Uriah Heep – The Magician’s Birthday Bronze ILPS 9213 EX

	£		23
	$		30

Uriah Heep – The Magician’s Birthday was issued in the UK in 1972 on Bronze ILPS 9213. It was the band’s fifth album.

The story line is "based loosely on a short story" written by Ken Hensley in June and July 1972.

Even though it was recorded mere months after the preceding Demons and Wizards, the album features a notably different sound than the band's previous albums, with the aggressive hard rock toned down in favour of a cleaner sound with more progressive elements, something which had only been hinted at previously.

Tracks:

Side 1

1.       Sunrise                

2.       Spider Woman

3.       Blind Eye             

4.       Echoes in the Dark                 

5.       Rain                     

Side 2

6.       Sweet Lorraine

7.       Tales

8.       The Magician's Birthday

Musicians:

Mick Box: Guitars

David Byron: Vocals

Ken Hensley: Keyboards, Guitars, Moog synthesizer

Lee Kerslake: Drums, Percussion, Kazoo

Gary Thain: Bass

Produced by Gerry Bron

Recorded at Lansdowne Studios, London

This is a first UK pressing for the German market. The labels are the UK Bronze ILPS 9213 yet the matrices bear the German catalogue number C 86456 A1 / C 86456 B1. The unlaminated gatefold sleeve – famously a Roger Dean design – was manufactured in Germany and has moderate edgewear, creasing down and around the spine and mild ringwear to the rear. Spine text is legible. It is in Very Good + condition overall. As there was no lyric inner with this copy, I have photocopied both sides from another copy I own and stuck them together. Obviously this is not ideal but is much better than no insert at all.

The vinyl is in Excellent condition overall with one or two faint hairlines visible and an occasional light pop and bit of crackle audible on playback. The labels are clean and unmarked with barely a trace of spindlewear.

I am not a dealer but a serious collector. All my records come from my private collection. Please read my ME page for details of my philosophy on descriptions and gradings. I absolutely guarantee my gradings as played through my system. All my records are cleaned on a Moth Mk II RCM and play-graded in their entirety on a Rega Planar 3 turntable with RB300 tonearm and Denon DL-304 MC cartridge tracking at 1.5 g through an azur 840a amp via Chord Odyssey 4 bi-wired cable into KEF Q900 speakers. Inferior component-type turntables without proper tracking are more prone to sticking and jumping than high-grade turntables. If you love vinyl, do yourself a favour and invest in a decent system if you don't already own one. You don't have to pay thousands. Excellent quality 2nd hand turntables are available on eBay for around £100 (about the price of 1 rare LP). Your investment will be more than rewarded by the additional listening pleasure you derive.

BUT if, unexpectedly, you are unhappy for any reason, please get in touch.

Please see my other similar LPs for sale. Over the coming weeks and months I will be listing lots of classic prog, psych, folk and jazz LPs. Don't miss out - keep watching and bookmark me in your favourite sellers. Once they are gone, they are gone!!

Grading :

M = Mint - as new

NM = Near Mint - very few, light signs of usage that don’t affect play - the cover has only minor signs of wear.

EX = Excellent - some signs of usage, but very little lessening in sound quality – the cover might have slight wear and/or creasing.

VG = Very Good - 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.

G = Good - 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.

+ and - are used as appropriate.

Payment

Payment is expected within 3 days of auction end. PAYPAL is welcomed. In the UK cheques or direct credit into my bank account (please ask for the account details) are also fine. 

Non-paying bidders will be reported to eBay.

Shipping Policy :

If not still sealed, records are taken out of the sleeve to avoid splitting. They are posted in professional mailers with proper stiffeners for extra protection. These are pre-used and so are provided free of charge. A polythene sleeve is also always included. 

WITH EFFECT FROM 2nd APRIL 2013, ROYAL MAIL HAVE AMENDED THEIR SERVICES AND PRICES. THE RATES BELOW TAKE THESE REVISIONS INTO ACCOUNT.

Although the cost of some services have increased, or the compensation elements have been stripped away or reduced, in some instances costs have been reduced, e.g. I have calculated that I can ship 3 low value LPs in the UK for under £3.00. 

Postage / Shipping Charges

UK (for packages up to £20 in value)

1 – 3 LPs            £2.90

4 – 6 LPs            £5.90

UK (for packages up to £50 in value)

1 – 3 LPs            £3.95

4 – 6 LPs            £6.95

Larger quantities, please enquire. Costs are always kept to the absolute necessary minimum.

All packages with a value exceeding £50 will be sent SPECIAL DELIVERY GUARANTEED by 1pm unless you decline it.

Value £50 to £500

Up to 500gms (1 – 2 LPs – actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.)     =  £7.25

501gms up to 1 kg (2 – 4 LPs – actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.) =  £8.50

OVERSEAS

Standard Airmail to all parts of the world contains no compensation.

I have quoted shipping rates up to 1kg which is 3-4 LPs. Please enquire about rates for larger numbers.

Compensation for packages with a value up to £50 is available via Royal Mail INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR or AIRSURE services. Compensation through these services can generally be extended up to £500 for an additional fee of £8.00  or £9.00, depending on territory. If you decline to pay for insurance, the goods will be shipped Standard Airmail AT YOUR OWN RISK. Standard Airmail charges are as follows:

Europe

Up to 500gms (1 – 2 LPs – actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.)     =  £5.25

501gms up to 1 kg (2 – 4 LPs - actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.)           =  £8.15

Europe (compensation up to £50 or £500)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £5.00 or + £8.00

The Americas / Asia / Rest of the World  

Up to 500gms (1 – 2 LPs – actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.)     =  £  7.85

501gms up to 1 kg (2 – 4 LPs - actual number depends on thickness of vinyl, gatefold or single sleeves etc.)  =  £13.55

The Americas / Asia / Rest of the World (compensation up to £50 or £500)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £6.00 or + £9.00