front laminated flip-back sleeve. No significant shelf wear along the top or bottom edge, a tiny bit of feathering to the cardboard corners mainly on the spine side, though this is very minor. A great clean and sheer front lamination, with no breaks in it t all. 4 thumb handling indent/laminate creases are visible near the 3 o’clock mark, 4 very minor crows feet style creases in the laminate come from the spine for about 1cm each, though again these are faint!

The Spine is fully legible and clear, square with the pinched edges still clearly visible! All the flip-back tabs on the back are fully attached and none have been folded back at all, all are still nicely laminated, with no break in the laminate here either. The plain card non laminated back cover is beautifully clean, with a very feint and slight discolouration of an abrasion of some sort, in the top left hand corner, over the word “listen” and slightly on the word “Mothers”, very mild. The previous owner has carefully written his name in the top right hand corner in black ink also, but other than that, it’s of a hard to find caliber of condition!

Inner Sleeve Condition: VG-

The Original generic non die cut company “Patents Applied For            Made In Great Britain” text inner is in great condition, no nicks/rips/writing of any kind, though a 4” wear though along the bottom edge, very slight handling creases/indent, and very small discoluration at the top opening mouth are all that show that for 55years this  flimsy envelope has house a record!

Record Condition:

Visually: VG+

The sheen on this is bloody beautiful, there are a couple of very light surface marks that do not take away from it’s undoubted majesty! (I wrote the same for Lumpy Gravy, but there seemed no need to alter what I’d put both are very similar in condition!)

Audibly: EX-  LISTEN THROUGH TO THE ENTIRE LP AND JUDGE FOR YOURSELF!! (see above!!)

Like most of his albums at this time the albums are very dynamic loud and quiet which really shows off imperfections nastily! However this has beautiful clear audio. A tiny bit of groove noise (dust?) can very occasionally be heard when you turn up top frequencies and listen in headphones on very quiet passages, the only places I was able to catch it out was on the ointro to Duke of Prunes (although I could still be imagining that! And the fadeout of side 1. And a tiny bit in the silences between the different parts of America Drinks etc on side 2. This really is incredible audio, not just for a record over 55 years old, but even for a modern record!

Labels Condition: VG+

A few very light spindle marks centered around the spindle hole are the only evidence on these stain-free/abrasion-free/fade-free/etc-free! Glorious Black Original UK Verve labels. Really Gorgeous!

As with a number of the amazingly preserved, seminal albums of the 60s included in this collection, the previous owner devised a sneaky way of identifying his records from other peoples’, he engraved hi name, very carefully and neatly in the dead-wax (near where the matrix would be found) on one side of the record, on this record it is written at about 9 o’clock on side 1, in text 4mm high and about 3cm across, in between the run out grooves, taking massive care not to stray close to the playing surface, run-out grooves, matrix/stamper/lacquer info etc (it goes around the “1” mother code),  or label. Please see photos of this, I have tried to catch it in the light, but in truth it is as discreet, if not more so, than the Matrix info!

Matrix/Stamper/Mother/Lacquer Info etc:

Side 1:

V6   5013 A   -1G

1                  G

Side 2:

V6   5013 B   -1G

1                  R

No KT tax code (or any other) appears anywhere on either the label or the deadwax of this record (in fact I didn’t think any Zappa Verve UK albums had the embossed centre KT tax codes until I came across the amazingly early 1R1R stamper numbered copy of Freak Out I also have up for sale at the moment! But strangely in the same collection a 1G1G copy of We’re Only In It For The Money (the album that followed this one) also has a central KT code… The plot thickens! This is also sadly up for sale!

I HAVE EVERY ORIGINAL ZAPPA/MOTHERS OF INVENTION UK VERVE LPS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW, ALL WITH EITHER THE VERY 1ST LACQUER/MOTHER CODES OR VERY NEARLY, AND ALL IN INCREDIBLE CONDITION!!! SO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS RIGHT NOW!!!!   

 PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY ITEM THAT GOES OVER £36 FINAL BIDDING PRICE I INSIST ON SENDING IT INSURED, AS SUCH POSTAGE WILL COST A LITTLE MORE, PLEASE WAIT FOR ME TO INVOICE YOU IF THIS APPLIES, ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WAIT I WILL EXPECT TO PAY THE EXTRA BEFORE I SEND OFF THE ITEM... MANY THANKS!

Photos Below,

Be sure not to miss any of the other rarities from this collection and others, that I will regularly be listing, by adding me to your favourites list!

Check out the rest of this collection here in my other items!

The beautiful lustre of side 1!

The lovely label of side 1 (also the matrix at 6 o'clock, and the carefully etched name of the previous owner at  9 o'clock can be made out)

The matrix ends A-1 G, and the mother reads "1" (first) and the lacquer code reads "G" (also the very first! Rare!)

The beautiful side 2!

The lovely label of side 2, like side 1, the only diminishing feature at all on these labels are the small amount of light spindle-marks around the centre hole! Really very tasty indeed! The matrix ends with B-1 G (though the G is hard to see in this photo!) Also the Mother code reads "1" (first, and the lacquer code reads "R" second, still incredibly early, and rare!

The front cover, in this photo I tried to capture the lovely lustre of the laminate, but also the imperfections in it, the slight thumb laminate creases/indents near the opening mouth, I hope I've made them suitably visible!

The luscious back cover (non-laminated, Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd, Patents Pending text), very few imperfections here, but please do note that the previous owner's name has been written in black ink near the top.

The very legible spine, still square and "pinch corner-ed", what a beauty!

The same spine from the other end!

The beautiful opening mouth edges!

I realise I haven't taken quite as many photos as many of the other listings, including other Zappa listings, this is not on purpose, just I have had so many incredible rarities to photograph recently, I must have been a little re-miss on the day I photographed this one, if there are particular photos you require, just ask!

The inner is not photo-ed here, but is the original non-die-cut, "Patent Applied For      MADE IN ENGLAND" text inner. Though as mentioned above has a wear through for some of the bottom edge, other than that lovely and clean etc!

This record comes from an incredible collection of very early (1G1G, 1B1B etc laquer numbers) presses of some of the very sought after 60s LPs, the condition is remarkable, and the earliness of the laquers unique in my experience! I am listing this collection in it's entirety (though I would love to buy it all- I have taken nothing out!), over the next weeks, there are some things have never seen before, such as a Beatles For Sale with the central KT taxcode pressing INWARDS to the record! 1G1G Verve Zappa albums! A lot of Dylan TMOQ (The Mark Of Quality) and other 60s/70s bootlegs, the 3 Decca Birds singles (featuring amongst others Ronnie Wood), various Widespines (Sgt Peppers, Zappa's Lumpy Gravey etc), REMIX 11 copy of Beatles REVOLVER in really lovely condtion, Velvet Underground on early Verve... Please watch this space! I have been clearing out of non-record related stuff over January, but am listing back again now with avengance! Please refer to the pre-christmas sales' feedback for my pedigree of strict grading! Many thanks!

I will of course, if you aren't ENTIRELY happy with your item offer you a full refund upon a quick return of the item, in exactly the same condition I sent it out in, I wont however cover the postage costs- just in order to put off any time-wasters, I hope you understand. I do have here some REAL MEGA-RARITIES, and I understand perhaps your confidence in me might not be complete, as I haven't listed for a while, which is why I offer this offer of full re-embursment. However I am not a fan of the trend of people trying it on and asking to keep the item but want a partial re-fund, I haven't had it happen to me, and want to keep it that way, so please don't try that, I will happily offer your full winning bid money back upon the safe return of the item, and I think that's fair. 

I am very strict with my grading, having been a collector myself for many years, and I try to include as much relavent information as possible on sales, however if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask, I will gladly resond as soon as I can.

One thing I would ask is that the winning bidders do leave feedback, as it's annoying when people overlook it.

I happily offer reductions of postage costs on multiple-items, 

I try grade using direct sunlight which shows up more than anything (hence where poss I take my photos in direct sunlight too), however living in the Pennine Hills, contrary to popular rumour it isn't sunny here EVERY day! So when this isn't always possible, as a backup I also use a 100 Watt lightbulb, though when poss I try to use both.

My Record Grading System:

Mint: I'm really loathe to use this term, if you ever catch me using it, it must be sealed, but also no holes in seal, and no knocks/bangs/other shelf-wear to seal. Doubt you'll ever catch me using it, makes me wince when I hear people dropping that casually into conversations about a record they just picked up on a carboot/found in a loft etc!

Near Mint: Probably still sealed, or possibly played once or twice, but I'm unable to see ANY proof it's been played ie. no spindle marks/surface abbrasions OF AN KIND even in the strongest light, in short, I have a strong suspicion this, whilst possibly not fully sealed has never been out of it's sleeve!

EX+: Must have been reverantly played about as many times as you can count on your hands! Absolutey nothing audible at all, and you'd have to be looking hard in strong light to find fault with any none audible elements of this record package. If I get hold of a record that sounds, and looks like it could have just been carried home from the shop this is about as high as I go unless in exceptional circumstances. In most instances I've found records like this I'd consider them the final upgrade, I'd even consider some sealed records EX+.

EX: Straight Excellent has to mean just that, the kind of copy you wonder how somebody kept it in that condition whilst still having a social life, especially rare in 50s/60s albums, certainly not a grade to be taken lightly or thrown about willy-nilly. Nothing should be audible to the listener during songs, and even in the silences I'd only allow the most minute groove noise.The kind of record that you'd have to look a long way to upgrade!

EX-: A Bloody lovely record, I'd allow the tiniest ticks to be audible on this, so long as they are only a handful throughout the entire record, and they are WELL back in the mix. This is a record/sleeve/insert etc. that has clearly been owned, but looked after to a degree that you ask questions about the previous owner's social life! Perfect for DJ-ing (in this I mean no one will hear the pops! I think DJs should have the very best records around!)

VG+: The difference between VG+ and EX- for me is probably that the previous owner of an EX- possibly didn't have to worry about their collection being ruined too much, as they could count on their fingers the number of people that might have visited them annually, a VG+ is a more realistic grade, clearly played, but by a music lover, who took good care of their records. May have been present at social gatherings, but probably quickly tidied away when more rowdy guests turned up! Still usually  good for alot DJ-ing needs. 

VG: This is a good example of a record that has lived it's life without a glass bubble surrounding it, but it's owner has been quite careful, perhaps the odd feintly feelable mark if you go in search of it that would make an audible click/pop in a number of places on the records surface. Certainly won't be in any museum, but plays well from start to finnish, and whilst may not stand up to a DJs condition, alongside many collections, you'd be very satisfied.

VG-: As VG, but to a slightly heavier degree, might look a bit worse than a VG, else have the odd repeated click that bugs you in the fade-out of that epic side-ending song. Certainly not perfection, but you could do a damn-sight worse! OK for most collections, though there will be better ones that will probably come up (unless it's very rare!) 

G+:   This is starting to wane, shows more signifficant signs of wear/play/misuse. This could be through general carelesness, one bad night, or using a worn stylus, either way, certainly listenable/passable, but if you saw a better copy going at a decent price, you might think about buying it, and seeing what it's worth to sell this one.

G: Plays through but that's about it, signifficant noise that wasn't there when it was bought. Can still hear the song, but would only really be a filler. I doubt I'll sell anything this bad unless I really think someone will appreciate it in their collection. I'll take these down to the local charity shop and let them find their own homes on the whole!

I'll avoid anything less than this unless it's of signifficant interest, and then I'll clearly title is such. I really don't want bad feedback, and it isn't worth it for me, so I'll avoid this.

I feel my grading system is stricter than many I see used, but the sellers I respect on Ebay and elsewhere seem to be of the same mind as me, I'd much prefer to be known as someone who undergrades and you can get a good record from, than someone you have to wonder, "actually is their VG+ quite what I'd expect from that?". Hope I can win you over!

(SOMETIMES I MAY COME ACROSS A RECORD OF SIGNIFFICANT RARITY/DESIRABILITY THAT MAY HAVE A JUMP/STICK IN IT. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT I THINK SOMEONE MAY WANT IT (EG. IT'S COVER'S IN GOOD NICK, OR IT'S A PRIVATE PRESSING/PROMO OF LIMITED AVAILABILITY) I'LL CLEARLY MARK THIS IN THE TITLE "JUMPS" OR "WARPED" ETC.)

I have have had a few questions about international shipping costs, please do not be put off by the £14 quoted! Yes I combine postage costs, and will only charge  the cost of insured international postage, plus the costs of the packaging (I buy good cruciform boxes, and good stiffeners to post in, I am also pricing up the best way to pad your precious records, and so hopefully this next batch will even be shipped with bubble-wrap too as some of my previous batches have (please observe my feedback regarding this!! All very positive!)), the costs of my packaging will not be about £1 additionally to to costs of the insured postage only, therefore if you live in most of Europe the cost will be signifficantly cheaper than the £14 quoted, and if you buy multiple items, you will save even less! Please wait for an invoice!