HENRY COW/SLAPP HAPPY - In Praise of Learning RARE ORIG UK 1975 (1G/1G) EX+ LP.

	£		71
	$		94

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £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 – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details 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 ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers will now be blocked at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: HENRY COW / SLAPP HAPPY

Album Title: In Praise of Learning.

Producer(s): Henry Cow, Slapp Happy and Phil Becque.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: War; Living in the Heart of the Beast.

Side 2: Beginning: The Long March; Beautiful as the Moon – Terrible as an Army with Banners; Morning Star".

Label/Format: Virgin – original black and white ‘Twin Virgins’ format with red overprint, these have matt, smooth surfaces. Side one is customised.

Label Conditions: Both clean, fresh and attractive with spindle marks only fine and light, showing little.

Cat Number: V 2027.

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: 116 grams. Quite light as the trend was at this time, but overall, well pressed with generally clean sound on this VERY challenging album.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Scarce: low commercial potential, this sold in small numbers.

Original Year of Release: 1975

Matrix Nos: V 2027 A-2U / V 2027 B-3U [to be clear: NOT all EMI pressed records has ‘1’ matrixes, that is a myth, the stamper below tell the real story]

Mothers / Stampers: 1 G / 1 G [ultimate first mother and stamper codes, the most prized by specialist collectors]

Musicians: Tim Hodgkinson – organ, clarinet, piano; Fred Frith – guitar, violin, xylophone, piano; John Greaves – bass guitar, piano; Chris Cutler – drums, radio; Dagmar Krause – voice; Peter Blegvad – guitar, voice, clarinet; Anthony Moore – piano, electronics and tapework; Lindsay Cooper – bassoon, oboe. With: Geoff Leigh – soprano saxophone; Mongezi Feza – trumpet; Phil Becque – oscillator.

Brief Info: The fourth Henry Cow album now again in collaboration with equally avant garde band Slapp Happy on Richard Branson’s still quite fledgling Virgin record label. When founded in 1972, Virgin almost specialised in new and more avant garde ‘progressive’ acts such as Mike Oldfield and experimental European bands such as Faust, Tangerine Dream and Gong. It probably amazed Branson himself that ‘Tubular Bells’ sold in such monumental numbers and ‘Phaedra’ even broke Tangerine Dream into the UK album charts. This new label opened many music lovers ears to more adventurous and interesting bands of the time. Henry Cow, an English band from Cambridgeshire were signed in May 1973 and quickly recorded a superb debut album (also on offer) – it was promoted with a tour supported by the Krautrockers Faust. Neither band ever sold-out to being commercial, and Henry Cow’s music, in even progressive terms, has never been anything like mainstream. They developed their own style of jazzy ‘art rock’ that was never orthodox but always compelling, their albums only bought by the curious and more adventurous music fans. ‘In Praise of Learning’ is the band’s second album with Slapp Happy and featuring Dagmar Krause on vocals. Like their previous albums, it sold in minimal numbers – it also featured the third (and final) ‘paint socks’ covers. Less instrumental with Krause, this at times reminds me of Zappa’s Mothers of Invention circa 1968 to 1970 – that is probably why I found this very much to my own personal taste. Of the three ‘sock’ cover albums, this is arguably the most difficult musically to get into. Note also the 1 G / 1 G mother and stamper codes, the very first in the pressing sequence.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT: a single format with laminated surfaces. Printed and made in England, includes the plain white inner sleeve.

Lamination – Front & Back: Both sides retain fine shine, freshness and clarity with no lifting and minimal hints of creasing. Any dulling around the rim shape as seen more critically under angled light. The graphic of the painting sock follows in a similar style to the ‘Legend’ and ‘Unrest’ albums (also on offer). The only wear of any real note is rubbing on the corners.

Top Edge: Little short of perfect: straight with full smooth laminate retention.

Bottom Edge: Practically the same but with a moderate rub on the right corner.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, fairly sharp with gentle thickening seen viewed end-on. Both are guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with barely any compression. Small rubs to the ends only, all text practically perfect under solid smooth laminate.

Corners: Light to moderate tip rubs, most on the bottom right. Very fine to excellent shape retained.

Cover Summary: A strong all-round example of this deceptively fragile 1970’s cover, one that could prove difficult to find much better. This one should please many, if not most collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): barely aged only with little to fault. A plain solid white unlined inner that looks practically as made with no edge splits or repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): a super visual copy that is very clean with equally fine shine and fairly solidly pressed. A copy with minimal plays on all the evidence with any surface traces ultra fine and faint as seen with utmost scrutiny under bright angled light. Barely anything being honest. This will prove hard to find a great deal better as a genuine first pressing – this being an ultimate ‘G’ first, like the first TWO albums I am also offering. Visually a super record that should please many, if not most collectors.

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 minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This quality avant garde prog gem plays up to, and most-all above it’s high visual grading with little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed, but total silence is nigh-on impossible with material like this – that is simply being truthful and realistic. With segments and passages of quietness a few sporadic clicks are near impossible avoid – and this has a small few here and there. Like most progressive, experimental and arty albums, there are difficult areas that will test out any vintage vinyl record, so the odd faint crackle trace or click has to be realistically expected. With Cooper’s woodwind instruments, this also has classical elements, and most vinyl listeners will know how difficult these are. But overall, a very fine pressing for what I can confirm, is a HIGHLY challenging recording and complex music. This is not music for pop fans, and this is one of their most challenging of all. I would still suggest few copies will outperform this ultimate first pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played lightly and appears generally well stored and carefully handled. Little of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this impressive record that is really to my own personal taste. One that has to be heard a few times to fully appreciate, but well worth the effort – I always prefer the more challenging bands and music. This will prove difficult to find significantly better, even with a few sporadic clicks and – unless digital silence is expected – and good luck with that – this can be highly recommended.

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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – 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 it’s 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. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. 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 Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium 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, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners 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 minuscule in over 14 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. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. 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 TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, 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 as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. 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] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 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 £2 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’.