Caravan Self-Titled UK LP First Pressing Pillar Sleeve Verve SVLP 6011 EX RARE

	£		376
	$		498

Caravan – Self-Titled (Stereo) was issued in the UK in February 1969 on MGM Verve Forecast SVLP 6011. This is a very first UK pressing with SVLP 6011 A-1 / SVLP 6011 B-1 matrices AND the ‘Sold In UK Subject To Resale Price Conditions, See Price Lists’ text. This text is important as it genuinely identifies the record as a very first pressing. This text was no longer printed on labels produced from the summer of 1969, as was also the case with the Beatles’ Parlophone releases and the various EMI labels (Harvest etc.). I have seen copies of this album without the ‘Sold In UK …’ text but with the A-1 / B-1 matrices held out for sale as genuine first pressings.

I bought this copy from the much-missed Beano’s store in Croydon in 1991. I had seen it attached to the wall (no pins through the sleeve!) for months demanding, what to me then, was an eye-watering price tag. The price was about three times more than I had ever paid for a piece of vinyl at that time. How times change! Beside it was a copy of the ‘Igginbottom’s Wrench’ LP on Deram, which was priced even higher. I wrestled with my conscience over the weeks and then swooped. I have held it for exactly 22 years. I have treasured it, stored it carefully and played it only twice – first time was when I first bought it and the last time was today. It is not mint, although it is a very fine copy, sufficient to say that it had not been treated quite as carefully in the first 22 years of its existence as it has been in the last 22.

Caravan. What a band they were. Still going of course … but no Sinclairs. Dave Sinclair … absolutely the best organ ever played by anyone in the world ever (Keith Emerson included). Utterly, utterly brilliant!

Tracks:

Side 1

1. 1.   Place of my Own
2. 2.   Ride
3. 3.   Policeman
4. 4.   Love Song with Flute
5. 5.   Cecil Rons

Side 2

1. 1.   Magic Man
2. 2.   Grandma's Lawn
3. 3.   Where but for Caravan Would I?

Personnel:

Pye Hastings: Guitar, Vocals, Bass

Dave Sinclair: Organ, Piano

Richard Sinclair: Bass, Vocals, Guitar

Richard Coughlan: Drums

with

Jimmy Hastings: Flute On "Love Song With Flute"

Produced by Tony Cox

Recorded at Advision Studios, London in October 1968

Front laminated single sleeve with flipbacks is in Very Good +(+) condition with some light creasing in the laminate and a hint of ringwear at the top (front and rear). There is no wear to the three sealed edges to speak of, but there is a tiny bit of wear to both the bottom corners and slightly more wear to the opening edges (still minor). There is also a patch of slight discolouration to the unlaminated rear. Spine text clearly legible (see photo). Still very fine for a cover now over 44 years of age.

The vinyl is in Excellent condition. Visual inspection reveals a few light paper scuffs (now has a polylined inner!). The record plays through beautifully without any sticks or jumps, no clicks or pops, just a little light crackle in the gaps between tracks. Pure psychedelic joy! The labels are clean and beautiful with just a little 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 decreased, in some instances costs have been reduced, e.g. I have calculated that I can ship 3 low value LPs (i.e. combined value under £20) in the UK for only £2.90!!! 

Postage / Shipping Charges

UK (for packages up to £20 in value)

1 – 3 LPs            £2.90

4 – 6 LPs            £5.80 (sent as two separate packages which works out marginally cheaper than one)

UK (for packages above £20 but not exceeding £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 by SPECIAL DELIVERY GUARANTEED by 1pm Next Day unless you decline it.

Value £50 to £500

1 LP                     £7.35

2 – 3 LPs            £8.65

OVERSEAS

Standard Airmail rates to all parts of the world contain only £20 compensation (insurance).

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

Compensation for packages with a value from £20 up to £50 is available via Royal Mail AIRSURE or INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR services. Compensation through these services can generally be extended up to £500 for an additional fee, depending on territory. If you decline to pay for compensation (insurance), the goods will be shipped Standard Airmail AT YOUR OWN RISK. Standard Airmail charges are as follows:

Europe

1 LP                     £5.25

2 LPs                            £6.95

3 LPs                            £8.25

Europe (compensation (insurance) between £20 and £50)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £5.30

Europe (compensation (insurance) between £50 and £500)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £8.35.

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / Rest of the World (ROW)

1 LP                     £  7.70

2 LPs                            £10.60

3 LPs                            £13.45

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / ROW (compensation (insurance) between £20 and  £50)

Same prices as those for Standard Airmail (see above) + £5.60

The Americas / Asia / Australasia / ROW (compensation (insurance) between £50 and £500)