Vinyl: Earth And Fire 1971 UK 1st PRESS NEPENTHA label LP:

This is the first exciting item being sold from a unique Earth & Fire collection please register for Uncle Brians record store newletter.

Uncle Brians Record Store - selling the collection of an earth and fire enthusiast - is pleased to offer for sale the following MONSTER RARE ORIGINAL 1971 UK 1st PRESS NEPENTHA label LP:

EARTH and FIRE

'Earth and Fire'

Nepentha Records

Cat.No.6437 004

Made In UK

Issued 1971

Here Is A Very Rare Opportunity To Purchase This Mega Rare And Important Prog / Psych Album.

It is a real pleasure to be able to offer for auction a great example of the ultra rare and classic first LP from the legendary Dutch prog / psych band EARTH and FIRE released on the original 1971 VERY FIRST AND ONLY PRESSING UK NEPENTHA LABEL with VERY FIRST PRESSING DIE-CUT GATEFOLD SLEEVE.

Now firmly established as one of the icons of the Progressive Rock collectors’ world, this original Nepentha label LP is amongst the most sought after records in the prog / psych genre. This is as good a condition copy as you are likely to find of this near 40 years old album. The Roger Dean designed GATEFOLD, GIMIXED and UN-LAMINATED sleeve is in my opinion one of the best LP sleeves ever made! The sleeve features a stunning early Roger Dean design with a very unusual and intricate die-cut outer front cover with the 'blue lady' hidden inside. The cover is in excellent condition with just three small scuff spots on the front, near the bottom edge and left corner (See Pics). No tears or rips to the die-cut gimmix sleeve as is so often the case with this fragile gatefold cover. The record is also in excellent condition, showing only a very few very light marks and feint wispy hairlines which do not seriously affect the playback of this truly great album. Both sides play excellently throughout.

A Lovely Copy Of This Major Prog/Psych Rarity!!

Tracklisting

Side 1

1. Wild and Exciting
2. Twilight Dreamer
3. Ruby Is The One
4. You Know The Way
5. Vivid Shady Land

Side 2

1. 21st Century Show
2. Seasons
3. Love Quivers
4. What's Your Name

Format: LP Record

Record Label: Nepentha Records

Catalogue No: 6437 004

Matrix No's:

Side One: 6437 004 1Y * 1420

Side Two: 6437 004 2Y * 1420

Year of Release: 1971

Country of Origin: UK

Monster Rare Original Nepentha Records UK 1st Pressing LP With Roger Dean Designed Matt Textured Die-Cut Gatefold Sleeve

EARTH and FIRE

• Jerney Kaagman - Lead Singer and Electronics Expert!
• Hans Ziech - Bass Guitar
• Ton van der Kley - Drums
• Chris Koerts - Lead Guitar
• Gerard Koerts - Piano and Organ

CONDITION

Matt-Textured Die-Cut Gatefold Sleeve: Excellent

The stunning Roger Dean designed die-cut out style gatefold sleeve is in a solid and strong EXCELLENT condition. To go into more detail, the only minor flaws on the outside of the sleeve are one small scuff spots near the lower left corner and bottom edge and the corresponding scuff on the back, clearly visible in my photo's. The spine is totally readable, has a couple of very minor stress creases, with a little bit of rubbing, mainly near the bottom. Otherwise the sleeve has hardly any noticeable wear, just a small amount of age related fading on the lighter coloured parts (I am being very picky but you need to know what you are buying). The die-cut out is fully intact with only one virtually unnoticeable little scuff, there is no unwanted writing on the sleeve, no splits, no rips and no tears, as is so often the case with this fragile cover. On the back of the sleeve there is a very tiny scuff near the bottom edge. The inside of the gatefold sleeve is in excellent shape and has no visible creases or scuffs.. The delicate, unlaminated, matt textured die-cut front means that very few survive in such excellent condition, the die-cut nature of the sleeve making it such a target for accidental damage from other LP covers being pushed in beside it in big collections. Overall an excellent example of this legendary Roger Dean designed gatefold gimmix sleeve.

Poly-lined Inner Sleeve: Excellent but with age discoloration at the edges

Original poly-lined inner sleeve with correct 1971 date code. Has a few light creases.

Labels: Mint-

The labels are virtually mint, clean and unmarked, with only a very few feint spindle traces evident.

Vinyl:

Side 1. EX (a few very light visual wispy marks) / Side 2. EX (a few very light visual wispy marks)

The early 1970's thick heavy vinyl is bright and glossy, retaining it's original full lustre. When viewed under a strong light source, close inspection reveals some faint light marks and wispy hairlines (consistent with removing from inner sleeve) but so slight as to make no significant difference to the playing sound. The LP plays excellently throughout, with strong dynamic sound, and only the odd few touches of surface static, mainly evident on the opening track. The record lays perfectly flat with no dishing. Both sides of this fantastic album still have that deep black shine look. When you hold the album in the very brightest of lights you can see some VERY LIGHT surface hair lines which are mostly caused by removal and replacement in and out of the inner sleeve, there are no serious nasty marks or deep scratches. In normal daylight this album looks visually at least EXCELLENT. I have just played the album on my very sensitive record deck and the sound is full and crisp, there is NO loss of sound quality at all, wonderful sound stage and stereo seperation. There are a VERY FEW dust crackles, and the odd small 'tick' that can be heard in the quiet parts of the music or between tracks, but a professional clean should sort out most of that. These HEAVY VINYL original 1970's UK pressings are second to none. This is a lovely original NEPENTHA pressing that any collector would be delighted to add to their collection, a real KEEPER.

Notes

On offer here, from my deceased Uncles collection - he was a hugely passionate Earth & Fire fan and we have almost every cd or vinyl released by this amazing band. This is the impossibly rare UK 1st pressing of this Dutch progressive rock band's first LP issued on the seriously collectable Nepentha label (6437 004). This 1971 release is a musical masterpiece, stunning prog rock with psychedelic touches, and not one one duff track!! The artist Roger Dean's intriguing die-cut gimmix cover is unique to this original UK Nepentha pressing. Killer Dutch prog psych LP with aggressive female lead vocals, fabulous songs and great playing, this is as good as it gets in the early 70's prog / psych genre! Without doubt one of the rarest UK major-label progressive LPs, and I haven't seen a much better copy in my life!

Collectors of this band, label and prog rock genre will need no introduction to either the band or their music and I will not ramble on eulogizing about the quality of the music or the genuine rarity of this piece of Prog-rock vinyl history. The really important thing is the condition of the item. This is an excellent copy, the vinyl retains it's full gloss and lustre, plays excellently throughout. The labels are near perfect, clean and unmarked, with only a few very feint spindle traces evident. The beautiful gatefold sleeve is excellent too. This is truly one of the rarest Prog / Psych LP's you will ever see. It is very rare for a copy to be offered for sale, and even more so to find one in such lovely condition as this copy is in!!

The Earth and Fire Nepentha album has achieved something of an almost mythical status among prog-rock fans and record collectors the world over; not without good cause as far as the music is concerned. In addition, the status of the superb gatefold sleeve, this being one of Roger Dean’s first covers, is legendary. What matters to the serious collector however, is firstly, to acquire an original issue, particularly with something as sought after as this, and secondly to find one in the best condition possible, this seminal LP being the cornerstone of the highly collectable Nepentha label. I doubt that another copy of this highly desirable and very, very scarce album will surface for auction in a very long time. You can bid with complete confidence!

Additional Notes

One of the leading Dutch progressive rock bands, Earth and Fire had their artistic pinnacle during the early Seventies when they delivered some outstanding 24 carat symphonic prog rock albums. EARTH & FIRE was founded by the twin brothers Chris (guitar) and Gerard (keyboards) Koerts in '68. Soon bass player Hans Ziech, drummer Kees Kalis and singer Lisette joined them. Unfortunately Lisette had to give up singing because of a serious eye-disease and Kees Kalis left. They were replaced by Ton v/d Kley and the beautiful Jerney Kaagman. She was a discovery by GOLDEN EARRING singer Barry Hay, they knew each other from the blossoming rock scene in The Hague. The band had a powerful sound and their strong compositions were always based on inspired and highly memorable melodies. This, their self-titled debut-album, is classic 70's progressive rock in a slightly less symphonic and rougher vein than later albums. Some of the tracks ("Wild and Exciting" and "Love Quivers") even borders on heavy progressive. There was no Mellotron in their sound yet, but Gerard Koerts' excellent use of flute, hammond organ and vibes took care of the band's progressive sound in this stage of their career.

"Earth and Fire" is a really tremendous album, indeed a genuine progressive rock classic, and is simply an essential record for any collector into the late sixties early 70's prog / psych rock sound!!

On offer here, from a dedicated Earth & Fire fan's collection, is an excellent copy of the legendary and SUPER RARE ORIGINAL NEPENTHA LABEL 1971 UK 1st PRESSING of the self-titled EARTH and FIRE prog / psych debut LP, housed in it's stunning Roger Dean designed matt-textured die-cut gatefold sleeve made by 'Howards Printers' (Slough) Ltd. This seriously collectable Nepentha label album is legendary for it's fantastic and unique Roger Dean die-cut sleeve design alone!

This is without doubt one of the world's rarest and most sought after Prog / Psych LP's and hardly ever shows up for sale these days! This is quite possibly a unique opportunity to add this monster rare album to your collection, so don't let it go, it will be a long time before another one shows up (if at all) the winner will not be disappointed.

Don't miss out on this mega rare original 1971 UK first pressing Nepentha label prog / psych masterpiece!!

The pictures provided are REAL images of the ACTUAL item you are bidding on. What you see is what you will receive!

This is not a later pressing, cheap re-issue or counterfeit!!

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER RARE ORIGINAL LP'S CURRENTLY LISTED ON EBAY

PLEASE NOTE DUE TO HOLIDAY THIS ITEM WILL NOT BE DISPATCHED UNTIL 28th.

Shipping Cost: - Due to paypal rules insurance is compulsory on this very rare and valuable record, so please do not pay until invoiced.

UK: £3.00 (First Class) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £1)

Europe: £4.50 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £2)

Rest Of World: £8.00 (Air Mail) (Shipping cost for each additional lp will be £3)

Please see below for additional information regarding multiple purchase shipping rates and insurance options

Records Are Graded In The Following Way:

MINT (M): The record displays barely any signs of use, if any, with no marks or deterioration in sound quality. Extra items and cover are near perfect.

EXCELLENT (EX): Shows only minor signs of being played with very little lessening in sound quality. The Cover and extras will have some light wear and or creasing

VERY GOOD (VG): Has been played many times but has no major deterioration in sound quality, despite some noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratches. Cover and extras will have normal wear and tear but no major defects

GOOD (G): Has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and any extras may suffer from folding, scuffing, split spine, discoloration etc.

FAIR (F): The record is still just playable and has considerable surface noise and may even jump. Cover and contents will be torn stained and/or defaced.

POOR (P): The record will not play properly. Covers badly damaged or partly missing

+ or - : Indicates slightly better (+) or slightly lesser (-) condition than main grade

All records are from my Uncle's collection and have been carefully play graded before listing. In many cases he has owned them from new and all have been looked after very well. Please check out my other similar LPs currently listed on eBay.

Auction Conditions - Important : Please read before bidding

UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• Cheques
• Postal Orders
• PAYPAL

Non-UK Bidders

Acceptable methods of payment :

• PAYPAL

All payment to be made within 7 days of end of auction.

At the end of the auction I will send you an invoice confirming your winning bid(s) with the total amount payable. Do not send any payment until you have received this invoice.

Paypal To:

Postage & Packaging Notes:

For items to be shipped within the UK

All items are automatically insured for up to £39.

If the value of your win(s) is more than £39 then insurance is highly recommended. The cost of insurance within the UK for items over £39 in value will be £4. If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your item(s) and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

For items to be shipped outside of the UK

The standard air mail postage prices do not include any insurance. For an additional £4 (for packages up to £39 value) or £6 (for packages over £39 value), Royal Mail 'International Signed For' delivery is available. This provides tracking and compensation should your item be damaged or lost.

If you do not select the insurance option offered in your invoice, then I am not responsible for any loss or damage to your items and cannot refund you should loss or damage occur. By not selecting the insurance option you are stating that you agree to this.

Packing Procedures: All LPs are securely and well packed in top quality material to avoid any unnecessary damage during transit. When posted the records are removed from the cover, if possible, and placed in a PVC outer protective sleeve to prevent sleeve splits in the post. I use brand new mailers, either the envelope style with thick stiffeners to prevent any sleeve bends in transit, or the "cruciform" style that wrap around the LP. I aim to dispatch all items within 48 hours of receiving payment. It is recommended that you choose the insurance option for higher value items. As stated above I cannot be held responsible for any item(s) lost or damaged in the post that are not shipped via insured / registered mail. I always obtain a certificate proof of posting receipt for every item sent, which will complete our transaction. Thank you for taking the time to look at my listings, I hope you will be lucky if deciding to make a bid.

SHIPPING COSTS: LP's Item Type United Kingdom P&P Amount Europe Airmail P&P Amount Rest Of World Airmail P&P Amt 1st LP £3.00 £4.50 £8 Each thereafter £1 £2.00 £3.00

Thanks for looking and good luck with your bids