DONOVAN HMS Donovan RARE UK 71 Dawn with V. RARE POSTER

	£		125
	$		166

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.50. Europe £12 (£13 for double sets). Rest of World £16 (£17.50 for double sets). ALL signed for. – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment – returns within 14 days only. I try to keep my P&P as low as possible after the very significant Royal Mail price increases.

Artist or Band: DONOVAN

Album Title: HMS Donovan [includes the ORIGINAL, and very rare poster].

Producer(s): Donovan & Mickie Most.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: The Walrus and the Carpenter; Jabberwocky; The Seller of Stars; Lost Time; The Little White Road; The Star.

Side 2: Coulter’s Candy; The Road; Things to Wear; The Owl and the Pussycat; Homesickness; Fishes in Love; Mr. Wind; Wynken, Blynken, and Nod.

Side 3: Celia of the Seals; The Pee Song; The Voyage of the Moon; The Unicorn; Lord of the Dance; Little Ben; Can Ye Dance.

Side 4: In an Old Fashioned Picture Book; The Song of the Wandering Aengus; A Funny Man; Lord of the Reedy River; Henry Martin; Queen Mab; La Moora.

Label/Format: Dawn – light purple format. These were issued virtually at the same time as the orange ones. In fact these records carry the same matrix numbers and weight and I have in the past had a copy of this that had one record on orange and the other purple. These were pressed almost simultanously and I hardly even deem a purple label copy to be a repress – especially as so new of these were made at all. (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: All little short of immaculate: very clean, fresh and incredibly attractive, without doubt hardly even played. Spindle traces on all are beyond few and faint with barely even a trace on any – try finding a copy of this album better.

Cat Number: DNLD 4001.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of these Records: 145 / 136 grams. Very good solid weights for this album.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Firstly, this is a rare album in it’s own right. It sold very poorly, the popularity of folk had subsided and even the once popular Donovan was now struggling to sell records in significant amounts. This a real shame as this double set is an absolute joy. There was now were more popular styles of music on offer - hard rock, progressive rock with glam-rock just around the corner. So finding early examples of this acid-folk classic is far from easy. A small few ‘first’ pressings included a poster, a large and truly beautiful one too. For the few who did shell out and buy this record that included one, most could not resist but to display it (and why not?). After time, a high percentage were torn down and discarded or ruined by the trauma of wall hanging (tears, pieces missing and strong evidence of mounting etc, etc). This copy DOES include an ORIGINAL poster, that is UNMOUNTED and in superb condition. I have in the past offered impressive reproductions of this most elusive and rare large format poster, but this IS the genuine article and only the third one I have ever seen. My repro versions are made in three separate pieces and joined together and the format of this poster would prove beyond difficult to reproduce in any other way. It remains one of the most difficult to find posters ever issued, especially my a major act. I know a poster cannot be played, but this insert acts as a major part of this set. The artwork is gorgeous in line with the main cover, but totally different. Of equal importance, and probably more so for the audiophile listener, this copy plays beautifully with barely anything of note unwanted – and that is a massively difficult task. Dawn records are known for variable pressing quality and so many of these crackle badly and often incur pressing noises and distortions. The delicate and fragile nature of the music means these records do not tolerate being played on old mono, heavy-tracking equipment – and quite honestly, this pair look barely even played and truly do remind of new. A purple label pair pressed to a very high standard indeed and without doubt, on virgin vinyl. Just about every orange label copy I have seen have imperfections and impurities seen within the vinyl – this pair have NONE. The difference this makes for clean sound is massive. Thus this superior pressing (and is really is), plays practically devoid of irritating crackle and surface noise that the majority fail to lack – this to on a copy played probably once prior to my mandatory sound check. Lastly, the main cover is very prone to wear as all unlaminated gatefold doubles set invariably are. Again this is exceptional and has clearly been very carefully looked after. A small rub on the bottom fold of the spine and only faint rub traces on the front seen under light, but little else and the lack of ringwear and it’s genuine freshness makes this also exceptional. For those collectors needing this acid-folk classic – so sadly neglected and ignored at the time – this beautiful example sets the standard to be beaten. I am almost reluctant to let this go – do not lose this exceptional copy.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: DNLD 4001 A-1 *T / DNLD 4001 B-1 *T / DNLD 4001 C-1 *T / DNLD 4001 D-1 *T [these matrixes are identical to the orange label issue].

Mother & Stamper Codes: V 1 / M 1 / I 1 / R 1

Brief Info: The term ‘acid folk’ is often misused, but ths album is the perfect true ‘acid folk’ album. A truly beautiful double set that was issued on the Pye spin-off label Dawn. It sold very poorly and remains one of the most elusive albums in his catalogue. Record one has music of surreal charm, using classic children’s poetry written by the likes of Lewis Carroll, Thora Stowell and Edward Lear beautifully arranged with music by himself. Record two comprises mainly self-written material with some magical and haunting songs. Some famously covered by other artists including ‘Lord of the Reedy River’ (Mary Hopkin and Kate Bush) and the most wonderful of all ‘The Voyage of the Moon’, one of his very best songs ever. The lack of commercial success must have surprised the record company and Donovan himself. A real shame for such a treasure. Not only is the material so charming, the packaging is also noteworthy. The cover is fabulous as is the very rare large double-folded poster that so rarely shows up, especially unmounted and in lovely condition. This is the first original I have seen for some considerable time. So elusive is it, I occasionally off repro ones – in three pieces carefully glued together – but this IS the ultimate original. Of those that made into people’s collections, the law of averages states many were used, damaged and disguarded. Very few will be found better than this and the fact it is unmounted is hugely significant. Just a little mild toning seen on the centre panel area of the white back and little else to fault. For those who own this album without the poster, it really is not quite the same – a bit like those who own Black Sabbath’s ‘Master of Reality’ without the gloomy dark poster – it’s simply incomplete. But the poster for this album is MUCH RARER than the Sabbath one, and that is no understatement. As stated above, the massive bonus is both records play beautifully, and this set has a bit of a reputation of not doing so. Often noisy and less than wonderfully pressed, this was a pure joy from beginning to end with little unwanted at all. Dawn records are a lottery, but only very rarely will a ‘perfect’ pressing of this one be found. A little light surface sound or odd sporadic tick has to be expected – especially if playing on very sensitive, better quality equipment, anything on this very clean and without doubt, hardly played copy is very minor indeed and overall, this is as good as they ever get. No pressing imperfections, recycled vinyl or cutting noises on this one. When viewed under light, no dulling with supreme playing surfaces that even match the quality of Decca et al. Do not lose this spell-binding dreamy acid folk classic – it could be a long wait to find a better, genuinely complete example.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: Very High: matt gatefolds with heavy thick records inside are a sure-fire recipe for rubbing and often, major ringwear. This being more vulnerable than most because, the ink seems so fragile and uncompromising to any bad storage or heavy-handedness. A simple fact is, some covers are more resistant to wear, handling and storage than others, this one is highly intolerant with surfaces that mark very easily.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and this is a conservative grading that simply does this scant justice. An unlaminated gatefold format with matt finish. The surfaces are smooth and very matt indeed, possibly a coating applied in the manufacture process – this marks so easily. One of folk’s greatest covers, but so rarely seen like this. Printed and made in England by Howard’s. This copy, which I still consider an ‘original’, includes the superb poster both original inners.

Cover Front & Back: Beautiful with stunning artwork on both outer faces. In terms of wear, this has very little and for a gatefold double set this is remarkably well preserved. The lack of penetrating ringwear is particularly worthy of mention – this can and usually does affect both sides. Just faint dulling seen around the rim area under light (and this being critical). Minimal creasing – a few fine hairline type on the spine edge that few will ever avoid. A small rub is seen on the bottom of the spine fold and a tiny trace of tip rubbing. No fading or discolouration, this is simply out of a child’s fairytale. Under light, some light surface marks are seen to the totally uncompromising ‘soft’ ink (or coating) that is very matt and marks very easily. With normal viewing, both sides looks fantastic and up there with the best I have personally seen. I have never seen one of these without minor surface friction scuff traces at the very least. What a gem this is and it will prove very difficult to find much better. A real work of surreal art and this does it very high justice.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Practically as made, the lack of dust encroachment and toning is a significant factor, few seem to avoid it – but this one has – a fantastic centrefold that sets the standard.

Top Edges: Both immaculate: very straight, clean and unrubbed – and, this cover has NO evidence of any tipping in.

Bottom Edges: Again, both are very straight and any traces of rubbing are almost minuscule.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both mostly neat and sharp. Any thickening slight and just a few mostly small burr traces as seen more critically viewed end-on. Records entered on these right outside edges that are guaranteed untrimmed.

Spine and Text: Solid and quite thick, very straight, uncompressed and folded square, all edges meet up closely together and parallel. Any discolouration or rubbing is very light indeed and I have seldom seen the folds retain almost all ink with minimal rubbing at all. Even better news, the text is near perfect and unworn and artwork practically the same, just a small rub to the bottom front fold, that apart, this spine would prove near impossible to find better.

Corners: Small, and mainly light tip rubs but very fine to excellent shape is retained.

Cover Summary: A very strong all-round example of this very fragile early 70’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. This beautiful item should please many, if not most collectors. With so few seen, finding one much better will prove a considerable challenge.

The Inner Sleeves: NEAR EXCELLENT: hardly any real wear and only marked down for light to moderate discolouration with mildish toning to the seam adhesive. These are mirror-image polylined pair with minimal creasing and four immaculate window circles. The linings very clear indeed with an incredible lack of crinkle. All edges are unsplit with no repairs, at over 40 years of age, a little darkening is to be expected and my grading is probably over-harsh.

The Poster: The most important part of any album for is sound quality – but this supreme piece of art comes a close second. This guaranteed ORIGINAL and is unmounted e.g. no pin holes or tape marks and looking fantastic. The two manufactured folds as strong as when made. The back is plain white, the centre panel has some mild toning but that is the only minor blemish on an outstanding example. No creasing worthy of note and all edges crisp and sharp, as are the corners. No tears, splits, even nicks, the sheer beauty of the artwork is gorgeous. I regard this as one of the rarest posters ever issued within a long-paying record, and especially so my a major, well-known artist. Virtually all copies of this album, when seen, are missing this poster and they will rarely be found in better condition that this.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++) to MINT(-): with just an ultra fine hairline or two seen critically under bright angled light. A super, bordering on supreme visual pair that are very clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A pair hardly even played on all the evidence with a genuine freshness and clearly modestly handled. Any surface traces ultra fine, very few and faint. Clearly apparent to me this pair have been pressed on virgin vinyl – and never take that for granted – practically all I have seen have visual imperfections seen with care in the form of dulling and inground ‘speckle’ within the vinyl. This pair have avoided that, hence they offer much cleaner and vastly superior sound throughout. Never think a purple label copy is a second issue – all aspects are identical bar the label colour, and in this case, far better pressed than just about any orange example I have yet seen. The inners were polylined, hence finding copies with bag rash is often factor. Any traces on this pair are minuscule with the faintest of faint hints only on the second disc – this being ultra critical again – I can hardly imagine finding these records cleaner or better than this. Visually super records that will never prove easy to find better, they should please most-all collectors.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Both records play up to and most all even exceed their visual grading with very little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal – and this on delicate material too. Any faint trace of ultra gentle surface sound here or there on such a record is near impossible to avoid, even from new. Dawn records do not have a high reputation for pressing quality and are somewhat variable. In terms of this fragile album, I found this a true delight and thus far, the quietest pressing yet. I almost expect there to be issues with some noises present, but on this one barely any at all. I noted no pops or noteworthy clicks and I could enjoy this double set with little unwanted. Soft, delicate and gentle music, this is the ultimate test for any vinyl record, but this pair offer very clean sound and will prove beyond difficult to find better. I am totally convinced these purple label copies are way better pressed than the initial oranges which are inconsistent to say the least – they seem more of a lottery. Maximum pleasure was gleaned from this pair, and I am sure even the most discerning collectors will treasure them. If clinical absolute silence is mandatory, well the fairly low-fi CD version I own will offer just that, only good enough (just) to play in the car and not a higher-end home system. Few copies will match or outperform this still very early pressing I feel sure. All evidence strongly suggest both records have barely been played and nothing of any note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading these beautiful Dawn records. In terms of vinyl, this pair are hardly even run-in. The lack of teeth-grinding distortion or pressing noises that I simply cannot tolerate, are totally absent – wish I could always state this on this label – alas, not always the case. This pair will prove near impossible to find better and my highest possible recommendation is mandatory. Do not under-estimate just how difficult this one is to even find, let alone so clean and under-used – AND including that stunning big format poster. Do NOT lose this wonderful copy.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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 programs. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium 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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. 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 as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, 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 and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). 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] = £4.25

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £11.75 (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 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 [£46 maximum]) = £15.75 Add £3 per extra LP. (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’.

PLEASE NOTE: BOTH these records are pressed on red Translucent vinyl. That means light passes through them with an eerie red glow. As can be seen on my extra picture now uploaded. This in most all cases means a superior pressing with top quality vinyl. The early pressed Joy Division were the same as are the early Elton John albums (to name just two). Also in most cases, these pressings are highly sort after and even more collectable and rare, usually with very limited runs of possibly less than 300.