Kinks 1969 UK PYE MONO Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire

$

258

Hello and Welcome!  

Despite being eBay Vintage Vinyl Sellers since 1999, we have recently elected to auction off the majority of our personal album collection under this new screen-name. We pride ourselves as collectors, sellers and most importantly, true purists when it comes to this hobby which has turned into a huge on-line business for many folks.   Unlike many eBay sellers of LPs these days, we still feel compelled to write up complete as well as accurate descriptions of our vinyl in order that no surprises will occur, other than happy ones.  This is why we take painstaking efforts to describe every detail of our play-graded LPs, which never seem to disappoint our buyers.   

We are offering an Extraordinary Rare 1969 First UK MONO PRESSING of The Kinks:  Arthur Or The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire on PYE Records NPL 18317.  In our estimation, this is the hardest to find UK album by The Kinks, and some Kink Kultists believe that the Mono pressings of "Arthur" are nearing extinction, based on a very limited pressing at a time when Stereo had emerged as the predominant recording format world-wide.  We have only seen this specific British Original UK Mono Pye Kinks album appear on eBay 2 times in the past 4 or 5 years.   

 MATRICES/STAMPERS/RUN-OFF WAX DATA: 

Side 1: NPL 18317 A-1  *T  Stampers: B/KT/1    Side 2: NPL 18317 B-2  *T  Stampers: A/KT/1   STEREO**

**The word "STEREO" appears on only one run-off side of ANY "True" Mono Copies of this album.  This is a 100% Guaranteed MONO PRESSING  

Our Goldmine Grading of this or any other album entails a Visual Assessment of the Vinyl, Labels, Jacket, Inner Sleeve and Inserts (If Applicable) as well as an Aural Evaluation.  All pre-owned LPs that we put up for auction are first professionally cleaned with our VPI 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine prior to being Play-Graded on a Denon DP 54-F Turntable equipped with a SHURE M97xE Cartridge/Stylus.  Our Pre-Amp is a Denon PMA 750.  Our Polk Audio Speakers allow one the opportunity to hear any sonic distortion, variation in sound quality such as drops in sound levels, detection of the slightest background noise e.g. crackle, clicking, and, of course, jumps.  All of our albums are stored upright and kept in an air conditioned, smoke free environment and are, or have been protected by polyurethane jacket protectors since our acquisition of them.  

VISUAL GRADES

VINYL:  In visually assessing this vinyl, we must be ultra-conservative.  This LP is NOT for the Kinks collector who is looking for a pristine, flawless "Arthur".  While the surface does, in fact, present with full gloss and shine, the vinyl has some minor "scruffs" on both sides.  We acquired this album in NM condition from a personal friend in the UK who stored it upright, kept all of the various components of this epic Kinks title separated e.g. the Queen Victoria Insert, the UK Inner Poly Bag and the LP.  In fact, the LP had not seen even one play since its purchase in 1969.  During a VPI RCM cleaning, one of us accidentally dropped the LP which subsequently caused the few marks which are now present.  We never considered these "scruffs" and "lines" as a major distraction at all, since the lack of it being played also saved this vinyl from the typical "hairlines" which are generally present on MONO LPs, which are this old.  While we always submit 12 photos of the entire album, we know that pictures can not possibly speak to an LP's visual evaluation thus, we feel compelled to detail all visual flaws that a "Mint-Seeking" Record Collector would take notice of.  Perhaps a few marks on an LP's surface, would pass most folks' test.  Yet, they must be mentioned, particularly when NM copies of MONO "Arthur" albums have sold for over $1000.00.   In this case, a prospective bidder will see an extremely clean vinyl, sans what we have stated.  Even after our examination under BOTH regular daylight and intense halogen lighting, we still consider this vinyl to be well above "average" for a vintage, incredibly rare UK Kinks LP.  There is no groove wear, no "hairlines", and this record glistens as it did in 1969.  Goldmine Grade: VG/VG+.  

LABELS:  The Blue/Black Pye Labels are still vibrant in color and the song listings, credits, and all other print is sharp.  There are signs of faint, "spider-like" lines on both sides which surround the spindle hole, which would be expected after a myriad of VPI cleanings and our playing the album 7-8 times.  Both labels are free of writing, there are no names, nor paper tears.   We have submitted several photos of these gorgeous labels which we believe merit the Grade of VG+/VG++

JACKET:  Original First Pressings of The Kinks "Arthur" were housed in a 'uni-pack', gate-fold jacket, which were designed by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.  This particular jacket has the 'G&L' Patent No. 943,895.  Most of these laminated jackets, due to the extremely delicate, almost flimsy way in which they were initially manufactured, have sustained serious damage.  Our copy presents with its Front-side Laminate in excellent condition with the faintest indication that an LP was even stored in it.  A critical eye will spot 4 faint semi-circles which appear on the very left side of the front.  We do not see this as "laminate lifting", but as a sign of prolonged storage.  Our album has truly withstood the test of 42+ years extremely well.  Upon opening the gate-fold (see photo), there are two minuscule "notches" by the "Kangaroo's" waist --right where the Queen Victoria Lyric Insert is stored.  These "notches" only show up as very minor "dings" on the bottom and top rims of the jacket.  The reverse side, which is also laminated, is in stellar condition.  There is no writing, no paper rips, and this is one of the best UK Original Kinks Jackets we have owned.  Goldmine Grade of VG++.  

INSERT:  This copy is complete, and that means the famous (or infamous) Queen Victoria Lyric Insert.  Simply put, it is in magnificent NM- Condition.        

INNER SLEEVE:  The Original UK Patented Inner Poly-Lined "Bag" is in superb condition.  There are no signs of discoloration, no rips, no tears, and is in "Like New" condition.  We believe that our photo will confirm our NM- Goldmine Grade.  

PLAY-GRADE 

We have taken extensive notes on this LP's aural delivery.  We are selling this epic Kinks album "as is" and as such, we have listened to every track on this vinyl more than once.  On February 27th, 2012, we cleaned the LP with our VPI 16.5 RCM and made extremely detailed notes, as it played on our Denon Sound System.  As we stated previously, this LP is NOT for the collector who is looking for an LP which presents as "Mint", either visually or in terms of its sound.  Hence, we will outline EACH and EVERY SONG on this rare specimen which exhibited a less than flawless audio presentation:

Side 1:  

A2:  "Yes Sir, No Sir":  2 audible "snaps" occur at the start of this track.  Approximately 7 more "snaps" were heard during the chorus.

A3:  "Some Mother's Son":  4 faint, low level "thubs" were first noticed during the typically silent break between songs--in this case, during the break between "Yes Sir No Sir" and prior to the beginning of this song. 

A4:  "Brainwashed":  3 clicks during the break between track 3 and track 4.  2-3 clicks during the intro of "Brainwashed" and 3 more clicks prior to the song's ending. 

Side 2:

B1:  "Shangri-la:  Extremely faint, mild "crackling" prior to the song's beginning.  3 clicks which started right before Ray Davies sings "All The Houses in the street…"  **There is a "stick" which occurs right when the verse "Neighbors call" starts. **  Please note that we were able to replay the song without sticking, when we increased our toner arm's tracking force from 2.5 to 3.5.   3 clicks prior to the ending of this track.

B4:  "Young And Innocent Days":  Very minor, low level "crackling" which is heard until Dave Davies joins his brother Ray on vocals--second verse.  We also heard low-level "static" for a few moments, right as the song was ending.

If not for the extreme scarcity of this LP and its importance to The Kinks Vinyl catalogue, we might be a bit reticent about listing this otherwise, loud, punchy, and powerful Pye Mono LP due to the one "flaw" which we, or any other seller, would (or should) be obliged to reveal. We also know that our turntable is extremely unforgiving when it comes to even playing brand new LPs.  The "stick" on "Shangri-la" occurred on our system, and may not occur on another audio system with a different stylus or cartridge.

In sum, whilst not a pristine, mint LP, this vinyl does play extremely well.  All unlisted tracks played at a VG++ aural level and, with the exception of "Shangri-La", even the listed tracks played well above average (VG+/++), even for the most discriminating listener.    

For Kinks Kollectors who understand that the odd and infrequent minor "crackle", a "snap" or two, and the "static" which is inevitable on any 42 year old LP which has survived quite well over time and circumstance, this may end up being quite a bargain. 

We Have Place An Extremely Modest Reserve On This Item.        

*******

Payment

...is due within 48 hours via PayPal and must be made in US $

USA SHIPPING

$4.00-USPS Media Mail with Delivery Confirmation  

$9.50-USPS 2 Day Priority Mail.

**We would prefer to ship our Vintage and Rare Albums via USPS 2 Day Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation since USPS Media Mail is subject to inspection.  However, due to eBay's fixed price Shipping Policy, USPS Media Mail will be the default method of shipping for the USA bidder. Delivery Confirmation is applied to all eBay items which we sell to USA winning bidders.

We Do Ship/Post Worldwide; However, International Bidders Will Need to Accept The Following Terms If They Elect To Bid On This Item:

-All Payments Must Be Made Via PayPal and in USD Currency.

-Shipping/Posting MAY Require SOME International Bidders to Agree to have this Parcel shipped Via USPS International Express Mail which allows Tracking and Insurance.  Estimated Cost is $45.00.   

-Seller Reserves The Right To Cancel Any Bids From Questionable Bidders (Low Feedback Percentage, Blocked Countries).

We Will Offer To Ship/Post USPS Priority Mail International Rates To The Following Countries. Costs (Including Insurance) Are Approximately:

Canada: $27.00

France: $36.00

UK:       $41.00

Japan:  $41.00

We Can Post/Ship USPS First Class International Post (with Mandatory Registration) To Most Of The World For A Lower Rate.  PLEASE E-MAIL US VIA THE EBAY E-MAIL SYSTEM FOR A SHIPPING/POSTING ESTIMATED COST.

Any and all questions about this item, will be answered in a timely manner.  We ask that all questions be submitted via the eBay e-mail mechanism.

Have Fun and Bid on this unique LP!