IF, SELF TITLED 1st ALBUM, 1970 UK PINK ISLAND 1st PRESS

	£		74
	$		98

betsy50 Store

It is my pleasure to offer for auction a superb example of the debut jazz/rock studio album by IF simply titled "IF", Catalogue Number ILPS 9129. This is an ORIGINAL 1970 UK STEREO 1st ISSUE on the PINK ISLAND RECORD LABEL with an E. J. DAY GROUP MATT-FINISH SINGLE SLEEVE. [The record labels have a pronounced rough-textured finish. The matrix numbers are the earliest ILPS 9129 A*1 and ILPS 9129 Bv1 (where v = upside-down triangle)].

The sleeve is in close to EX condition with only light wear and a few minor creases. This is a tough sleeve to find in anything approaching EX condition due to its un-laminated thin card construction. This example is very well preserved indeed.

The solidly-pressed record is in EX condition with only a few superficial sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. The textured Pink Island labels are like new with only a few short spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays on a high quality turntable. Both sides play excellently throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all (just a touch of very light residual surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). Virtually all Island pressings of the period were pressed with a small amount of residual surface sound. I have never come across a copy of this album that plays totally silently and I doubt very much that any exist. The record offered here plays to a very high standard indeed.  

Overall this is a rare opportunity to acquire a superb copy of If's highly accomplished debut studio album which will grace any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Sony PS-X600 turntable fitted with an AT-30E MC cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is 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.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

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 - £10.95

Worldwide - £14.80