I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

QUEEN II 4U/4U 1st Pressing

This first pressing plays to 'high end' standard with very little intrusion.  In fact there are no clicks or pops and only a minimal amount of light static in a small number of places and it is never loud.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is very impressive and has not been played very often based on the audio and that there is barely any spindle wear.  The vinyl itself is in superb condition with no marks or scratches.

The iconic laminated cover is one of the finest you will find today, it is so clean.  It has only very minimal shelf wear and there is certainly nothing that stands out plus it has retained all of its original colour.  The original lyric inner is also in superb condition with no side splits!

EMA 797 // YAX 4̶7̶3̶6̶ 4735 - 4U / YAX 4̶7̶3̶5 4736 - 4U // GGL 4 / GRG 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+ / T4 ranges between Ex+ & Mint- / T6 Near Mint)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex++
The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong light I can only detect a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines and there is no groove wear or 'fading' either.  The run out grooves are very clean and you can easily read the matrix info.  The original EMI labels have no marking or writing and have only a couple of tiny spindle traces on S1 and nothing on S2!
Play grading

The opening 'beats' on 'Procession' play so clearly with just one dust tick - a genuine rarity as this intro is so often affected by static/crackle.  It proceeds in the same way with exceptional clarity and no interference at all.  The playback is stunning and this is easily a Mint- start to this classic album.

The segue into 'Father To Son' has only a couple of mega light static ticks and the intro is then faultless.  The opening vocal section is just as impressive and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  It plays with plays with that typical deep resonant tone that you only get from the first pressings that have been well cared for down the years.  As the music builds into the high octane 'Take this letter...' vocal the audio is incredible and the 'heavy' mid section is just phenomenal.  The audio definition is so strong and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound i.e. every note can be heard with sublime precision and there is no distortion on the top end.  There is the lightest of static in the 'A word in your ear from Father to son...' section which is totally non-intrusive and then the remainder of this classic more than keep up the standard with no interference, just pure clean audio even on the long fade.  I think Mint- is again deserved here.

The intro on 'White Queen' does have a little static but for some reason that always seems to be the case with this track.  The first vocal then plays incredible with barely any static and thereafter plays in a very similar way with no ticks, clicks or pops.  The first 'chorus' is perfect and the next verse has only minimal background static here and there, certainly nothing intrusive.  The instrumental section is faultless and the 'high octane' vocal section that follows just could not play any better.  The final quiet vocal has no 'background' at all, a superb finish.  There are many Near Mint / Mint sections but overall Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Some Day One Day' plays with wonderful clarity from the outset - the acoustic intro is flawless and it continues to play with great clarity and depth with no sign of any interference.  The vocals are again so 'clean' and the instrumental passages are equally as good.  An example of that is on the long fade out which has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  A Mint version for sure.

The percussive intro on 'The Loser In The End' is 'as new' and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  An underrated track in my opinion it plays with tremendous power and definition and of course...no interference.  A typical Taylor track that impresses on so many levels and there is none of the none of the inner groove distortion that you so often find.  Pure unadulterated Mint audio from start to finish.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The slow build up on 'Ogre Battle' has only the bare minimum of light static and the first 'heavy' section has no 'background' at all.  Freddie's opening vocal is the same and it continues to play with impeccable clarity and power.  No interference here!  The psychedelic 'instrumental' section is 'as new' and it tends to be forgotten by the general public that Freddie wrote damn good prog in the early days!  The final section also plays with stunning precision and Mint- is deserved.

'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' once more demonstrates just how well this vinyl has been looked after as it plays with imperious quality throughout with no interference.  Perhaps a couple of mega light ticks but you could easily miss them.  Great clarity.  Mint-

The piano intro on 'Nevermore' has only minor light static and the first verse is close to perfect.  The second verse is very clean also and there is just a little more static right at the end.  Ex+

Again the piano intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' has just a little light static and then the opening vocal has barely any intrusion.  The 'high octane' section that follows is faultless and the next verse and first chorus are 'as new' with no interference.  It continues to play with outstanding quality through every vocal and the instrumental section - I've never really noticed the bells before during the powerful section that precedes the mid quiet vocal and that shows you just how good the clarity is here.  The quiet 'A voice from behind me...' verse plays beautifully with barely any static and as it builds there is no decrease in quality.  The next vocal section is just STUNNING and for once you can turn it up with no hint of any distortion and the quieter section near the end has just a little static.  The final vocal has no 'background' so overall I would say this ranges between Ex+ and Mint- but certainly a lot more of the latter!

'Funny How Love Is' plays with sublime quality from the first note to the last with no intrusion.  The long fade out is super clean with only a little static at the end.  Mint-

The classic intro on 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' has only minimal static and it then plays with very impressive audio for a final track.  It often plays with a 'muddy' sound and yet this version has a superb clarity of sound and plays with great accuracy and...no inner groove distortion.  The seaside 'singalong' plays so well with only light static towards the end.  A very impressive Near Mint finish to this classic album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a superb standard with very little intrusion.  There is certainly no obvious interference i.e. no clicks or pops and there is only a minimal amount of light static here and there that is hardly intrusive in my opinion.  The vast majority is 'high end' to say the least with a sonic quality that is very impressive.  It is also interesting to note that there is no distortion on either side which suggests that the record has not been overplayed.  In hand with a lovely cover this has been very well preserved over the decades.

The Gatefold & Lyric Inner

The glossy laminated G&L cover is in lovely condition and rarely found as good as this today.  It has retained its original shape and structure that only results from a cover that has not been handled very much down the years.  The edges are so close to perfect with just one tiny 'rub' and the wide spine is in great shape with only a minimal amount of wear on the top corner.  The other corners remain in superb condition with barely any wear and the opening edge has hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is unmarked and has no laminate damage at all - there are just a handful of minor creases around the edges that you commonly see.  The back cover is just as clean although you can see a little ringwear when held at a certain angle and just a minor amount of rubbing near the bottom edge, very minor I hasten to add!  The inside of the gatefold is as near to perfect as is possible!  So often found with marking/yellowing around the edges it is remarkably clean and has remained very 'white' despite the passage of the time.  The inside spine is undamaged, also which makes a change.  There are only a small number of mega faint spots around the spine area and a couple of small marks top left which are again very faint.  A fine example overall and Near Mint- has to be fair.
The original lyric inner (with the four cut corners) is in superb condition with no side splits or tears.  There is just one minor spot on S1 (White) and just two small faint marks on S2 (Black) and you would be hard pressed to find a better one.  Made of paper and not far off 50 years old after all!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMA 797 // YAX 4̶7̶3̶6̶ 4735 - 4U / YAX 4̶7̶3̶5 4736 - 4U // GGL 4 / GRG 1

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" single : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!