Uriah Heep LP The Magicians Birthday UK Bronze 1U Island 1st press VG+/EX

$

29

URIAH HEEP - THE MAGICIAN'S BIRTHDAY

1ST PRESS A1U / B1U

 Up for sale is a first pressing Island/Bronze issue of this album.  Please see the pictures!  This album has the following points:  

• CATALOGUE:BRONZE ILPS 9123, no "BRON" in runout 

• MATRIX: ILPS 9123 A-1U / B-1U

• FIRST UK PRESSING MATRIX NUMBER

• G.KONG ETCHED INTO THE DEAD WAX ON BOTH SIDES

• LABELS HAVE ' MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY i ISLAND RECORDS LIMITED ' IN BLUE TYPEFACE AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE RIM

• SMALL DOT IN BETWEEN THE ILPS AND THE 9213 ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LABEL

• THE SLEEVE HAS THE ILPS CATALOGUE NUMBER IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER OF THE REAR SURFACE, AND IS PRINTED BY ROBOR (INSIDE THE GATEFOLD, BOTTOM LEFT CORNER)

The record labels have no marks, writing, etc.  There are a couple of spindle marks but no apparent wear to the spindle hole.  The record looks like it has been played a few times.  On the B side the label was placed slightly off center, resulting in an oblong shape at the spindle hole.  As far as the record itself, there are 2 light scratches that do not seriously affect the playing experience, and a smudge.  There is some very very faint and occasional background noise noticeable only between tracks, with the exception of "Rain", the final track on side 1 for which background noise is known to be an issue.  There are a few areas during the soft passages with faint background pops.  I played the record through on both sides.

The record has the "A1U" (sideways U with open end facing the A) and "B1U" (U is oriented normally, facing up) after the catalog # -- see the pictures.  I have to admit I don't understand the stamper numbering/etc. but aside from the catalog #'s here is what I see in the runout matrix:

A side has "G. Kong", "3" and "LD" spaced around

B side has "G. Kong", "4" right next to G. Kong, "5", and "T V" facing vertically opposite each other and in a parallel direction to the matrix

I can send an audio sample to anyone who is interested, please send me a question with your email address and I can record any sample you want and send to you (pending email file size limitations).

The sleeve is the original "ROBOR" sleeve with Island matrix numbers on the spine and right rear of the gatefold.  The jacket is in really nice condition, I took 5 pictures of just the jacket.  It shows very nice rich colors.  Please see for yourself the condition.  I can take more pictures and send to you if you request it.  There is a little ring wear on the top front and rear.  The bottom edge shows a little wear toward the bookend end and the middle of the bottom.  However, this is a 40+ year old jacket in excellent condition.  All 4 corners have a little wear.  No seam splits, no writing.  The right rear upper shows some scrape marks that extend about 3 inches down from the top but are not deep.

The inner lyric sleeve appears to be the original one.  It is not paper but laminated very thin more like cardboard.  It is in excellent condition also with very little to no signs of wear, no rips, tears, or writing.  On the "B" lyric side on the bottom right corner it has the Island catalog # on one line and Bronze Records 1972 on a following line.

I use the Goldmine grading system - see below for expanded grading definitions.

Album's Grading/Condition

These are the grading guidelines used and are based on Goldmine Grading for Records

MINT (M): Perfect! This record looks like it has just left the manufacturer, with NO flaws what so ever. It looks as though it had never been handled. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains. No stickers address labels, writing on the covers or labels. No tears or seam splits. No wear to the cover or record period! Age of the record has nothing to do with it.

NEAR MINT or NM, M- : this record appears virtually flawless A very minor scuff and very little else can appear on the vinyl. It should play without any noise over the flaw. The flaw is very hard to see. The cover looks as close to perfect with only minor signs of wear and or age. Minor impressions to the cover (due to the outer edge of the vinyl resting inside) may be acceptable, however the artwork is be as close to perfect as can be.

EXCELLENT or EX or VG++ : minor scuffs which are only slightly visible. There may be more than a few scuffs and NO Scratches COVER: Artwork is still as close to perfect as can be. Some impression to the cover (minor outer ring wear) but no ink wear! Some slight creases to the corners, but not wrinkled and obtrusive to the eye. The corners can show white (where the artwork pasted slick was) meaning, slight wear. No seam splits or writing on the cover or taped repairs can make this grade.

VERY GOOD PLUS or VG+ record shows wear, surface scuffs. The vinyl still has a great luster, but the flaws will be noticeable to the naked eye. If the flaws don't cause any surface noise, the vinyl can still make the VG+ grade. COVERS: A virtually clean cover, but may have small writing on it.The artwork looks clean with slightly more aging. The back of the cover usually gives away the age of the cover. Flat white paper will be somewhat yellow yet no stains or mildew from water damage. Some minor wear to the seams or spine, but no tears or holes popping through. The corners will be slightly dog eared yet no crackly bends, defacing the artwork. In essence, a VG+ cover should have no more than 3 flaws mentioned.

VERY GOOD or VG: this record is a record that is good enough. They are not really going to look very good, but it will STILL play very good. there will almost always be some surface noise when they are played. The Dynamics should still be excellent, overpowering the surface noise. A VG record will appear well have been played but still have some luster. VG covers will look worn, used. There may be some seam splitting . There will be some ring wear, where the ink has begun to wear off. Giving the cover a look of snow falling. If the artwork looks snowy all over, it is less than VG condition. There may be some writing on the cover (still, no Large letters in magic marker). It will look aged and more yellowish due to contamination's in the air (sometimes looking like cigarette smoke). Still it should be decent.

GOOD or G A good record will look very well played, dull, grayish and possibly abused. However a Good record should still play. It will have distracting surface noise. Such as crackle that is continuous or some hiss. Will also have some loss of dynamics caused from grooves being worn. It should play without any skips or any obtrusively loud pops or repeated clicks, caused by deep scratches. Good means that it will play with some form of decency, so one can still enjoy the music even though you can still hear noise caused from the wear. A Good cover will have just about everything wrong with it. It will have seam splits (possibly taped repaired, but only with scotch tape. No duct tape or masking tape repairs. These are big turn offs. May have magic marker writing on the cover but still if they are in huge letters, it is a big turn off.In essence, the cover will looked virtually trashed, but some artwork will still be noticed. If the artwork is worn, it is POOR and the cover is worthless.