TYRANNOSAURUS REX T-Rex Prophets Seers… Regal Zonophone

	£		76
	$		101

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. 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, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - 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 reader – 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. The only thing I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. Variation can sometimes occur too in colour of the label scans and labels taken next to the sleeve with a digital camera, the scanned full label pictures should be the most accurate. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert. 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 or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions of their intended payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions. NOTE: I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNREGISTERED USERS, I will cancel them immediately, and sorry, I cannot give valuations on people’s personal items just for their own curiosity, no item can be accurately valued blindly.

Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: TYRANNOSAURUS REX

Album Title: Prophets, Seers and Sages the Angels of the Ages

Track Listing: Deboraarobed; Stacey Grove; Wind Quartets; Conesuala; Trelawny Lawn; Aznageel the Mage; The Friends; Salamanda Palaganda; Our Wonderful Brownskin Man; Oh Harley (the Saltimbanques); Eastern Spell; The Travelling Tragition; Juniper Suction; Scenescof Dynasty.

Cat Number: SLRZ 1005 Stereo. (This was also issued in mono)

Label and Condition: Regal Zonophone. Red and silver format. Moderate+ spindle marks on these and the original lady owner’s name too, but dont be put off - this record plays really well and (unusually) has a very fine cover, easily the hardest ‘T-Rex’ sleeve to find in nice condition. (Please see label scans for all information needed, sorry if the quality is a little below par, silver does not scan well as the light reflects. Rest assure these pair of Regals still look nice).

Country of Manufacture: Gt Britain.

Rarity: Quite scarce, and the cover is way above average but this one has not got the inner.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: YCAFX 47-1 and 48-1. The tiny pressing stampers are 1P / 1GA.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Formed in 1967 by singer/guitarist Marc Bolan, Tyrannosaurus Rex was originally envisioned as an electric sextet until a hire purchase company repossessed their equipment. Bolan was joined by percussionist Steve ‘Peregrine’ Took in an acoustic-based venture that combined his love of classic rock n roll with an affection for faerie mythology. Fans of this legend will know of his unusual quivering vocal style which often rendered his lyrics incomprehensible, but the effect was captivating and enchanting and the duo were adopted by John Peel, at the time an underground ‘progressive’ music specialist. Peel tirelessly promoted the group and they had three minor hit singles. This album is scarce and rarely do any of the Regal Zonophone albums show up these days, especially that play well and have a strong cover (this is a very difficult item). This is probably my personal favourite of the early ‘T-Rex’ albums, the opener, the familiar single ‘Debora’ here is called ‘Deboraarobed’ because its extended - the regular song is played then, halfway through it repeats itself again, but this time backwards, the overall effect is amazing with an eerie psych feel, this gem is worth any price alone.

Cover Grade and Format: EX and probably worth a (+) too, as this is very hard to find nice, it’s a single format, unlaminated and heavily textured with dark brown ink finish. The back has three massive flipbacks and it was printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd, and has the early Patents Pending on the lower flipback. This fragile sleeve is so prone to all forms of wear, it is almost as deeply textured as King Crimson’s second album and with such intensely dark brown ink this is onto a hiding to nothing. This one has avoided any heavy wear and looks really nice.

Cover Front: This front is truly exceptional, clean with hardly any rubbing, creasing and certainly no dreaded ringwear that so often blights this one. Any rub traces are are light as could ever be reasonably expected on this deeply textured front and the rich dark brown ink is still just that - no fading or major wear. Easily the best front I have yet seen.

Cover Back: This is in the same fine condition as the front, even the three delicate flipbacks, which are again textured are very strong with only mild rub traces. Still firmly stuck down with no creasing or lifting. The edges of these are very neat any feathering or fraying is almost non-existent. The owner has very neatly put her name on the base of the two statues but even this is fairly inconspicuous, so much so, I almost missed it. Almost crease-free again and any ring trace is as mild and light as possible. This back is truly exceptional on this cover.

Top Edge: Faint rub traces.

Bottom Edge: Light rub traces.

Right Edge(s), and Type: This remains quite sharp and any feathering is very mild on the front, being so dark and unprotected a faint trace of ‘whites’ on the very edge cut is almost impossible to avoid and this is again as light as it gets. Record entered on right outside edge.

Spine and Text: A neat spine, all but 2 letters are still there and near perfect - the Se in Seers is gone.

Corners: Cornerwear is light, just the tip areas have whites and shape is still quite nice.

Cover Summary: A near mint version of this cover would be priceless as its vulnerability and longevity will be amongst the most fragile around. This one is way above average and sets its own high standard. Most collectors of this famous early work should be pleased with this one.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX- to EX, this has a few, mostly minor marks, light hairlines and several faint surface traces. These are virtually all superficial and hardly any unwanted sounds are heard. These vintage grooves go deep into a very thickly pressed record and surface marks, even small mild scratches (of which there are very few) are ignored. This is very clean and retains a fine shine. I am delighted to say this is a very strong copy and it should please most fans of this highly collectable artist.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This fine record plays above its visual grading with little to nothing to fault. Strong, sound and almost totally distortion-free, all frequencies are generally sharp and clear. No pops or ticks from memory and a fine pressing, any surface sounds are minimal indeed, bear in mind the great age of this and the potential for serious groove-wear. Both channels are clean and clear and Marc’s vocals are truly magnificent, he could almost be in the room, I feel quite confident this record has been played less than the spindle marks may suggest - dont forget they can only act as a guide, some owners simply felt their way to the spindle instead of carefully avoiding using the label as a guide. What is more important here is almost the total lack of real wear around the hole area. The stereo sound and mix on this are quite amazing, the later reissued single Debora (called Deboraarobed on this original) has the full version, this has a very complex psych mix with mind numbing effects. This not the commercial glam-rock artist that followed later in the early 70s and I would imagine sales of this album were pretty modest. This is a very nice copy that sounds terrific, it will not appear often and I feel sure the audio quality of this record will please most collectors.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: A treasure, a true gem. A beautiful vocal album with Bolan sounding in top form, a very original band and sound and its uniqueness is embedded in these vintage grooves forever, yes some marks, but nothing heavy and as stated virtually all are totally ignored. Bolan was a true original and his popularity is still as high as ever. This is quite uncommercial, way out and original, this early incarnation of T-Rex were only just a cult band at this time. This one is seldom seen as an original and this record gives a great account of itself. The cover I feel is exceptional and will rarely appear much better. Most Bolan collectors will enjoy this copy - maybe not for the connoisseurs or perfectionists with the blemishes, but its overall condition will please many I feel - good luck again – Mike.

Having the Powerseller Logo: This is recognition from Ebay for the highest possible customer services, satisfaction and quality, it should reassure any potential bidder that all items are described, graded and shipped to the highest standards possible. Customer care of the highest order is a standard feature here and I am proud to have achieved this recognised standard of excellence from Ebay with help from collectors and buyers from all over the World - I thank you all.

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £3.00; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £5.50 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £7.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do NOT profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more and I often actually lose money on this part of service - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be worthwhile.

I can accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders OWN risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.