This is an original 1968 first pressing of More Loyal Songs of Ulster by Walter Davidson and the Ulstermen, released on the Northern Irish independent label Spin Records (catalogue number LP 1705). Spin Records titles from this era are genuinely scarce — the label had a limited distribution footprint, and original pressings in any playable condition are rarely encountered today.
The album captures thirteen songs rooted in Ulster's loyalist and Orange Order tradition: marching tunes, historical ballads and folk songs ranging from King Billy at the Boyne to The Orangeman's Dream. Recorded in mono with the acoustic directness typical of the period, it is a time-capsule document of Northern Irish folk music at the close of the 1960s.
This is a record for collectors of Ulster loyalist music, Orange Order enthusiasts, and researchers or fans with an interest in vintage Northern Irish folk recordings. Original pressings on Spin are seldom found outside private collections.
| Artist | Walter Davidson and the Ulstermen |
| Album Title | More Loyal Songs of Ulster |
| Label | Spin Records |
| Catalogue Number | LP 1705 |
| Format | 12-inch vinyl LP |
| Speed | 33⅓ rpm |
| Recording Type | Mono |
| Release Year | 1968 |
| Country of Recording | Northern Ireland |
| Country of Manufacture | England |
| Genre | Irish Folk / Ulster Loyalist |
| Theme | Ulster / Loyalist / Orange Order |
| Number of Discs | 1 |
| Original / Reissue | Original first pressing |
Overall Grade: Used — Good.
Vinyl: Plays through both sides. Light surface marks and fine scuffs are visible when the disc is tilted under direct light — consistent with age and prior play. No deep gouges, no visible cracks. Expected audio surface noise may be present at quiet passages.
Labels: Both yellow Spin labels are clean, intact and fully legible. Label text and catalogue details are clear on both sides.
Sleeve: The bold orange artwork remains vibrant with no major colour fading. There is honest age-related wear: creasing and surface scuffs concentrated at the top-right corner and upper edges, and some light corner crushing. The sleeve is structurally intact. No inner sleeve is present — as is typical for this release.
Q: Is this a genuine original 1968 pressing or a later reissue?
A: This is a genuine original first pressing. Both Spin labels state the 1968 first published recording date, and the pressing and sleeve are entirely consistent with that era. It is not a reissue or reproduction.
Q: Will the record actually play, and how much noise should I expect?
A: The vinyl plays through both sides. Given the light surface marks visible under light, some background surface noise is likely during quieter passages — this is expected for a used record of this age. There are no skips or deep damage noted.
Q: Is an inner sleeve included?
A: No inner sleeve is present. The record comes with the original printed outer sleeve and the single vinyl disc only, which is consistent with how this title was typically issued.
Q: How scarce is this record?
A: Spin Records was a small Northern Irish independent label with limited distribution. Original pressings of their 1960s titles — particularly loyalist and Orange folk recordings — surface only rarely, mostly from private collections. This is not a title you will find in mainstream record shops.
Q: Can I see more detail of the label or sleeve condition before buying?
A: Absolutely — please message with your request and additional photos will be provided. The close-up of the label and the detail shots of the sleeve corners show the condition clearly, and further angles can be shared on request.
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