GRACIOUS - RARE ORIG UK 1970 VERTIGO SPIRAL LP. SELDOM SEEN OR OFFERED.

	£		129
	$		171

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all. More details on this nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P prices as low as possible even yet another Royal Mail price hike, I will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably a little heavier.

Artist or Band: GRACIOUS

Album Title: Gracious.

Producer(s): Hugh Murphy.

TRACK LISTING:

Side 1: Introduction; Heaven; Hell.

Side 2: Fugue in D Minor; The Dream.

Label/Format: Vertigo – Original Full size spiral format with large spiral on side two. Both are matt and smooth finished (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both look superb: still very clean, fresh and attractive condition with only a ver small few light, faint and fine spindle marks.

Cat Number: 6360002.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 134 grams. A very solid weight for any record.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & SPECIAL NOTE: Rare: one of the more elusive and seldom offered Spiral titles that sold in tiny numbers. A factor to why I am offering this record because, although it looks very little played, it has suffered some scratches that DO sound in places. If this has been a more run-of-the-mill record in this condition, I would not offer it, but these coming along all too rarely and is one of those one-off Vertigos many collectors aiming to put a full run together will need. All that said, this is better than a ‘space-filler’ with much of the record playing very well indeed including the vast majority of side two that has only a very small few moderate clicks and a little gentle surface sound on the quiet intro to the long final song ‘The Dream’. There is a moderate surface scuff on side one that is pretty much ignored, but a few very fine, clearly deeper marks have clicks which include a few ‘doubles’. These fairly short-lived mostly on the quiet intro to the second song on side one ‘Heaven’, these are not too loud but audible nonetheless. Personally, I prefer clicks over groove wear and distortion, I consider them the lesser of two evils on a vinyl record, and in terms of clear sound, this offers just that. There are a few other more sporadic clicks here-and-there from the odd other tiny mark but the majority of this album still does plays well with little else to fault. But to be clear, there ARE numerous, mostly fairly light clicks present and this is NOT a copy for the more discerning or audiophile collector or listener. The cover has a couple of relatively small issues as well, but in terms of this one, it is still one of the better ones I have seen and really does still look very attractive. A smallish surface tear from a price sticker on the front just below the small title near the top right, also a very small entrance edge split on the back I neatly repaired, it now appears as a small fine crease. Obviously, this heavily textured white cover is massively prone to grubbiness and wear, the sticker pull on the front apart, this still looks impressive, the spectacular inside graphic little short of breath-taking. To sum up: it appears this record has been played little, but equally it appears somewhat carelessly. So most of the sound is clean and impressive, BUT there ARE numerous clicks mostly on the start of ‘Heaven’, a tiny few more moderate ones on side two, also a few other sporadic ones here-and-there. Without counting or going into nth degree detail, that is just about what is heard on this rare and impressive prog album. As I said, I will rarely offer any record with numerous clicks, but sometimes rarity dictates they have to be offered and there is always the right customer for the right record as long as flaw are mentioned and not left to chance – that is why I play-grade all my records from beginning to end on high quality equipment. If ‘perfection’ is always demanded from the rarest titles, quite simply, some would never be offered at all. So a genuine first issue rare album with sound issues in the form of some clicks and the odd traces of mild surface sound within the pressing – “you pays your money, you takes your choice”, as we say in the UK.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: 6360002 1Y 1 420 1 1 4 / 6360002 2Y 1 420 1 2 2

Musicians: Paul Davis - vocals, 12 string, tympani; Martin Kitcat - Mellotron, piano, electric piano, harpsichord, vocals; Alan Cowderoy - guitar, vocals; Tim Wheatley - bass; Robert Lipton - drums.

Brief Artist & Album Info: One of personal favourites from the highly collectable Vertigo Spiral label. Like so many in the swirl series, this is a very rare record and up there with the most difficult to find. Brilliant and very original progressive rock that has some classical elements within their complex blend of prog-rock. Only the third time I have had this title to offer on Ebay (and now been trading nearly 13 years), and although it has ‘click issues’ as clearly mentioned above and the odd cover flaw, it remains a very solid copy, but NOT for the more discerning for sure. Many classic and rare Spiral covers are found with huge sticker tears and worn into submission due to most all having no laminate protection and few wear much worse than this one. With both outside edges being white and very heavily textured, few survive devoid of heavy grubbiness, stains, often severe damage, deep ringwear or sticker pulls. Overall, this looks impressive, the one smallish sticker pull apart – it could still conceivably prove an upgrade for many even with this issue. Even though the record has a few marks and some DO sound, I have no qualms in offering as long as any potential bidder is aware of the facts. These do not show often and this is a quite a rare one, also one of the more interesting progressive albums on this most collectable label.

Cover Grade and Format: VERY GOOD(++): and never easy to grade a cover with a little damage. In real terms this really does look considerably better. A gatefold format, unlaminated with a heavily textured front and back with a complex mini-bubble like finish. The inside is smooth. One of the most difficult ones to ever find in anything like ‘decent’ condition, and that is no exaggeration. Printed and made in England and includes the Swirl inner sleeve.

Cover Front: Grubbiness is the main enemy of this and other similar covers. This has very little at all and even with the aforementioned sticker tear near the top right corner, it still looks very attractive and way cleaner than average. Being a white cover, this surface tear has far less visual impact and the texturing remains on this area, so this is not deep. ALL of the graphic parts in black ink are unaffected and look superb. The odd minor gentle surface crease but this is one of the cleanest I have seen and I guarantee, the one small split on the back apart, there are NO other enhancements. Clearly the surface pull is an issue, but it is quite light but present nonetheless, so be aware.

Cover Back: The back is very similar MINUS any surface tears or pulls. A small edge split I have neatly repaired and now appears as a fine crease. There are very few marks or other blemishes, the general lack of grubbiness, creasing and especially ring wear, are all major positives. The boxed VO price code (top right) is pristine as is the actual text. This includes the original ‘Warning’ text which states: ‘WARNING Copyright subsists in all Vertigo recordings’.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Minus the lovely textured finish the outside faces would be a little bland I suppose, but the inside is as spectacular as any in the Vertigo catalogue. A cartooned very saucy girl looking magnificent in this amazing centrefold. This would have made an amazing outside cover, but maybe a little too risque to be considered? This has little to fault at all with bright, vivid and fresh-looking artwork, it remains one of the classic pieces of artwork put on to a Vertigo Spiral-era cover. Just the odd hint of dulling seen more critically under angled light, this will prove hard to find better. One other positive factor on this perilous cover, there is no staining or toning at all, few ever avoid this.

Top Edges: Near moderate rubbing shows little on white surfaces.

Bottom Edges: Moderate to moderate+ near the right corner rubbing with comments as above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, quite sharp with any thickening or burring fairly mild as seen more critically viewed end-on. Record enters on this back edge that had a small thumb tear which I neatly repaired to stop the risk of it widening, stated this already I know. Both edges guaranteed untrimmed with no other enhancements.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight, uncompressed and folded square, so the edges meet up perfectly together and parallel. A little patchy rubbing, most near the bottom corner. The really good news is most of the text is present and easily readable, never to be taken for graned as this is fine and quite delicate. A little minor rubbing and clipping but many of these get threadbare with none at all.

Corners: The corners have rubbed again consistent to the edges, so moderate. Fine to very fine shape largely retained.

Cover Summary: A rare and very wear and damage-prone cover with a little wear and a surface tear. But still attractive, even very attractive all considered. Not for the perfectionists of course, but being rare and elusive, sometimes compromises have to be made, or search for the near impossible at massive cost. This will please many collectors anyway.

The Swirl Inner: VERY GOOD: a little aged with the usual darkening, especiall around the adhesive part of the seams. Any creasing light with two reasonably neat window circles that have the odd small nick split, the lining present and intact but crinkled. A couple of edge splits again were repaired by myself to stop them potentially widening further and now barely visible. This is date-coded 0970 (September 1970).

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: VERY GOOD(–): arguably a conservative grading, but this does have one moderate surface scuff that is pretty much superficial. It is the few mostly small and fine, but deeper marks that sound that means a lesser grading. Also under bright angled light, some very fine harmless surface marks are seen as well. Overall, still a fine visual copy that is clean with fine shine, intense black and very solidly pressed. As I have stated above, I feel this has not been played that many times, but it appears not with the due care I would wish for any record, so it has a few visual flaws and some DO sound. Not for the highly discerning, but a great opportunity for anyone wanting a rare original Vertigo that has a little more tolerance to some clicks.

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 snippets 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: I have largely explained what this sounds like further up. But a brief recap: some fairly light clicks – some doubles - at the start of the quiet intro to ‘Heaven’, a very small few moderate ones on side two, also a few sporadic ones here-and-there. A little gentle surface sound also on the odd quiet area, but this light as played on sensitive equipment detailed further down. But the majority of this album plays very well indeed, especially when it really gets going. The lengthy ‘The Dream’ that concludes side two, after the initial very small few moderate clicks near the start, then plays impressively. So NOT for the audiophile or sound purist, but as stated, this is way better than a gap-filler for many collectors and being honest, I am more ‘click-tolerant’ than groove wear or distortion which I do hate, this for me, this remained generally a fine listen and the first copy I have had to offer for at least five years. So read my listing carefully, then make your choice, certainly a rare opportunity anyway.

End Piece: Some records due to their rarity should be considered with lower gradings. They do not get seen or offered often and when covers still look attractive to most eyes and records still offer fine, if not perfect sound, they have to be offered. This album sold in very small numbers, many ending up ‘bargain-bins’, often with huge unremovable reduction price stickers on them, and there are only modest numbers in circulation, most locked away within valuable collections. Near perfect examples do exist, I have had just one before (quite some time ago hasten to add) that was just that but they are immensely rare and command very large prices nowadays. It can be suggested this is a ‘compromise copy’ but it arguably, better than that, one that will give the more ‘average’ collector a chance. I know I regularly offer high to very high grading albums, but this is not one of them with the audible clicks. This purely a rare record with issues for the right collector at the right price - I rest my case.

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/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. 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. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are 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 at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. 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 the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

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] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

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: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. 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. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

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 necessarily 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’.