Immediate IMCP009 Billy Nicholls Would You Believe RARE

	£		7,312
	€		8,036

Due for release on Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate label in 1968, an initial promotional run of 100 copies were produced and distributed to a small, select group of influential DJ’s and radio stations.  Financial difficulties with the label ensured the record never attained a full release.

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As the years have gone by; the record has achieved legendary status with the story of the album told and re-told for each subsequent reissue. Billy’s own website www.billynicholls.com gives details of the album and the most recent reissues.

So, onto the real thing – this original copy of Billy Nicholls “Would You Believe”.

Provenance

I acquired this copy from the family of the deceased original owner in 2005. The owner was one of the early sixties DJ’s who lead what can only be described as the swinging sixties lifestyle. He wasn’t particularly good – we have reel to reel tapes of some of his performances at the Brighton Ballroom – but clearly he knew the right people and mixed with the right people and maintained a career in music broadcasting, production and club DJ until his enforced retirement due to ill health.

The original owner accumulated a huge collection of vinyl, but had no concept of value or worth. We discovered this album amongst a random box, undisturbed for decades. He concentrated on northern soul so the vast majority of the collection was played once upon receipt to review, and then put away into storage.

This is THE chance to acquire possibly the best and most original copy left – save for Billy’s two copies he has retained himself!

Sleeve Condition

This record has led a sheltered existence. The record has not been handled very much and the fragile, matt, unlaminated sleeve is in remarkable condition. It’s often overlooked just how much damage occurs to a record sleeve due to unnecessary handing, especially to those which are not laminated. This sleeve doesn’t have the tell-tale signs of handing on any level and the opening edge is as straight and true as the day it was printed. There are only very slight signs of poor storage, noticeable on the bottom/top edges of the bottom right and top right corners as you look at the front of the sleeve. There is slight ringwear both front and rear, with a slightly more prominent mark towards to the top edge on the rear of the sleeve. The spine is straight and true with a small mark to the left of “Immediate”. Both lower and upper sleeve edges show no signs of splitting.

According to the latest Record Collector guidance on grading, this sleeve grades as EXCELLENT, defined as “the cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing”.

Inner Sleeve

The record came in a plain, white inner paper sleeve which is present. It is crisp/clean with “Made in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Great Britain” in the lower right corner and “Patents Applied For” in the lower left corner. For security and to prevent any possible wear I have stored the record in a modern poly-lined inner sleeve and the record will come thus contained along with the original inner.

Record Labels

The labels are clean, no marks/writing/mottling etc. Under a strong light you can just about make out a couple light spindle marks on each label. If further proof were needed that you are dealing with an exceptional copy, look no further than the labels.

Playing Surfaces – visual appearance

The record shines like new – and it has every right to! Chances are this record has only been played 4/5 times in 41 years……………….There are no marks, hairlines or any untoward marks on the surface of the record.

The catalogue numbers for each side are present in the run-out, IMCP 009-1C 2 on side one and IMCP 009-2C on side two. There is also, scored through on side two IMSP 009-2Y. The stampers are 1G.

Visually, this record grades, according the Record Collector guidance as MINT, defined as “the record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks………”.

Sonic Grading

I have only played this record once in my ownership on a quality record deck, which I think you’ll be able to make out in the pictures. The record does have to odd pop that is no doubt due to releasing agent still in the microgrooves from 40-odd years ago. I have not attempted to clean this record with any recognised products or use any home remedies that my grandmother has passed down! As it stands, I cannot hand on heart describe the sonic condition of this record as mint as there are imperfections that are consistent with the record needing a clean. A sonic grade of EXCELLENT is conservative and I fully expect that if the new owner plays the record the sound reproduction will improve and mirror the visual appearance of the record.

Postage and Packing

The record will be packed in a “pizza style” box with copious card and bubble wrap. The sleeve will be packed individually so as to prevent any damage in transit. It will also be enclosed in a polythene sleeve so that if the package comes into contact with water it will not get wet. The record will likewise be so protected.

Due to the value of this record, postage anywhere outside of the UK will be expensive due to the insurance required. If full customs are required for a particular destination I will have to disclose the value of the record, which means the recipient will most likely have to pay customs duty. If you do not understand this requirement or accept the likely charge, PLEASE DO NOT BID. Payment by Paypal is preferred from verified users and will only be sent to a confirmed delivery address. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS.

Cash on collection or cheque/bankers draft for UK customers is also very welcome.

UK postage costs will be around £12 for the appropriate level of insurance.

Finally, whomever is lucky enough to win this auction, I have no doubt that your considerable investment will grow in value over the coming years and you can rest assured that the quality and condition of this copy is unlikely to be surpassed by any of the remaining copies.

Good luck and Happy Bidding!