The Free Story

Originally scheduled for release October 12th 1973 but delayed until the last week of December 1973 due to vinyl shortages.

Limited to a numbered edition of 50,000 copies. Promotional and advertising material indicated that plates/film used to make the sleeves would be destroyed following completion of the limited run. Nevertheless unnumbered copies continued to be available after the 50,000 run.

The gatefold sleeve was printed with incorrect catalogue number: ISL D3 on the back cover and the spine. Later copies include a small sticker on the back of the gatefold covering the incorrect catalogue number with the correct number: ISLD 4. The incorrect catalogue number on the spine remained unaltered. Inner sleeves however, were printed with the correct catalogue number from release.

This release with correct cat.# ISLD4 is here: The Free Story

Both inner sleeves are the same providing the album's track listing and a Free discography. They indicate that:

Side 3 track 4 (C4) is performed by Kossoff, Kirke, Tetsu and Rabbit

Side 3 track 5 (C5) is performed by Peace (previously unreleased)

Side 4 track 4 (D4) Heartbreaker is recorded live at Portsmouth Guildhall, October 7th,1972 (this is also previously unreleased although not stated on the inner sleeve)

Initially the inner sleeves were square cut across the top. Later copies have a 20cm thumb notch.

Labels are usually smooth and flat, however ridged labels exist which can be randomly used on any side of disc 1 & 2 and not consistently matched with flat/ridged labels on the other side of the disc.

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Stapled inside the gatefold is a 4 page insert that provides a history of Free. It commences on the left-hand inside gatefold, continues across the insert, and concludes on the right-hand inside gatefold.

Bottom centre of back cover states, "THE FREE STORY" IS A LIMITED EDITION. THIS ALBUM IS NUMBER ******

℗ 1973 Island Records Ltd.

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.1 A (A side label, upside down)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.1-B (B side label, upside down)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.2-A (C side label, upside down)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.2-B (D side label, upside down)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.1 (Cat# disk 1)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD 4.2 (Cat# disk 2)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD41 A-L (Variant 1, A side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD41 ̷A̷B-L (Variant 1, B side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD42 A-L (Variant 1, C side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD41 B-L (Variant 1, D side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD4-1A-1U (Variant 3, A side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD4-1B-1U (Variant 3, B side stamped)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD4-2A-4U KIP (Variant 3, C side stamped, etched KIP)
• Matrix / Runout: ISLD4-2B-1U (Variant 3, D side stamped)

Data provided by Discogs — View on Discogs

First release from 1973 . Inside the Gatefold is a long essay about the history of Free written by Billy Walker, Editor Sounds, London. Designed by Musgrove House Limited. Tracks B5 + C1 recorded Live. Island Records LTD: LP 1 = 87 311 XT / LP 2 = 87 312 XT Some copies with cat# sticker on cover back: 87 313 XDT Cat. no. ISL D3 only to be found on spine and on cover back, sometimes stickered with cat# ISLD 4. Limited Numbered Edition

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Matrix / Runout: S 87311 A-4 Made in Germany (Runout A [stamped])
• Matrix / Runout: S 87311 B-4 Made in Germany (Runout B [stamped])
• Matrix / Runout: S 87312 A-2 Made in Germany (Runout C [stamped])
• Matrix / Runout: S 87312 B-2 Made in Germany (Runout D [stamped])
• Rights Society: GEMA (Boxed)
• Other: 87 311 XT (cat# record 1)
• Other: 87 312 XT (cat# record 2)

Data provided by Discogs — View on Discogs

Promo White Label ℗ 1973 Island Records Ltd. Manufactured by Toshiba-EMI Ltd., Japan Black 4pp insert in English glued to inside right cover Blue 6pp insert in Japanese also included

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Rights Society: JASRAC

Data provided by Discogs — View on Discogs

℗ 1973 Island Records Ltd. Manufactured by Toshiba-EMI Ltd., Japan Black 4pp insert in English glued to inside right cover Blue 6pp insert in Japanese also included

Barcode and Other Identifiers

• Rights Society: JASRAC

Data provided by Discogs — View on Discogs

insert

Data provided by Discogs — View on Discogs