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.

The Pretty Things : Parachute A2 / B2 1st Press 1970 No EMI

Another first pressing on offer here that plays with exceptional audio!  All tracks grade as Mint with only the title track grading as Near Mint and even then I am perhaps being a little too critical!  The clarity and depth of the audio is stunning and I have never heard a better than this, the sonic quality is quite simply on another level.  The vinyl does have some light hairlines and some spindle wear but in a sense this just shows how carefully this previous owner handled his records.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic I am selling.

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original inner is also in great shape.

This first pressing has an A2/B2 matrix and there is no EMI logo on the labels.

SHVL 774 // A-2 / B-2 // H 1 / P 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Ex+

The original inner is Ex-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a strong glossy sheen and there are no obvious marks or scratches.  I can see some faint hairlines of which only a couple are a little more obvious but these do not impact on the stunning quality of the audio.  The run out grooves are very clean and whilst the yellow / green Harvest labels have some spindle wear they are unmarked and retain all of their original colour.

Play grading  

The entire intro on 'Scene One' has no background, a genuine rarity, and the vocal section can also be described 'as new'.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is superb and this opening track plays to a Mint standard from start to finish.

The second part of 'Scene One - The Good Mr. Square' keeps up this fine start and plays to the highest standard possible.  With not even a single dust tick it is Mint in every way.

The segue into the third section 'She Was Tall, She Was High' is perfect and it then proceeds to play with sublime clarity and warmth.  There are no negatives and Mint is again deserved.  So far this classic album is playing rather well!

The acoustic intro on 'In The Square' has no background and then continues the fine tradition of Mint audio from that point on.  A relatively quiet track and yet the clarity is 'as new' throughout.

Part 2 of the preceding track 'The Letter' is of the same standard with no intrusion on the audio.  'Rain' is just as impressive with a clarity of sound that could not be enhanced in any way.  Both these tracks grade as Mint such is the sonic quality on offer here.  The depth of the audio especially is outstanding.

'Miss Fay Regrets' plays with exceptional audio from the first note to the last.  Already it is getting hard to describe each track in an individual way!  The clarity and power of the audio here is just STUNNING!  Mint

The intro on 'Cries From The Midnight Circus' plays with perfect audio and May's opening vocal is equal to that.  It continues to play with incredible quality and again it's the sheer depth of the audio that really stands out.  It is so deep and strong and this quality is prevalent throughout.  This album has been played a number of times but it has lost none of its original sonic quality - every vocal and instrumental play with remarkable precision and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and no distortion either.  The closing instrumental section in particular is mind-blowing!  A Mint finish to a Mint Side One.

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The delicate intro on 'Grass' plays beautifully and May's first vocal has no background either.  From then on it plays as you would want it to with a clarity and depth that is second to none, in other words 'as new'.  There is nothing to detract from the audio, the playback is perfection personified!  Even the quieter moments have no interference and again Mint is 100% justified.

'Sickle Clowns' keeps up the standard and plays with stunning precision from the first note to the last.  There is great depth and resonance to this track as it so reliant on the percussion and bass and the guitar work from new band member Unitt is superb.  Mint

'She's A Lover' is Mint there is no need to elaborate!

The quiet piano intro on 'What's The Use' plays with wonderful clarity - no interference just a couple of barely audible dust ticks and then the vocal section plays perfectly.  This is a track that definitely should have been extended!  Mint

The title track 'Parachute' ends the album with suitably impressive audio.  The first vocal section is of course relatively quiet and yet the clarity is stunning with only a handful of mega quiet dust ticks.  The instrumental passage has just a hint of light static in a couple of sections but honestly it is so quiet and totally non-intrusive, I'm not sure why I am mentioning it really!  It plays incredibly well and the piano section towards the end is faultless.  The final 'lift off' is so clean and completes the track with superb 'audio'.  I'm tempted to grade as Mint- but I shall say Near Mint even though you can barely hear the static that I mentioned!

In summary this first pressing could not play any better in my opinion.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the clarity is absolutely STUNNING on both sides.  Ok it has been played a number of times but obviously only on high end equipment as the sonic quality is just as strong as it would have been when first pressed.  The previous owner clearly handled his records very very carefully!  In essence there is no interference - not even the few seconds of barely audible static on the title track counts as interference!  Another FINAL UPGRADE archive classic and I am confident in saying that as I have listened to every second of every track.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The top edges are perfect and the bottom edges are not far behind with only a little rubbing near the right corners.  The spine is superb and only the bottom right corners have a little wear, the others are exceptionally clean.  The opening edge is in great shape with just one minor 'crimp' which is next to a tiny 'nick' on the back cover and I do mean tiny!  The front cover is also very clean with only a small number of faint laminate creases next to the spine as is common and the back cover just has that tiny 'nick', minor ringwear and very minor laminate wear in the lower left corner, it is very faint.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking and the inner spine is undamaged.  A fine example overall.

The poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner (date coded 0470) is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  It has a little age related fading around the edges and a few small spots also.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SHVL 774 // A-2 / B-2 // H 1 / P 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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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" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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!