The Pentangle Soloman's Seal ORIG UK Tan Label Reprise LP + Insert Jansch EX+

	£		28
	$		37

Original U.K. 1972 Reprise Tan Label pressing of Pentangle’s ‘Solomon’s Seal’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Reprise Records K 44197).  This features the original, high quality card sleeve and insert (both are made of a curious and clearly expensive multi-coloured card/paper).  You’ve kind of got to see an original to known what I mean (the card/paper has traces of blue and black fibres within it to match the blue/black ink which is used for the sleeve image and information).  The Reprise labels are indented (i.e. depressed) in the centre and the matrixes read ‘K 44197 A4/B4’.  This is my personal copy which I never bothered playing which is why it is going.  I never brought rubbish.  There was a time when people were spending silly money on VG records and then wisely over the past 15 years record collectors have started to appreciate a little more just what an impact condition should have on pricing.  This is a beautiful copy.  I’d think it is fairly likely that you’re looking at an example which has been played ONCE or TWICE.  Grading under an intense light there are isolated and limited, fine and thin hairline scratches but the bulk of the playing surface is mark free.  The aforementioned marks are solely a result of the vinyl being removed from the paper inner sleeve.  I’d say Side Two is inferior to Side One but in real terms there really isn’t much in it.  There are no marks of substance (i.e. which can be seen in normal light or which can be felt).  This copy has clearly never seen heavy play and is a comfortable EXCELLENT+ grade.  The sleeve repeats the same story as the vinyl – Namely that this copy has only seen very limited handling.  I’d go as far as saying that the sleeve retains such a ‘fresh’ and ‘sharp’ appearance that it looks like it was pressed recently and not over 40 years ago.  There has been no loss of print and when I say ‘sharp’ above I’m referring to the printed images.  The only real flaws all centre on the top right-hand corner.  Here there is some black ink which I believe is most likely residue from the production process (the band’s name, album’s title and tracklisting are all in black ink).  There have been two stickers in this corner.  One has been removed and has removed a limited amount of the top layer of the sleeve (not immediately obvious – You need to angle the sleeve in the light to see this) and one has been removed leaving behind some residue (without tearing the sleeve).  There is perhaps a suggestion of ‘yellowing’ around the edges of the sleeve (particularly along the spine).  The two spine corners are as sharp as the day this was pressed which is surprising when you consider that they protrude somewhat as a result of the spine having been pinched to accentuate the spine information.  The two opening edge corners have received the lightest of knocks however, the opening edge itself is still pretty sharp.  There is nothing else to say and again I’m comfortable with an EXCELLENT+ grading.  This copy has clearly sat somewhere for years.  Lastly I need to mention and grade the lyric sheet.  This is possibly one of the flimsiest (i.e. thinnest) lyric sheets I have ever seen.  How it has not torn I do not know?  We’re talking tracing-paper like.  It displays one obvious crease in one of the corners and being so thin evidence of handling as a result of the paper bending around people’s fingertips.  I think in the circumstances I’d say you’ll struggle to locate a much nicer example and I’m grading the lyric sheet as being in EXCELLENT condition.

Condition

VINYL – EXCELLENT+

LYRIC SHEET – EXCELLENT

SLEEVE – EXCELLENT+

Final Remarks

Perhaps the hardest U.K. issue Pentangle L.P. to locate and this really is a superior example.  Please check my other auctions for further folk items as well as a large run of Folk, Pop, R&B, Rock and Soul collectables in similarly immaculate condition.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

Returns Policy

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase then please contact me within 7 days of receipt.  The buyer is expected to meet the return postage costs.

Payment Methods

Domestic buyers can pay via Cheque, PayPal or Postal Order.  Overseas buyers are always welcome and are required to pay via PayPal.  Payment is expected within 7 days of auction end unless otherwise agreed.

Postage Costs

I have had to bring my service in-line with changes to Royal Mail Terms and Conditions effective of April 2013.  Previously items sent via standard post were automatically covered up to the value of £46.00 however, standard postage now only covers items up to the value of £20.00.  Items with an opening value >£20.00 will include domestic Signed For postage costs automatically.  Items with an opening value <=£20.00 and which complete with a value <=£20.00 will continue to be dispatched via standard post unless otherwise agreed (i.e. the buyer indicates a preference otherwise).  Items which have an opening value <=£20.00 but whose final value is >£20.00 will be subject to enhanced postage costs in order to cover the extra insurance which is required.  I hope this is as straightforward as I can make it?  Ultimately, please don’t make payment until you’ve received an invoice from me and if you aren’t happy with the invoice you receive then I’m always open to discussion.  Buyers should be aware that both Ebay and PayPal take a % of postage charges (i.e. they are higher than I’d ideally want them to be).

Multiple purchases will be subject to consolidated postage costs.  I will contact you at the end of the auction to confirm these costs.

Proof of postage is always obtained and retained.

Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.