van der GRAAF GENERATOR Least We Can Do… with poster

	£		156
	$		207

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story - I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested reader – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get. The only thing I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. Variation can sometimes occur too in colour of the label scans and labels taken next to the sleeve with a digital camera, the scanned full label pictures should be the most accurate. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic , and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR

Album Title: The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other (includes ultra rare poster).

Track Listing: Darkness; Refugees; White Hammer; Whatever Would Robert Have Said; Out of My Book; After the Flood.

Label/Format: (The Famous) Charisma (Label) – Early pink scroll format which textured finish.

Label Condition: Fantastic deeply coloured examples that are ultra clean and showing only very few and very faint spindle traces and no wear around around hole area. This prog classic has clearly hardly been played. (Please see label scans for all information needed).

Cat Number: CAS.1007.

Mono or Stereo: Stereo.

Country of Manufacture: England, UK

Rarity: The matrix numbers confirm this is a second pressing but in this astonishing condition and including one of prog rocks rarest posters this is pretty rare these days.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: CAS+1007-A+G and CAS+1007-B+G

Brief Artist & Album Info: Their first album issued in the UK, their first album proper was Aerosol Grey Machine that was issued in the US and Germany and not until later in the UK. For many, VDGG were the definitive UK prog band, for sure they were up there with the very best. Fronted by the eccentric and intense vocalist Peter Hammill, VDGG made some of the most complex and inspired sounds of the early 70s. David Jackson the saxophonist often played two simultaneously creating a mesmerising sound. Musically complex using constantly changing time structures and like fellow progsters, King Crimson their albums have great highs and lows in volume. This album remains my second favourite they ever made after the legendary Pawn Hearts that still ranks possibly the only serious contender to King Crimson’s debut as the best album of its ilk. Although a second pressing it was still issued in 1970, the sound is remixed and it reputedly exists in three different mixes but I have never seen or heard the third. Marginally less scarce than the very first mix this is still never easy to find in fine condition and this includes one of rocks genuinely rare double sided posters – its in superb condition too and unmounted or damaged (worthy of another look this one). The clean record looks and plays very well, VDGG albums are always challenging to find that will play to the top levels for reasons explained earlier. The cover too is almost impossible to find totally wear-free but again this has only light rub traces – shame this was never laminated. This is clearly one for the prog collector and with the poster too, the connoisseur. A marvellous original band that were underappreciated at the time but adored by the few (myself included) – Hammill remains one of rock’s great exponents of originality and mildly extreme.

Cover Grade and Format: EX, gatefold format and not laminated. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd with the rare very early Patents pending text. This early copy comes with the very scarce poster.

Cover Front: Remaining attractive with only mild rubbing, I have to say this is one of the best ones I have seen for ages, this always gets rubbed or ringworn but there is little to none of that unsightly wear, certainly none on the front at all. Uncreased and clean, the odd light mark but colour remains quite strong and is devoid of indentations etc.

Cover Back: Very similar again to the front but less rubbing overall but a faint trace of a ringmark mostly the very top arc near the top, any other is only traces.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Great inner with hardly any wear or discolour at all. The patents pending on the imprint proves this is real early.

Top Edge: Virtually unworn.

Bottom Edge: Some light rubbing, moderate for the last inch or so on the back right edge corner.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with very little wear and no feathering. Record entered on right outside back edge.

Spine and Text: Solid and square with little wear, no text was printed on this spine.

Corners: All four show a little wear like most examples of this cover usually do.

Cover Summary: A fine strong all round example of this very fragile early 70’s cover, one that could prove hard to find significantly better. This strong item should still please most collectors.

The Poster Insert: Mint(-). Superb and the first I have ever seen. This explains the songs and includes lyrics and a unique foreward by Hammill. The condition is outstanding and will be hard to find better ever. All the fold lines are untorn and still strong without too much wear to the ink on the creases. This is unmounted and no pin holes, bright vivid artwork and very clean. No tears, extra creases or folds, its rare and its here and makes this super album complete.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX+ A lovely clean visual copy that’s shiny, jet black and very solidly pressed. Some light surface marks or odd faint hairline but nothing affects play, simply storage marks from the inner and occasional removal causes these light superficial surface traces. A copy with minimal plays on all the evidence. Visually a super record that should please most collectors again.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This super record easily plays up to its high visual grading and more often than not exceeds with little to fault. Strong, undistorted sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a massive dynamic range and very full sound. Any surface sounds are minimal but as stated this has massive highs and lows and the odd light surface sound is almost unrealistically unavoidable very occasionally. I feel few copies will play much better than this, Charisma pressing quality did vary sometimes and this is generally a good clean copy. Both channels are clean and sharp, even Jackson’s shrill electric reeds play without any hint of breakup and Hammills vocals have ‘in the room’ qualilty. I feel quite sure this record has been played very lightly and has been generally well stored and looked after, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Little, if anything spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this gem. This copy could prove near impossible to find significantly better.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: Every listen to a VDGG album reveals something new, complex musically and cryptic lyrically this is not pop music and their albums did not sell initially in anything like large amounts. If you are prepared for a moderately challenging listen this album can enthrall and compell and what it will do for sure is entertain. A fine all round complete copy this should please most collectors and I strongly recommend it – Mike.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions of their intended payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions. NOTE: I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNREGISTERED USERS, I will cancel them immediately, and sorry, I cannot give valuations on people’s personal items just for their own curiosity, no item can be accurately valued blindly.

Having the Powerseller Logo: This is recognition from Ebay for the highest possible customer services, satisfaction and quality, it should reassure any potential bidder that all items are described, graded and shipped to the highest standards possible. Customer care of the highest order is a standard feature here and I am proud to have achieved this recognised standard of excellence from Ebay with help from collectors and buyers from all over the World - I thank you all.

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £3.00; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £5.50 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £7.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do NOT profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more and I often actually lose money on this part of service - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be worthwhile.

I can accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders OWN risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.

I have never seen or heard the very first pressing and it must be pretty rare as this second pressing was issued in the same year. I can only assume the band were not happy with the first mix or why bother to remix and press again? Whatever, this is a fantastic record and I would guess most people's definitive version. – Mike