TONS OF SOBS - FREE - RAREST 'BLACK-BLOCK' ..PINK ISLAND

	£		69
	$		91

Hi..I have decided to sell some more of my record collection which I have accumulated over many years. I am not a trader or record shop and I am just recommencing selling on eBay. I am music fan who has collected vinyl records over many years and much to my 'other-half's' delight and, to my own disdain, over the coming days/weeks I will be offering rare, and much sought after vinyl records including Prog Rock, Blues, Folk, etc from collectible labels such as Pink Island, Blue Horizon, Deram/Decca, Atlantic plum, Vertigo swirl, etc etc..

HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER AND EXTREMELY RARE LP; UK 2nd, PINK ISLAND PRESSING ON PINK LABEL WITH 'BLACK BLOCK'. COLLECTORS OF FREE, BAD COMPANY, PAUL RODGERS, KOSSOFF et al KNOW THIS IS A 'MUST HAVE' AND PROBABLY FREE'S RAREST UK PRESSING AN INDISPENSABLE ADDITION TO THEIR PINK ISLAND CATALOUGE.

Artist: FREE     

Title: Tons Of Sobs

Catalouge number: ILPS 9089

Released: 1969

Country of origin: UK  ..made in England

The LP is in VERY GOOD++ condition and is genuinely a reluctant sale.

VERY GOOD++

Before I offer for sale I play grade to check my vinyl's and I have just played both sides on an upmarket deck.

Firstly yes, this is the rarest pressing of Tons of Sobs that hardly ever comes up for sale. It is the second Pink Island 'Black-Block' pressing.

The vinyl plays really well with no 'jumps' or 'sticking'. However, visually on side 1, the LP has surface marks/hairlines which shows signs of its age but I would also add it does not impair the audio sound - I would grade side 1 as Very Good. Side 2 is visually is better and more as you would hope for and I would grade this a high Very Good+

In saying this the LP plays really well on both sides with the odd 'pop' and 'crackle' mainly noticeable between the tracks, and a little moreso on the quieter songs such as 'Over the Green Hills pts 1 & 2'....I stress, there are absolutely no horrible audible scratches and, therefore the LP will very easily fill that gap until that "perfect??" copy becomes available. ...'Moonshine', the only other song on the LP that has quieter sections plays really well considering its susceptibilty to sound impairment.

This is by far the rarest pressing of the brilliant Tons of Sobs and remember it is 42yrs old!. I have described the vinyl as only 'Very Good+', but believe me I have seen and heard a whole lot more inferior later pressings! Please play the LP the whole way through and you will understand what I am saying..It took me years to aquire this rare 2nd Black Block pressing and I kept it in my own personal collection for years - it so very rarely comes up for sale.

When I read back my description I feel I am underselling this LP and you would be thinking I'm doing myself an injustice with my description, but I am honest and treat others the way I wish to be treated myself; therefore I am describing it to the best of my ability.

*Also, I have not attempted to clean the vinyl in case of damage to the single and because in my opinion it is in such great condition that it doesn't require any object or cleaning agent applied, in fact the only implement this single requires is a stylus*

Labels:

*Whovever wins the LP will understand when they see the labels why I have rated them as excellent ... However, I have been extremely critical in my own evaluation of the labels, as many sellers would fail to mention what to me would be a concern - please read below*

Excellent ...Side 1 - Black Block Pink Island label is clean and bright! (see images)... Faint spindle-marks around  the spindle-hole but these do not rip/tear the labels or downgrade appearance of label in any way. No ink and no unsightly smudges or blemishes whatsoever.

Side 2 - Label has a just a couple of slight marks on the label edge, and I have tried to show them specifically in the side 2 image - these are not rips or tears but more to do with ageing than anything else. Also, I have not attempted to clean them off for fear of damaging this extremely rare label. Finally if you look closely you will notice a very 'small nick' on the song time-length print, on the third digit for the track Sweet Tooth, but again this is hardly an issue and hardly noticeable - It is so minimal that I really could say .."no unsightly smudges or blemishes whatsoever"

Sleeve:

Very good++ ... Matt gatefold sleeve is still sturdy and robust. It does has edgeware on top and bottom, and spine but hardly an issue - this to me simply adds to the authenticity of the LP as everything about it is original. No feathering on opening whatsoever. No writing, no tears, no unsightly blemishes. Printed and made by E. J. Day, Basing Street, London. A great original and authentic example.

The LP will very easily fill that missing link of the very rare Pink Island pressing and, the winning bidder will not be disappointed!

Please take into consideration that I am not a photographer or a professional salesman. What you can be certain of are the descriptions of all the vinyl I shall be offering for sale, and that they are all critically evaluated.
I will do my best with any further images you require and, if you have any questions about the LP, please email me.

Contact is to be made within 2 days of winning bid and payment to be made within one week of winning bid. The LP will be posted as soon as payment is received.

Postage and packing within the UK = £ 3.50
International worldwide postage = £ 5.00
(If the winning bidder requires further postage security on this LP please email for price. See details below)

Thanks and Good Luck!

I am a private seller gradually disposing of my vinyl collection. Please note that whilst it is rare for items to be lost or damaged in the post, I am unable to accept responsibility for any loss or damage by the postal services. Whilst I am happy to provide assistance, advice, and proof of postage, all such claims remain the responsibility of the buyer.

All items sold for more than £39 will be subject to an extra charge for 'signed for' posting (This is not usually very expensive) if the purchaser requires package to be covered for compensation to cover the unlikely loss/damage in the post an extra charge will be necessary. If compensation cover is required buyers should contact me so that the full cost can be invoiced for insurance purposes.