NICK DRAKE - Five Leaves Left - 1969 Island VINYL LP

	£		948
	$		1,131

A great opportunity to buy an ORIGINAL copy of a VINYL LP by Nick Drake called "Five Leaves Left".

This is possibly one of the rarest Island label records ever made, as originally it sold in very small numbers. To find a FIRST PRESSING copy in this almost PRISTINE condition is an absolute must for any avid collectors of late 60's English Folk music. Nick Drake has become somewhat of a "cult figure" since his early death in 1974 and this first pressing is highly sought-after.

Made in England and released in 1969 on the Island label (ILPS 9105 stereo)(smooth finished pink label with black circle logo and gatefold sleeve). It has a total of 10 tracks:-

Side One:- Time Has Told Me; River Man; Three Hours; Way To Blue; Day Is Done.

Side Two:- Cello Song; The Thoughts Of Mary Jane; Man In A Shed; Fruit Tree; Saturday Sun.

The record is in a lovely clean and shiny NEAR-MINT condition, with only faint spindle marks evident with angled viewing to indicate it has ever been played. I have played it just the once all the way through and it plays and sounds SUPERB. I always grade and examine records under a bright table lamp and there are just the odd marks on the vinyl, which may well have been transit scuffs caused by the inner sleeve. Certainly they have no effect whatsoever on the superb sound quality. Apart from these minor blemishes, the record is in almost mint condition.

The labels are completely clean and free from any writing, marks or defects.

The matrix numbers are:- ILPS 9105 A 2 1 1 and  ILPS 9105 B 2 1 1.

The record came to me within a polythene inner sleeve, though originally it probably had a poly-lined inner sleeve or a plain paper version.

The gatefold picture cover is in an EXCELLENT condition and has obviously been well protected by an outer PVC sleeve. The record will be sold within a newer PVC sleeve. It is an unlaminated cover printed and made by Ernest J. Day Ltd. The colours are still very strong and appear to be unfaded. The outside cover itself has just a very small amount of wear at the corners at the top and bottom of the spine. The spine itself is very solid with just very light edge hairline type creases in parts. The text is clearly visible (see photo). These blemishes are only slight and should not detract from the overall quality of this terrific item.

The back of the cover is nice and clean and has no sign of grubbiness at all. It lists the tracks "Day Is Done" and "Way To Blue" in the wrong order, which is a printing error. The back cover has the Island logo and Basing Street address along the bottom edge.

The inner gatefold cover also has an error, listing the track "Three Hours" as "Sundown". The left and right sides are in excellent condition, the only blemish being there is slight ringwear at the top of each side, but nowhere else. The edges of the cover are clean and straight and the opening edge has minimal traces of feathering or wear.

Overall an exceptional example of this highly collectable 41 year old record and cover. There is no reserve on this item so please feel free to bid, but winning bidders - please pay promptly. If payment is a problem, then please do not bid. Payment by PayPal is much preferred.

The pictures shown are of the actual item.

Please see my other items on this auction, including some more examples of the pink Island label.

All vinyl is sent DOUBLE-BOXED in professional boxes with the record removed from the cover. The inner box is then placed within an outer box for added protection and safe transit. This item will be sent by Royal Mail's Special Delivery service for greater security. If sent overseas, then it will go by Airmail as an International Signed-For item.

Records graded according to Record Collector Magazine standards and definitions.

Good luck with your bidding and thank you for viewing.