QUEEN I (3U/2U First pressing / Single Stamper)

On offer here is one of the rarest versions of their debut LP.  Not only does it have the first ever matrix (3U/2U) with KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY and OFF WITH HIS HEAD on the run out grooves but it also has the single mother stamper of H1 on each side. 

Using the EMI stamper code system GRAMOPHLTD where G=1, R=2 etc it means that this first pressing was made from only the 7th stamper.  It's rare to even find a 3U/2U with the mega rare 'Off With His Head' run off, as this is only ever seen on the 2U matrix, let alone one that was pressed this early.  This is an extremely rare vinyl!

The cover is also mega rare in that it only has the catalogue number on the spine.  All other covers from 3U/3U onwards had the 'Queen' title and catalogue number on both the spine and the top edge.  It may even be the case that some of the later 3U/2U covers had this also which would make the one I am selling seriously rare!

      EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 / YAX 4624 // H1 & H1

KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY on the S1 dead wax & OFF WITH HIS HEAD on the S2 dead wax 

The audio on S1 is Ex+ / Near Mint- ('Doing All Right' is Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint- ( 'The Night Comes Down is Ex+ ) 

The cover is VG++

The original inner is Ex
The original EMI labels are Near Mint

 Visual grading

  It is obvious this vinyl has not been played very much as there is not a vast amount of spindle wear and considering its rarity it has remained very clean indeed.  There are only four/five hairlines on S1 with only two of them being easily visible.  In saying that they are only faint and they are certainly not scratches and do not have any affect on the audio whatsoever.  S2 at first glance looks immaculate but on closer inspection you can see a few hairlines again and a small area of faint scratchy type marks on tracks 3/4 but again they have no bearing on the audio.  Overall this vinyl remains in excellent order and is rarely seen in this condition and even the run out grooves are supremely clean.  I would say it is one of the best mega early 3U/2U pressings around today and I do not think I have seen or heard better.

Play grading

There is minimal lead in static prior to 'Keep Yourself Alive' which then impresses with wonderful audio and high end sonic quality.  There is no crackle, clicks or pops at all and is a stunning start to this mega rare LP and I am confident in grading it as Near Mint-.  'Doing All Right' begins with only a hint of static which for such a quiet opening is incredible.  After about 25 seconds there are 3/4 very light clicks and the remainder of the track plays extremely well with just light background static here and there and the odd very light click.  'Great King Rat' has superb clarity and whilst there is a small amount of static and one click on the intro the remainder plays in stunning fashion with only one further click but barely any other interference.  The audio is just incredibly good, I can't describe it any other way!  It is just so rare for a 3U/2U first press to play this well.  Again 'My Fairy King' plays with superb audio and with only an absolute minimal amount of static sounds and only one faint click.  Once more I cannot stress just how good it sounds!  The crescendo ending plays so well and with no distortion, just a little crackle literally on the fade out.  This is a stunning end to Side One.

'Liar' has no 'background' on the intro which is such rarity on a vinyl of 44 years as there are so often hairlines/scratches/fingerprints on the first few grooves.  Not here!  The track throughout plays with stunning power and clarity and is definitely the best I have heard on such an early pressing.  The quality is mind-blowing!  There is only the slightest of background static in a couple of places and perhaps just a hint of distortion but I am still happy to grade it as Near Mint- and I am certain other sellers would grade it higher.  'The Night Comes Down' again impresses with amazing depth of sound and there is only a little static in the quieter sections but it is worth noting that it is very much in the background and does not intrude on what is a wonderful listen.  No clicks, pops, jumps simply stunning!  'Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll' quite simply plays with Mint- audio there is no other way to describe it.  'Son And Daughter' is not far from that grading and has no clicks etc.  There is perhaps a slight amount of distortion on the top end of the vocals but it is only minimal and the music plays in supreme fashion with wonderful bass.  The clarity again is of a very high standard.  'Jesus' plays in a very similar way and to be honest plays with less distortion than is often the case.  It is another fantastic listen and once again I amazed at the sheer audio quality here.  The abridged 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends the LP with wonderful quality and no interference, just a little crackle on the fade out.

In summary the audio on this mega rare 3U/2U pressing is of a very high standard.  Yes there are a small number of clicks on S1 but you expect some interference on a vinyl of this age and it doesn't really detract from what is a high quality listen.  There is also a little crackle between some tracks but this is without doubt the best genuine first pressing I have heard in a long time.  There cannot be many first pressings as early as this one with single stampers that play with such quality today.  A mega rare LP and highly collectible.

Cover

This G & L cover is in excellent condition when you consider its age and rarity.  As stated it only has the catalogue number on the spine and no other print anywhere else.  The edges and thin pinched spine have almost no rubbing and remain in wonderful condition.  There is some creasing on the front cover near the top edge just above the 'en' of Queen which can also be seen on the reverse.  There are also some smaller faint creases around the edges themselves.  The corners have only light rubbing but overall the cover is very clean front and back with no marking or writing.  There is also a little ringwear on both sides but it is minimal, you always get that with this album.  The opening edge only has a small amount of handling wear.

Considering the rarity of this cover it is in a perfectly respectable condition and is a genuine collectible piece in that very few of these covers were produced.

Original inner

The 'Important Notice' die-cut sleeve is in excellent shape with no splits or tears and no marks or writing.  There is just some creasing.

The labels

They are in superb order with no marks or writing and whilst there is some spindle wear it is not an excessive amount.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 / YAX 4624 // H1 & H1

KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY on the S1 dead wax & OFF WITH HIS HEAD on the S2 dead wax 

Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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