Queen I (1st Press)

This first pressing is beautifully clean and plays with stunning audio except for two seconds of 'background'.

EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 3U // HP 3 / OA 2

KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY & AGAIN! are etched on the run out grooves 

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 2 intro Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority)

The cover is Ex

The original inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl has a stunning glossy sheen and under a strong bright light I can only detect a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines only.  It really is a fantastic example of a first press and there are no scratches at all.  There are a couple of tiny radial lines but they have no bearing on the superb audio.  At first glance you would be mistaken for thinking this was a new vinyl!  The run out grooves are also beautifully clean.

Play grading  

From the very first note 'Keep Yourself Alive' plays with 100% accuracy and the depth and clarity is stunning.  It may have been their debut but it was produced so well and when you find a 'super clean' first pressing such as this the warmth and definition of the sound is 'high end'.  This is a breathtaking start to S1 and it grades as Mint as there is no interference of any kind and even the fade out plays perfectly.  There is no 'background' on the 'Doing All Right' intro but on the second line there are two clicks unfortunately the cause of which I cannot find so might be a pressing fault.  The audio thereafter is immaculate.  The many quiet sections play with stunning precision and the louder sections impress with great power and no distortion at all.  'Great King Rat' is another highlight and plays with immaculate clarity from start to finish.  The depth and power again is sublime, the audio could not be any better, stunning!  'My Fairy King' ends the side with superb sound once more.  It plays with incredible power and the only 'background' is a very slight touch of hiss on the fade out.  This is however so minimal and totally non-intrusive.

With no lead in static 'Liar' plays with astounding precision from the very first groove.  I turned it up loud and there was no distortion at all.  It has to be one of the most dynamic versions I have heard and on a 3U/3U first pressing.  I keep on about power but this album has so many 'rock' sections and here the louder sections play with amazing definition and...power.  This classic has audio of the highest calibre and grades as Mint as it plays 'as new'.  So rare to hear these days.  The intro on 'The Night Comes Down' plays with perfect precision and this continues throughout the track.  I love the strong bass on this album and it is certainly obvious on this track.  'Modern Times Rock 'n' Roll' again plays 'as new' and 'Son And Daughter' isn't far off that with no obvious interference other than a minimal hint of distortion on the top end although perhaps I am being overly critical.  It still plays incredibly and the fade out is nigh on perfect.  'Jesus' has mega impressive audio and as any Queen fan knows this regularly has some distortion BUT I am pleased to say there is none here.  It plays with fantastic definition and the instrumental section towards the end is just mind-blowing!  'Seven Seas...' ends the album with no interference and only a little distortion on the top end.  The long fade out plays perfectly which is rare on the final grooves of any side let alone one of this age.

In summary this 3U/3U first pressing plays with stunning audio with only two seconds of obvious interference on the one track.  The clarity is superb throughout and it is plain to see that the vinyl has only been lightly played.

The Cover

The cover is very clean with only minor shelf wear.  The edges and thin spine are in excellent shape with hardly any rubbing and the corners have minimal wear.  There are a few small creases around the edges and the opening edge appears untouched.  The front and back cover are in lovely condition with no marking at all, it would be difficult to find cleaner.  Overall an excellent example of this cover.

The Inner sleeve

The original sleeve is in excellent condition with no splits or tears and has only light creasing here and there.  There are a few small marks literally on the top edge.

The labels

They are in superb condition with very little spindle wear and they have no marking or writing either.

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

EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 3U // HP 3 / OA 2

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

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7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!