SHIRLEY & DOLLY COLLINS Anthems in Eden 1969 UK A2/B1 1st Press SHVL 754 SUPERB

	£		68
	$		89

SHIRLEY and DOLLY COLLINS - ANTHEMS IN EDEN

A truly impressive and sought after (especially in condition as good as this) copy of this increasingly rare 1969 original UK very first pressing folk classic, on the HARVEST label, STEREO SHVL 754

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  SHVL 754 A - 2  with stampers "1" and "G" at 9.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

Side 2  SHVL 754 B - 1  with stampers "1" and "G" at 9 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

Note : these are the earliest possible matrix numbers (there was no "A1") and earliest possible stampers, confimring this to not only be a very first UK pressing but also to be one of the first off the initial production run.

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent plus (EX+)...in fact some might even say "near mint". Both sides of the vinyl (nicely solid and completely flat, by the way) have retained their original beautiful, jet black lacquered sheen and impressive luster - gorgeous! In normal daylight the vinyl looks brand new and it's only under a bright light and with close scrutiny that just a couple of the wispiest of wispy hairlines come into view on each side, but these are purely superficial and there is nothing here that is either "feelable" or below the surface, and certainly nothing to intrude upon the wonderful audio quality. Clearly this record has not been played many times at all. I have no hesitation in grading the overall condition of this vinyl as excellent plus (at least!), quite remarkable for such a sought after 50 year 1st pressing antiquity such as this which originally sold in such small quantities.

The labels are also again excellent plus (EX+) and would be perfect were it not for just a couple of very, very light and small spindle trails on each label adjacent to the centre hole. Such an iconic label with all of the black writing upon the yellow matt background in perfect order and, of course, the iconic green and yellow Harvest logo totally intact. Note the presence of "THE GRAMOPHONE CO...." text around the perimeter of each label, and the absence of any "EMI" text above the green "HARVEST" text, both indicators of this being a very first UK pressing.

The Ernest J. Day fully laminated (front and back) outer sleeve is again excellent plus (EX+). Such an iconic sleeve, and this one still looks so good with all of the artwork, photography and colouring remaining beautifully intact and still appearing glossy, rich, vibrant and perfectly defined. The edges remain firm with no scuffing; the corners remain nicely defined right angles with barely any rubbing at all (just a tiny amount of rubbing on the top left corner), and the opening edges remain firm with no fraying or feathering whatsoever. The spine is also firm and in perfect condition with no scuffing at all and all text perfectly intact and legible. The only blemishes (which are very, very minor) are a single 3mm very light scuff mark in the middle of the bottom reverse side edge ("scuff" is probably too strong a word to use), just the merest hint of some occasional very, very light age discolouration adjacent to the top and bottom edges on the inside of the gatefold, and x5 0.5cm horizontal very, very light laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine (one on the front side and four on the reverse side) - these really are very, very minor blemishes. The inside of the gatefold remains in overall superb condition with all photo and art work, and text, in beautiful untouched condition. And the same can be said for the glossy laminated reverse side - flawless. Considering that this iconic gatefold sleeve is 50 years of age it's condition is quite remarkable (and beautiful).

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent plus (EX+). Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies, which along with it's generally excellent plus plus appearance and condition suggests that this record has not had many plays at all. No skips, no clicks, no "pops", no "smudging", and no background crackle or interference.  Wonderful! Surely there cannot be many, if any, UK 1st pressings of this late 1960's folk gem in better condition than this.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. A Beginning

2. A Meeting

3. A Courtship

4. A Denying

5. A Forsaking

6. A Dream

7. A Leavetaking

8. An Awakening

9. A New Beginning

Side 2 :

1. Rambleaway

2. Ca' The Yowes

3. God Dog

4. Bonny Cuckoo

5. Nellie the Milkmaid

6. Gathering Rushes in The Month of May

7. The Gower Wassail

Comes with original poly-lined Harvest record advertising inner sleeve (now a collectible in it's own right!) with no splits or tears and just a little mild age discolouration adjacent to the two front side edges, and still in excellent plus and fully functional condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly beautiful, excellent+ copy of this increasingly rare (especially in condition as good as this) and sought after 1969 UK very first pressing folk classic, with Shirley and Dolly Collins being in the vanguard of the 1960's English folk revival movement - worthy of gracing any serious vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. 

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £5.00, Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for; 

Continental Europe £10 and Rest of the World £14, both Royal Mail 1st class/Airmail, tracked and signed for

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler