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Queen "A Day At The Races"!

1st UK Pressing  Cat No EMTC 104

Earliest Possible -1U -1U Matrix Endings! 

WOW! Look, Earliest "1" to "1" Mother Stampers On Side 2

"STERLING" Machine Etched On Both Sides Of The Runoff Grooves!

Near Mint Audio Quality!

No Spider Trails Around The Spindle Hole! Looks As Un played In My Opinon!!

Complete Garrod & Lofthouse 1st Issue Unlaminated Gatefold Cover Stunning Condition For 42  Years Old!

Only two plays by me ever! Unbeleivably rare!

An Audio Archive Copy Never Need To Upgrade!

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Another from my personal collection. I own all of the QUEEN albums and I have most of the UK variations that I know of.  This being their fifth Queen album released over 42 years ago ! All of my Queen albums listed will be near mint Audio Archive copies and some may even be unplayed or at least only played once or twice only! This album was originally only ever played one time to record to tape and then stored in a case with the vinyl separated from the sleeve and cover for protection. This is how I have always stored my records. This is the earliest early 1st UK variation so rare to find this mega early variation  -1U -1U matrix endings variation  rarely seen this early in this awesome viortually unplayed condition. The vinyl has only ever been played by me two times ever from new and the audio is to die for absolutely stunning through out! On initial inspection the vinyl looks unplayed in my opinion no visable spider marks around the spindle hole.!  So rich and vibrant it nearly shook the house down. Note: Please allow for isolated static type pops/ticks heard during some quieter places only.  (Note: Alowances must be made for these mid seventies pressings static type ticks are common caused due to the nature of the way that the vinyl was supplied in a card record sleeve. Dirt and grit trapped in the sleeve caused surface scratches which is why I now and have done for forty odd years, stored my vinyls seperately from the sleeves and covers.) It is noted that the vinyl is slightly uneven when sat on the turntable when playing on side 1 but note, Importantly,, this has no effect on the audio quality at all. Even stranger this unevenness is not noticable when playing on side two on my systems.  The original 1st issue  unlaminated Garrod & Lofthouse gate fold cover has no splits or tears and has very light storagewear only in the form of light edge line creases/rubbing and a slight vinyl impression despite my attempts to keep this in the best condition over the years, having stored the vinyl externally from the cover this caused a slight impression at the rear of the cover over the years.  I would grade the cover at least excellent, at least exceptional condition for being 42 years old! see photos! Overall A very clean Audio Archive copy!

Actual recording from the vinyl:

Queen: A Day At The Races: Side1. Your browser does not support the audio element. Queen: A Day At The Races: Side2. Your browser does not support the audio element.








A Day at the Races is the fifth studio album by the British rock band Queen.








Released on 10 December 1976 by EMI Records in the United Kingdom and by Elektra Records in the United States.




It was the band's first completely self-produced album, and the first not to feature producer Roy Thomas Baker.






Recorded at Sarm East, The Manor and Wessex Studios in England, A Day at the Races was engineered by Mike Stone.









The album serves as a companion album to the band's previous album, A Night at the Opera, both taking their names from Marx Brothers films, as well as sharing similar packaging and eclectic musical themes.






The record garnered positive reviews from critics, with The Washington Post describing A Day at the Races as "a judicious blend of heavy metal rockers and classically influenced, almost operatic, torch songs." The Winnipeg Free Press was also appreciative, writing, "Races is a reconfirmation of Queen's position as the best of the third wave of English rock groups." Circus gave the album a mixed review, writing, "With A Day at the Races, they've deserted art-rock entirely. They're silly now. And wondrously shameless." Dave Marsh, writing in Rolling Stone, was more critical and described Freddie Mercury as possessing a merely "passable pop voice". He found Queen to be the least experimental of eclectic contemporary rock groups and accused them of having "brazen" "commercial aspirations".







In the UK the first track to be released as a single was "Somebody to Love" on 12 November 1976 (EMI 2565), reaching #2.





"Tie Your Mother Down" followed on 4 March 1977 (EMI 2593), reaching #31, and "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy" on 20 May 1977, reaching #17. In the US, "Somebody to Love" was released on 10 December 1976 (Elektra E45362) and reached #13. It was followed by "Tie Your Mother Down" (Elektra E45385) in March 1977, which reached #49. Both of these were released in Japan: in addition, "Teo Torriatte" was also released exclusively in Japan.




Track listing
Side one
1. "Tie Your Mother Down" Brian May Freddie Mercury 4:48
2. "You Take My Breath Away" Freddie Mercury Mercury 5:09
3. "Long Away" May Brian May 3:34
4. "The Millionaire Waltz" Mercury Mercury 4:54
5. "You and I" John Deacon Mercury 3:25

Side two
6. "Somebody to Love" Mercury Mercury 4:56
7. "White Man" May Mercury 4:59
8. "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" Mercury Mercury with Mike Stone 2:54
9. "Drowse" Roger Taylor Roger Taylor 3:45
10. "Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together)" May Mercury 5:50

The Matrix

Side1 "YAX 5245-1U" ("STERLING" Machine Etched on the run off grooves Master Pressers Signature only 1st UK press)
Side2"YAX 524601U"("STERLING" Machine Etched on the run off grooves Master Pressers Signature only 1st UK press)

The Mother Stampers

Side 1. "2" "GA"

Side 2 "1" "GL" (WOW! Look Earliest "1" to "1" Mother Stampers)

The labels.

The original custom EMI  labels are in awesome condition! (These looks superb in my opinion)!   Amaizingly I can't see any spider marks/trails at all, even when angled to the light and of coarse (no) spindle ware. This has only ever been played one time only from new when I initially purchased it and one time to play grade for this listing. So rare  for an album that is 42years old! Impossible to find like this! very very collectable!

The vinyl.

The vinyl is absolutely superb! On initial visual inspection this looks like new and still retains its sheen from new! (please note this vinyl has only ever been  played by me personally and I originally played this to record to tape! In the last 40 years this has been stored in a case with the vinyl separated from the sleeve and cover to prevent ring ware and damage. This is how I have always stored my records, and of course I played this again to play grade at very loud volume on a top system!  Note: I noticed slight un evenness of the vinyl on side one when laying on the turntable but not noticed on side two. Importantly, this had no effect on the audio quality as I heard it on my systems at all!   In fact even when I look at the playing surface angled to a strong light I find it hard notice and scratches or marks. Any other marks that could possible be seen when angled in strong light would be light whyspy surface scratches only and sleeve removal type only caused by dirt or grit trapped between the vinyl and card type sleeve. (comon with this album) which is why I seperated them to preserve the condition.

The Audio Quality

 I have played this through track for track prior to listing at very very loud volume on a top system! The moment the needle hits the playing surface it is obvious this vinyl has barely ever been played at all!  The audio quality is as you would expect when purchased new, superbe, TOP, TOP, TOP! cristal clear and extremely vibrant through out in fact this plays almost as a new vinyl would sound in my opinion!    This played through superb unbelievable audio seperation, that I haven't heard like this before and stunning bassey feel throughout almost cd. quality for the most part on my systems! Any interferance was minimal in myopinion Note: some isolated static ticks noted, heard during isolated quiet places only common on these mid seventies pressings. Even in between tracks in general was lovely and quiet. This vinyl has been stored separately from the cover in a poly sleeve for over 40 years! This is the way I always  have stores my records! The vibrancy of the audio on this pressing in my opinion is almost as good as it gets for a very early 1st issue variation! Even in between tracks this is very quiet!   I would class myself as highly critical and this is a truly exceptional sounding vinyl   by this awesome rock band ''Queen'' and so hard to find like this after all these years! Please check my completed listings of records that i have sold of this quality and you will see that i normally get it right! I would grade the audio at least excellent plus to near as mint for the most part through out! (note: please allow for isolated static type ticks as mentioned previously heard in isolated quiet places only common on these mid seventies pressings)

Please note! That i always make this disclaimer! Allowances must be made for these mid seventies pressings. Dirt and grit trapped in between the card record sleeve and record causes surface scratches. Please allow for the odd isolated static/ ticks heard as mentioned previously, certainly not consistent throughout the audio. This is a genuine 42 year old vinyl that would have originally been played on a 42 year old system! Genuinly only ever played two times ever!

Points to note! This has been stored in a case laying dormant for at least 40 years! A build up of dirt and dust in the grooves from laying dormant causes static crackle\ticks! A constant clean before each play is recommended ! This would reduce any static and enhance the audio quality!

The Record Sleeve

This is the original thick card type cardboard die cut picture record sleeve, with rounded corners (only 1st issues) later issues are square. This is clean and straight.  Note: Slight vinyl impression noted: A very small mark on one side can just be seen in photos. No edge splits or tears.

The Cover

This is the original and earliest 1st UK issue Garrod & Lofthouse  printed un laminated, gate fold cover! (No Barcode) This is absolutely superbe for 42 years old, but despite my attempts to store the vinyl seperately from inside the cover there is a slight vinyl impression noted at the rear.  This cover being primarily black is very difficult to keep in great condion.  Generally rare to find ist issues in this generallyt awesome condition super straight in  appearance with light indents rubbing to mention noticed if looked for onlt. (see photos)  Any rubbing or indents or edge lines are really only noticed if looked for in my opinion (See Photos) The spine is square and all text readable. I would grade the cover at least excellent! No splits or tears.

HOW I SEND MY RECORDS!

THIS ALBUM WILL BE SENT IN A LARGE BOX WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS THE ALBUM IS ALWAYS PUT IS A POLY SLEEVE AND ENCASED IN THE BOX WITH PLENTY OF BUBBLEWRAP FOR ADDED PROTECTION (SEE PHOTOS)

                           

As always I have tried to give my honest personal opinion when describing items listed! Although it is my honest opinion! I always urge others to do their own personal research on any items that they are interested in purchasing, before, they commit to bidding!) I have Highlighted all aspects as clearly as possible!! I have taken time to play this vinyl track for track to give a clear and accurate description of the audio quality as i hear it. (please look at my completed listings of albums that I have sold of this calaber (more than 1000 items) and you will see that I normally get it right) I have also provided as many photos as I can and supersized so that all aspects can be seen clearly in strong light!!!!!Please note! These photos are the actual item for sale and not copies of other items!!!!!!!

Please do not hesitate to email me with any questions regarding this item or any other items that I have listed!

I HAVE 100% POSITIVE FEEDBACK SO PLEASE BID WITH TOTAL CONFIDANCE!

SHIPPING TO THE USA, CANADA & JAPAN IS 18.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

SHIPPING TO EUROPE IS 15.76 GBP INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR DELIVERY WITH INSURANCE AND TRACKING

POSTAGE WITHIN ENGLAND IS FREE SENT BY RECORDED DELIVERY

Please note! All items are now despatched by Royal Mail signed for 1st class delivery!!!! I normally despatch weekdays within the next working day on receipt of cleared funds!!!I POST ON WEEKDAYS ONLY (NOT OVER THE WEEKEND)!! Tracking details are always emailed to the winning bidder after despatch.

All items are despatched securely with ample reinforcement (It is my prime interest to make sure that the items arrive in the same condition that they left me!!!!

I offer a postage discount for multiple purchases!!!,, but i do insist that the buyer pay for the items as they are won! I can not any longer allow winning bidders to run up a large bill and then not pay! I do not have a problem with holding the goods to be despatched untill they are ready (at the buyers request), for multiple items purchased!

PLEASE LOOK AT MY OTHER RARE 1ST UK PRESSINGS LISTED NOW!!!! (click the link bellow)

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