Nick Drake Five Leaves Left Original UK LP

$ 555

$ 555 Sold For

Feb 11, 2005 Sold Date

Feb 1, 2005 Start Date

31 Number Of Bids

USA Country Of Seller

eBay Auctioned at

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Description

Title: Five Leaves Left FIRST BRITISH PRESSING!

Artist: Nick Drake

Label: Island ILPS 9105

Condition/Description: First UK pressing of Nick’s first album in fine condition! Cover has the gatefold which we didn’t get in the States. The cover has some minor wear, mainly on the seams. There are close-up shots below, which I have brightened up in order to clearly show the extent of wear. Front cover has light ringwear above Nick’s name, and an even lesser amount below the cover photo. Back cover has one small trouble spot, which looks as though someone tried to remove a sticker. Some of the cover went with it, but it’s just under one inch. See photo below. Back cover shows minor dirt wear. Both front and back have minor record outdent. Comes with original inner sleeve, which is a generic British sleeve.

Both labels are beautiful. Each side has a very few light spindle marks. Although the pink eye preceded this label, this is the first pressing of this album. Thank you, Jeff, for researching that for me.

Disc is blazing beautiful. Under normal light, it looks near mint. But under the closest examination under a bright lamp, there are a few extremely light scratches on side two at six o’clock, using the label as a guide. They seem to run the length of the first four tracks, BUT…these marks really are so light that even under a bright lamp, you have to hit the light just right to find them. There have been times when it’s taken me several seconds to locate them simply because I know they are there. There is also a slight manufacturer’s defect in the vinyl through the first track on side two which runs in a 3” near horizontal semicircle, if you can picture that. It looks removable, but I don’t dare.

I bought this album in 1989, and played it once in order to transfer it to reel-to-reel tape as my play copy. The tape reveals that there is a SMALL amount of surface noise, most noticeable at the beginnings of each side, and between tracks. Occasionally, in quieter passages of the album, you can hear some. But for the most part, the sound quality is very smooth. I put the record on the turntable, and played the first three tracks on side one. It still sounds mostly quiet, but as reel-to-reel has a tendency to accentuate any sound at all, the vinyl sounded terrific in comparison. Occasional quiet crackling, absolutely no pops.

Disc has been stored outside the cover since 1989 to prevent further outdent and dirt wear, and that’s how it will be shipped to you.

This is the one to own. I’m sure others exist, but this is the only copy I’ve ever seen or heard of stateside. Ever. And it’s gorgeous. A really difficult piece to let go of, but some very lucky winner can pry it from my hands!

Thirty-year record collector fallen on hard times. I will be selling off some nice, rare pieces over the next several months. Prompt payment will receive positive feedback. Please, no checks. Money orders, bank checks and PayPal are my preferred methods of payment. I cannot be responsible for cash lost in the mail. International buyers, please convert to US funds. Thank you!

Postage: $3.50 covers shipping on domestic purchases. Will combine winning items up to $3.50, and advise by email if postage is more. Buyer pays for insurance, which is strongly advised.

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