Nick Drake Five Leaves Left ORIGINAL 1969 PINK LABEL

	£		560
	$		742

Nick Drake - Five Leaves Left LP

Original RARE first edition Pink Label pressing.
Matrix numbers:
Side One ILPS 9105 A//2
Side Two ILPS 9105 B//2

This LP from 1969 is one of the very few first presses of this incredible album. Only small amounts were ever pressed on the pink label as Island soon switched to the more common pink rim palm tree label in 1970.

This particular copy is in EXCELLENT + condition. The vinyl still has an amazing shine to it still and has only a couple of the faintest, smallest marks on it (and that's when held under a strong light). I've played the album from start to finish on a Project turntable and I'm pleased to say that it plays through with no frustrating jumping whatsoever. The labels on both sides are in great condition but have a mild age discolouration to them - but then again, don't we all. There is a slight crackle at the start of either side and during some the quieter moments but nothing that detracts from the listening pleasure. I think a professional clean would get rid of this.

The gatefold sleeve I would describe as in EXCELLENT - condition. The front cover has minimal wear. The spine is great and the title is mainly still legible (see pic). The four corners show wear but are not bent or creased in any way - still very strong. Inside the sleeve there is very, very minimal shelf wear. It's also worth noting that 'Three Hours' is wrongly named as 'Sundown' on the lyric page (which also features 'Saturday Sun' and 'River Man'). The picture of Nick on the opposite page is just great (see pic). The back cover is pretty good too. The only thing letting it down is a slight discolouration along the left side and bottom edge. My guess is that it got put down somewhere damp at some point. The good news is that it's only a colour issue as it has dried completely straight, no crumpling, no tears, etc. The other thing to note is a small arrow drawn in pen beside the tracklisting MISPRINT for 'Day Is Done' and 'Way To Blue' (which on the LP itself play in the opposite order - I'm pretty sure this was rectified on the 2nd pressings). Other than that, the sleeve is in great condition. The card is really rigid and the edges quit crisp. Needless to say it is the correct sleeve for the LP featuring as it does the 'Eye' logo at the top and the Basing Street address at the bottom.

For more high quality pictures of the record please look here:
http://s135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/christoff_reid/Five%20Leaves%20Left%20LP/

I now have over 300 feedback all positive so please bid with confidence and rest assured that the LP will be shipped in a bomb proof package.

I'm a Nick Drake/record collector myself and consider this record the Holy Grail but like the French in Monty Python's movie "Ah've already gaat one" so this one must go. I can guarantee you'll not be disappointed. For a 41 year old record, this one is in great 'Nick'.

Thanks for looking.

MONDAY 29th MARCH

Thanks to everyone who has bid so far.
This morning I took the LP to London Sound in Harrow and had it professionally cleaned on their Keith Monks cleaning machine. This is a top-spec piece of equipment.  I can't tell you how happy I am with the results. I would now grade the vinyl as NEAR MINT. The crackle I mentioned previously has for all but the very smallest amount disappeared. It now sounds INCREDIBLE. I knew the cleaning would help but it just looks and sounds PRISTINE now! I got a few of my own records done at the same time and now can't wait to listen to them. The cleaning was done by the owner of the store.

Here's a photo of it being cleaned!
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q125/christoff_reid/IMG_3036.jpg

I would highly recommend the use of this machine as the results are outstanding.
The vinyl is so shiny and bright. Obviously the labels do not get cleaned so the slight discolouration remains. But the vinyl sounds simply GREAT now. There are a couple of tiny marks on the run-out grooves but the playing surface is SPOTLESS. I guarantee you will be delighted with this record. The LP has been put into a brand new inner sleeve to ensure it remains dirt free. Needless to say, I have kept the original inner sleeve and this will be included with the purchase.

Here's a short video clip of 'Man In A Shed' (my personal favourite) playing on my turntable. The sound has been recorded direct from the turntable into my laptop with no modification.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHY2FcCoxbA

Good luck everyone!

Hello again!
Due to YouTube's ridiculously strict copyright rules the audio has been blocked on the video above. Here's a link to the same video at a different website.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcr9ap_nick-drake-five-leaves-left-origina_music

I can't believe how good it sounds! I PROMISE you this is not the cd version!! If you listen closely through headphones you can hear the slight vinyl noise.

Thanks again!

Right. Last resort. The internet really dislikes me today.
Both those videos have now been blocked due to 'matched third party content'!
The video is downloadable 10 times from here

Just to reiterate, the audio on this video is taken directly from the vinyl LP on offer in this listing. It is not from a cd. Since cleaning the record - it sounds amazing.

Have a listen for yourself!