WISHBONE ASH, PILGRIMAGE, 1971 UK MCA 1st PRESS

	£		29
	$		38

betsy50 Store

Important Information

All UK bidders please read the domestic postage information in red at the bottom of the LP description.

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the highly underrated 2nd studio album by WISHBONE ASH titled “PILGRIMAGE”, Catalogue Number MCA MDKS 8004. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the BLUE & BLACK MCA RECORDS LABEL, with a near perfect 1st issue Robert Stace gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the correct blue & white Decca inner sleeve.

The un-laminated gatefold sleeve, printed in England by Robert Stace, is in EX+ condition with barely any signs of wear and only a few tiny creases by the spine. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. You can see from the photos that this is a truly outstanding 1st issue sleeve which will be almost impossible to improve upon.

The top quality MCA record is very solidly pressed and retains a deep mirror-like shine. 

The Matrix Numbers and stampers are:

Side 1 – 7-LNMG-244-3L   1   BG   JT

Side 2 – 7-LNMG-245-1L   1   ON?

Visually the record is in EX+ condition with beautiful clean playing surfaces. There are just a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The blue & black MCA labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality MCA pressing which plays with outstanding sound quality. Playback is very clear and vibrant. Both sides play perfectly. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). This is particularly important for this album as there are several quiet passages which can easily be ruined by excessive surface sound. I think that it will be very difficult to find a significantly better-playing 1st pressed stereo copy of this wonderful album.

The correct blue and white poly-lined Decca inner sleeve is also in unmarked EX condition.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

DOMESTIC POSTAGE

The free 2nd class postage option referred to above only applies to LPs paid for by UK cheque or Postal Order.

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs paid for by PayPal must be posted using a fully trackable postal service, i.e. 1st class recorded at £3.95 or Special Delivery Next Day at £7.25. These options will be specified on the invoice. If a PayPal payment is received which does not include payment for one of these trackable services, an additional payment will be requested. This is not negotiable.  If you are not happy with the domestic postage charges please do not bid.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs