Free Heartbreaker RARE Orig. UK Ist Pressing Island WHITE LABEL LP PROG EX Cond

	£		100
	$		133

ULTRA RARE U.K. Island 1st Pressing White Label of Free’s ‘Heartbreaker’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: Island Records ILPS 9217).  The matrixes on this read as follows:

Side One: ILPS 9217 A-2U STERLING

Side Two: ILPS 9217 B-2U STERLING LH 2

I believe this qualifies it as a first pressing and it should be noted that it is housed in the standard (i.e. publicly available) relatively thick, ‘snipped’ Robor Limited card sleeve.  This is a very solid example of this exceptionally rare item.  Although there is limited encrusted dirt on the playing surface (I’d recommend a light clean) it is obvious that this copy hasn’t seen heavy play.  Under an intense light limited ‘wispy’ hairline scratches are present as a result of the withdrawal of the vinyl from the paper sleeve.  There are no marks of substance (i.e. which can be felt or which can be seen in normal daylight).  I note one very light spindle ‘drag’ (measuring approx. 1 inch) which appears like a shadow on the playing surface and can only be seen in the vinyl is angled under an intense light (it isn’t very obvious and I missed it in my initial review of the condition).  The vinyl is a confident EXCELLENT grade and this is probably being a little conservative.  At this point I should describe the labels.  The only text on the labels (which are visible in the attached images) are the words ‘Side 1’ and ‘Side 2’ written in blue biro.  They are otherwise blank.  The images demonstrate that the labels are still white however, I do note encrusted dirt when the labels are angled in an intense light (which corresponds to the encrusted dirt noted on sections of the playing surface above).  As noted above the sleeve is of the early 70s Island variety so it still carries a relative ‘weight’ to it.  The spine has been ‘snipped’ which I believe has contributed to some of the limited creasing visible along the spine.  The only major flaw I can see with the sleeve is that something has been spilt down the spine which has resulted in limited discolouration to sections of the spine or areas near the spine but thankfully not to the sleeve at large.  Please see the attached images where I have documented this.  It should be noted that the front of the sleeve is largely white and although a little grubby it is still largely white.  The damage noted above is very isolated.  I note two grubby fingerprints on the rear and two light creases near the opening edge of the sleeve (which aren’t replicated on the rear of the sleeve) which are characteristic of the sleeve being gripped in the fingers while the vinyl is removed.  At the top of the sleeve there is the ‘suggestion’ of ring-wear (on both sides).  I would say each of the corners has received the lightest of knocks or at the very least displays a little wear.  Lastly I note some limited impressions in the soft cardboard just below ‘Heartbreaker’ on the front of the sleeve.  This is a solid example and is a confident EXCELLENT grade.

Condition

VINYL – EXCELLENT

SLEEVE – EXCELLENT

Final Remarks

These Island white labels are incredibly hard to come by and being reference copies they don’t always turn-up in the kind of solid condition that we have here.  Bloody rare!  Please check my other auctions for a large run of Pop, R&B, Rock and Soul collectables and rarities.  Save me as a favourite seller as there is plenty more where this came from!

General Conditions & Information

I have been a collector for in excess of 15 years now and regard myself as a conservative grader.  I know from experience that there is nothing worse than buying an item which is described with superlatives only for it to arrive and look like it has been scrapped along the floor (!).  As a rule I don’t submit anything to auction which I wouldn’t be happy receiving myself.  I endeavour to be accurate with my grading and all items are graded under an intense light.  Please take a look through my feedback as I’d like to think it speaks for itself. 

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Overseas Buyers

As noted above Overseas buyers are welcome.  If you want me to investigate potential postage costs in advance of the auction’s end then please feel free to contact me.