Postage: UK 4.75 1 per extra record . Europe including Russia 12.50 2 per extra record . Rest of World including ALL parts of the USA 16.50 3 per extra record . All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.
Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.
ALSO: I now apply the Ebay 2-day rule for non-payment to keep things moving cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over 100 at NO extra cost that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.
FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and 0 bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I so only bid on my items if you want them.
Artist or Band: THE KINKS
Album Title: The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society
Producer s : Ray Davies
TRACK LIST:
Side 1: The Village Green Preservation Society Do You Remember Walter Picture Book Johnny Thunder Last of the Steam-Powered Trains Big Sky Sitting by the Riverside.
Side 2: Animal Farm Village Green Starstruck Phenominal Cat All of My Friends Were There Wicked Annabella Monica People Take Pictures of Each Other.
Label/Format: Pye original black and blue format with matt smooth surfaces.
Label Conditions: Wow this pair almost take you back to purchase day. Both very clean, fresh and highly attractive. Any of the tiny few spindle marks are fine and faint, this is a gorgeous record and plays with little short of perfect sound. One of the finest examples of this 1960s masterpiece I have ever seen or heard.
Cat Number: NSPL 18233
Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.
Weight of this Record: 151 grams. A typical heavyweight record from Pye, made in the era of quality.
Country of Manufacture: England
Rarity: Rare in both mono and stereo, I have never found either format easy to find as this record did not sell well. Highly in demand these days, there simply are not enough originals to go round. The cover is one of the most fragile ever issued and just finding one in intact is a bonus. This one on offer is more than just fully intact , it is in super condition. More information on this further down. The record appearing hardly played and sounds fantastic with barely anything unwanted. Few survive in such condition, and any that do can be considered rarer than rare. With so few sales and those that sold being played into submission, finding any copy that plays well is hard enough. Now regarded by many as one of the greatest albums ever issued, a sentiment I totally agree with, available copies like this are almost a collector s dream.
Original Year of Release: 1968
Matrix Nos: NSPL 18233 A-3 T STEREO / NSPL 18233 B-4 T STEREO
Stamper Codes: D 1 / H 1
Brief Artist Album Info: By 1968 The Kinks had fallen from public grace in the UK, a bizarre fact made even more inexplicable as Ray Davies was at the height of creative brilliance. Still receiving high critical acclaim, this album, totally failed to capture the imagination of most record buyers of the time. Still writing beautifully honest pop songs about everyday events no longer appealed to Kinks fans, and it simply failed to sell. Listening to this now for a more mature record seller, simply brings home just how this man s mind worked at the time, a work of absolute nostalgic brilliance and for me a strong contender for the best album ever yes TRUE as time passes like quality wine this matures and just gets better and Better and BETTER The attractive but flimsy packaging did little to help sales. Playing this album makes it s relative failure all the more bewildering every track is a classic, perfect songs performed, well perfectly. A similar fate awaited the equally wonderful Arthur that followed. Rarely ever has there been such an injustice of two albums failing to sell in the quantities they clearly should have done. Now after 48 years, there are not enough original copies to go around for the collectors who ignored this all those years ago myself very much included . I think, as collectors and music fans get older, they look back on the nostalgia of pieces like this, helped of course by inclusion of past television programmes like Heartbeat , a series set in the 1960s and using music from this, and other similar albums to help set the scene for the story lines it clearly gets more people interested in these bygone classics. The joys of the Village Green and cricket taking pictures of people to enjoy when the subjects are no longer with you the quaint old English customs and delights of the 1960s the wonderfully bizarre song about an overweight cat that just sat and got fat with sublime surreal psychedelic overtones old school friends that have disappeared, and where are they now? and wonderful steam trains and technology of the past this is diary of classic songwriting history, and a young mind working ahead of it s time the genius of Ray Davies. To get a copy of this in superb condition is a massive achievement. To say the cover is fragile is something of an understatement: even within a short time time, this flattened and creased. Even with modest use and handling, the edges got burred and torn. As the spine weakened, the laminate problems really set in, and most all seen are badly creased and often showing laminate loss. This one has some listing on the spine back, but no peeling. It retains a super spine, just look at this in my picture, the text is pristine with no tears or damage to this most fragile area. Most Kinks albums got played heavily, for those who did buy them initially, most did so freely and finding clean playing copies is always a huge challenge. For clean sound, this is certainly one of the best examples I have ever heard. This has two beautifully clean, shiny and fresh playing surfaces and labels, without doubt, it has hardly been played with minimal traces of surface marks, and no penetrating stylus marks at all. The lack of groove wear or distortion is always a massive bonus and this plays with none whatsoever. Also devoid of surface noise, pops and clicks, this is an exceptional original stereo copy. No damaging mono stylus have been near this sensational record, this is a collector s dream-piece. I hope my close-up pictures reiterate just how strong and clean this one is? Few will even get close to this these days and most fans of this wonderful band will treasure this copy. I think the great Ray and Dave Davies would approve a work of songwriting genius that will never age and now established in my personal favourite albums of all-time.
Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT : grading this incredible example of an immensely fragile and delicate cover less would not be doing it full justice. A sleeve of real beauty but so very fragile. A gatefold format with the front being only thin single thickness card. The outer faces are laminated and this ends on the inside external flipbacks. Both inner surfaces are matt, unprotected and smooth. The back retains its stereo NSLP sticker as seen in close-up to cover the mono details which was still the format of choice at this time. Clearly Pye records did not deem it viable to print a separate dedicated stereo cover. Printed and made in England and includes the plain polylined inner sleeve.
Lamination Front Back: I have rarely seen one of these looking better, for the few I have had over my Ebay trading time, I usually have to describe wear and significant issues to the flimsy card and laminate often damage as well. But this beauty has little to fault bar very likely natural lifting on the spine edge and NO damage at all. Yes this fantastic example is fully intact with no repairs, weakening of the fragile spine or tape on the sides or anywhere . All such common traits for those that do surface these days. Firstly, the front: this looks sensational with little to fault at all. Four small lifts on the spine have minimal visual impact and no cracking. A small dink crease on the bottom spine corner, if I state that is the most significant issue, it should reiterate just how fine the rest is. The laminate has super shine, freshness and clarity with hardly any other creases to be seen, even on the edges, just one on the right which is small and light. Even under light, barely even a hint of dulling or friction rubbing, the band picture looks stunning. The spine apart, all other edges have the laminate end lines with fine exposed strips. All are present indicating NO trimming, enhancements or tampering, all clean and neat with no rubbing or even chipping. I doubt if too many front on this unforgiving cover will be seen or offered.
The back is largely the same in all respects with the crease on the spine bottom even lighter, bordering on minimal. But there is more lifting with very small to moderate size blisters. These I am certain often present even from new as laminate often fails to adhere to some card surfaces. The flimsy thin card being a prime example and few, if any of these will ever be found with none. As I consider this almost the normal, my grading does not take into account of natural laminate lifting. With a pale background on this area, the lifts show little anyway and have far less visual impact that they could have had on a darker backdrop. The important factor is, they have NOT cracked and the laminate all over remains tight and solid, with no flaking, even to the spine or its folds. So rarely will this back not have rim dulling or ringwear, but, remarkably, this has avoided it, even viewed under light. Stereo copies included a smallish stereo sticker to mask the MONO NPL text, this is retained, many dry-out and fall off, but this is as solid as when applied back in 1967. It has gone transparent over time, which is totally normal and expected, so the mono information beneath can be clearly seen. The sticker, which is somewhat rare in-itself, has never been removed, picked at or tampered with, clearly it adds the final touch to this incredibly well preserved sleeve.
Cover Inner Gatefold: Wow, this is fantastic Brilliant artwork and this will remind of what this looked like from new. Both flipbacks are solid and neat and little short of looking new. A couple of fine creases on the laminate on the bottom right corner, but I am nit-picking, this is sensational. The unprotected artwork is clean and fresh and highly attractive, totally unaged. Storage for the record is via the centrefold to right. Again, this perilous and fragile area is superb with no splits, weakening or creasing, that is so rarely seen on covers like this. Only one in many will ever compare.
Top Edges: The fully laminated thin folded back is immaculate, straight as new with no scuffs or flaking. The single thickness card of the front is mostly sharp with any hint of thickening minimal as seen viewed end-on. Folded square, so parallel with NO curl, probably the first I have seen that actually lie flat.
Bottom Edges: As above, how many storage edges of this will survive to this standard will be very few indeed.
Right Edge s , and Type: The thin closed back edge is straight and neat, just the merest hint of end laminate lifting, but this being ultra critical, trying finding it better. Again the front edge is neat and crisp with minimal thickening or burring, it guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced. It being naturally protected from gentle spine tilt to left.
Spine and Text: As close to impossible to find unworn or flattened as they get. This has tilted slightly to the left, but if anyone has a totally erect and unflattened example, I sure would love to see it. This one is probably as close to as made as they realistically get these days. A superb spine that is totally unworn with ALL text present with no wear at all. Fully laminated with no peeling, clear and nigh-on unscuffed, the surface remains very smooth to the fingertip for most of its entire length. Slightly napped ends in manufacture, even these retain fine shape, overall, minimal compression, again I remind, this spine is also single thickness card. No tears, splits or repairs, rarely seen like this.
Corners: A gentle dink and crease to the left corner, in the great scheme of things on this format, this is bordering on trivial. Even the tip of this corner retains excellent shape, the others even better up to near mint with no other dinks. It proves and reiterates, even the most fragile of covers can survive the years if well stored and carefully handled.
Cover Summary: A superb all-round example of this ultra delicate, wear-prone 1960 s cover, sleeves of this era rarely came more flimsy or delicate than this. When picked up one-handed, it will bend quickly and severely crease and damage before you have time to support with the other hand. When all is said and done, this is a gorgeous original example. As stated, I have seen this and Arthur literally falling apart, split and creased into submission with the laminate actually hanging off and all edges split to shreds. This is why cellotape was often applied, even from new. Now fast approaching 50, this has barely aged at all and most-all realistic collectors will know what this is like and will be delighted to accept it for what it is. A rare item and looking beautiful to the eye not quite perfect, but the gauntlet is thrown to find a better one, even the most discerning collectors can consider this beauty. All experienced collectors and fans will know what original examples of this covers look like these days, and to find one so little worn is a rare and exceptional find. This should please most-all collectors wanting this outstanding cover.
The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: a plain white polylined inner that is UK patented with Foreign Patents Pending text. This has aged little with two crisp and neat circle windows and a very clear, barely creased, intact lining. A couple of small circle tears have been repaired and appear only as fine creases, but all edges fully intact. Hardly creased or aged at all, a probably retailer number stamp on one top corner.
Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT : with little more than ultra fine, wispy surface traces seen under bright angled light, no stylus marks, penetrating or non-penetrating. A super visual copy of this thick pressed original record, one of the earliest ever issued in stereo. Very clean indeed with scant evidence of usage. The playing surfaces very clean, fresh with lovely shine, few available stereo copies will better this, unless totally unplayed how likely is that? This has avoided the traumas and perils of the era and the equipment most often used to play them on and unless perfection is mandatory for a record this age, a visual delight.
Album Played For Grading: Yes. I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.
Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This classic record plays even above it s impressive visual grading with fantastic sound. Even very clean playing surfaces can hide dreaded distortion or pressing issues, the invisible menace of records this age, but delighted to state, this has none. One chipped or worn stylus and the damage is done with devastating, irrepairable results. This has sharp, fully focused and beautiful stereo sound which is totally distortion-free. All frequencies are sharp and clear with no clipping or break-up of the high frequencies - sound quality is superb with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Barely any surface sound at all and no pops or clicks were noted. These thick, heavyweight Pye records were tough and they needed to be to have any hope of surviving all these years. The mono copies were more at risk as tracking weights were usually so much higher, but many stereo copies were played on the same equipment as the inners of 1960s stated it was safe to play them on mono record players. The wonderful songs and stereo imagery makes for a highly enjoyable listen, this is priceless song-writing of the highest calibre with sublime lyrics. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this beautiful album, no tracking issues or pressing noises, they hardly get much better these days. The perfect pop record that even has hints of psychedelia and tons of nostalgia. This copy will match or beat most available and was a delight to hear again. Both record and cover, and even the inner are exceptional. A delightful all-round example that sets the bar high, my highest possible recommendation applies for this wonderful trip down memory lane.
End Piece: For some reason, Kinks albums when they do show up, are often more played into submission more than even Beatles or Stones albums - the reason, obvious, the people who did buy them adored them and justiably played them a lot, it s what they were bought for let s face it. For pure fine 1960s sound quality, this easily makes the grade and proudly exceeds it s high visual grading. I am always delighted to offer the rarest records in this type of condition, these are getting harder and harder to find, and there lies the difference. Both cover, record and sound are exceptional and nothing will ever beat hearing the real thing with no digital tampering or tweaking this album simply does not require it. With wonderful detail, clarity and realism of the earliest pressing, this is the way it was meant to be enjoyed just holding this record offers the ultimate pleasure. The genius of Davies at his ultimate best on this evergreen masterpiece, a priceless piece of work and this copy does it near near maximum justice. DO NOT LOSE THIS ONE sublime is too small a word for this one.
As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.
Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. 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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety also on higher-end equipment not just bits to guess a grade - 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 collector 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 it s 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. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. 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, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck MIKE.
Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracks at 2.2 grams . Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable . All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.
PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.
What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets Signed-For with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.
I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum unless on holiday . I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection . The record s are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener sandwich is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P P will be respected if at all possible but Signed-For posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My loss or damage rate is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no professional should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight . All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.
NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.
PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.
SHIPPING COSTS CONDITIONS THESE comply with EBAY S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:
Posting Packing: UK CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:
1 LP FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance Signed For 4.75
1 LP Special Delivery with Standard 500 Maximum Insurance Signed For, Next Day 7.50. this includes insurance of 500 . Add 1 per extra LP.
Posting Packing: EUROPE SCANDINAVIA. Airmail Only :
1 LP Small Packet Signed For with Standard Royal Mail Insurance 50 maximum 12.50 enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra 3 . Add 2 per extra LP.
Posting Packing: ALL OVERSEAS non-European e.g. USA ANY PART OF South America New Zealand Australia Canada Japan and other Far East Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail :
1 LP Small Packet Signed For with Standard Royal Mail Insurance 50 maximum 16.50 17.50 for double sets . Add 3 per extra LP. enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra 3
Payment Conditions:
I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.
Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.
My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.
SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE
My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch a needle mark that goes below the record s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like Early Copy rather than First Pressing if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area this is mostly unavoidable or course.
The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix mono mixes are rarely available on CD , high quality sound on clean copies played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system breathtaking sound , beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning the real thing .
