I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Thin Lizzy : Shades Of A Blue Orphanage P3 Decca

This classic album plays to a superb standard with barely any background.  It has been looked after so well and the clarity, depth and power of the audio reflects that.  I suspect it has hardly been played.  There are no clicks or pops and only a minimal amount of very light static on a couple of tracks, not for long though.  The vinyl is in great condition with only a few light hairlines.

The gatefold is quite possibly the best I have ever seen.  It is so prone to wear with it having a matt finish but this one has been so well preserved over the last 45+ years.  It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  The original Decca inner is in superb condition also.

As you can see S1 has no label and there are no signs there ever was one.  The original pressing has a P-2 / P-3 matrix but this one has no P-2 on the S1 run off and the cat number ZAL 11209 is etched.  There is one like this on Discogs but it doesn't give a release date.  I suspect it may be a later pressing, maybe late 70s or early 80s.

ZAL 11209 (etched)  2  1 1  1   ---   ZAL-11210.P-3   

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T1 & T3 Mint- / T5 opening section Ex+)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T4 final third Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex++

The poly-lined Decca inner sleeve is Ex++

The S2 Decca label is Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a fine glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a small number of faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  There is no groove or surface wear and no 'bag rash' either, it's a superb looking vinyl!  The run out grooves are very clean and the one Decca label is very clean with just one tiny barely visible spindle trace.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'The Rise And Dear Demise...' is superb!  It is strong and powerful and there is no background at all.  This level is kept up as Lynott comes in and the brief pause has no intrusion either.  The opening vocal section plays with sublime clarity and it continues in much the same way.  There is no interference and I only detected a couple of minor statics.  The mid instrumental is stunning, the sound so clear and sharp, and the next vocal has no intrusion either.  The remainder is of the same standard - the clarity and audio definition from start to finish is stunning and again Downey's percussion at the end can only be described 'as new'.  I'll say Mint- although I'm not sure the minus is strictly necessary!

'Buffalo Gal' impresses on every level.  There is no interference and I only 'noticed' a small number of totally insignificant and barely audible statics, this is vinyl!  A handful towards the end that are a little more obvious but still very quiet.  Let's say Near Mint - no ticks, clicks or pops though.

'I Don't Want To Forget How To Jive' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of minor statics near the start.  Mint-

The birdsong intro on 'Sarah' has just a hint of minor static right at the start and then the piano section plays beautifully with no background.  The opening vocal is so close to that with only a handful of very quiet statics and it continues to play with exceptional clarity and warmth.  This record is over 50 years old so for such a quiet number to play with such stunning clarity is a genuine rarity and I cannot emphasise enough just how clear the audio is!  It has to grade as Near Mint at the very least.

The intro and opening vocal on 'Brought Down' has a little intermittent static but nothing intrusive and as the volume increases the audio is very strong and clear.  It continues to play in a very similar way with no intrusion and only a couple of light statics - the audio is very clean for a final track and there is no distortion.  I will grade the opening section as Ex+ and the remainder as Near Mint

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'Baby Face' plays with real quality from the get go.  The intro and opening vocal are faultless, Lynott's raw delivery very strong here.  From then on it plays with unrivalled clarity and depth and there is literally no intrusion.  Crystal clear audio and easily a Mint- version including the fade out of course.

The Spanish inspired 'Chatting Today' plays with stunning clarity and definition through every section.  The acoustic guitar 'sound' is so clear and well defined - honestly the playback is outstanding!  No ticks, clicks, pops or static this is the most 'complete' version I have ever heard and Mint is richly deserved.

'Call The Police' keeps up the standard and plays with impeccable quality.  Once again there is no interference and not even a solitary static tick.  Another Mint track I am confident in saying.

The intro on 'Shades Of A Blue Orphanage' has just one very quiet static and the opening vocal is perfect.  It's a low key number by their standards and yet it plays so clearly for the majority.  The clarity and warmth of the audio is so impressive and only the final third has some very light static here and there which is not intrusive anyway.  Barely any on the final minute if I'm honest.  I'll grade this section as Ex+ but the audio preceding it is Mint- I think that is fair to say.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in superb condition as stated with very little wear.  The edges have minimal rubbing and the spine is still strong and wide with only a small number of 'creases' and some light wear on the corners.  The top right corners are super clean and the bottom right ones have just a little wear.  The opening edges are stunning with no real wear.  The front cover has just one small white mark near the bottom edge and a handful of the usual edge creases next to the spine.  The back cover is in lovely condition with just one small corner crease bottom left and the inside of the gatefold is close to perfect with only a small number of faint spots around the bottom of the inner spine.  A fine example overall.

The poly-lined Decca inner is in fantastic condition with no side splits or tears, no marking and very little creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

ZAL 11209 (etched)  2  1 1  1   ---   ZAL-11210.P-3

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!

One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!