Reduced international shipping costs for March/April!  All items sent tracked. 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.

Queen : Queen (Debut) 3U/2U 1st Press

This first pressing plays with wonderful audio on both sides.  As always I have played every track in full and whilst S1 is superb S2 is superb plus plus!  The clarity, power and definition of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard and it could be said that there is no actual interference - a small number of very light ticks on S1 yes but there are no clicks, pops or background static. I think the 'rare' word can correctly be used here as the 3U/2U first press was only pressed in limited numbers and there cannot be many around like this today.    It is also one of the earliest as it has only a single 'O' stamper on each side and of course has the rare 'OFF WITH HIS HEAD' etching on the S2 run off.

The vinyl is visually in great order also and in my opinion has hardly been played.  I base this on the audio and that there is hardly any spindle wear on the super clean labels.  A FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in my opinion i.e. no need to purchase another as it would be nigh on impossible to find better audio.

The cover is also in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and the original inner sleeve is also very clean.  A superb album!

EMC 3061 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // O 1 / O 1

KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY etched on S1 & OFF WITH HIS HEAD etched on S2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 intro Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is a very strong Ex-

The inner sleeve is Ex+
The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and has clearly not been played very much.  There is barely any spindle wear and still has a very impressive glossy sheen.  There are no scratches and whilst there are some hairlines on each side they are very faint and have no affect on the audio.  There are a handful of very small faint 'spots' on S1 but again they have no impact on the sound quality.  The run out grooves are very clean and the EMI labels are in in superb condition with no marking or writing, they look practically 'as new'.
Play grading

The intro on 'Keep Yourself Alive' is close to perfect with only a small number of very light static ticks.  The clarity is very impressive and there is no actual background static at all.  Freddie's first vocal is faultless and it continues to play with exceptional quality with just one light tick during the second vocal but it is barely audible!  Roger's solo is 'as new' and Brian's 'sound' is as clean as it was back in '73.  The clarity throughout is stunning and if the intro is Ex+ (perhaps a little harsh) then the remainder is Mint- for sure.

'Doing All Right' has barely any static on the intro and the opening vocal is equally as good, just a couple of minor background ticks.  From then on there is so much to admire!  The super quiet 'Should be waiting for the sun...' verse plays beautifully and I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the clarity is here.  Freddie's opening vocal is unbelievably clean' with no intrusion apart from a couple of mega light ticks towards the end and the first 'high octane' section has no interference whatsoever.  It proceeds to play with a clarity and depth that defies its age - every note is so sharp and precise and that includes the vocal/piano end section.  I will grade as Near Mint but it has to be said that the vast majority is of a Mint standard.

Brian's intro on 'Great King Rat' again plays so clearly with only a couple of insignificant light ticks and first vocal is 'as new' without question.  This standard is maintained as you progress further and there is just no intrusion.  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and there is also no distortion on the top end.  The 'Now listen all you people...' vocal is just immaculate!  The power and definition of the audio is so impressive and I have never heard better - to think this is a 3U/2U first pressing!  The very quiet acoustic section that follows is flawless and Brian's rip-roaring solo has to be heard to be believed!  To the final drum beat there is no interference and wow what a version!  Mint- more than does it justice.

The intro on 'My Fairy King' could not play any better and even Roger's vocal 'scream' is flawless!  The opening vocal has no 'background' and it continues to play with sublime quality and once again it's the clarity and depth of the audio that really stands out.  There are a couple of very light ticks at the start of the quiet piano/vocal section but the remainder of this piece plays to perfection.  As the audio builds the playback is STUNNING!  The quiet finale has no interference and again I will grade as Near Mint despite being Mint for the majority.

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

The classic 'Liar' has barely any static on the intro and the playback is so strong as the volume increases.  The opening vocal is just as good and thereafter plays to a fantastic standard.  Put simply there is no interference and this powerful track delivers on every level.  Brian's Red Special could not sound any better!  The more I listen to it the more I am impressed.  You rarely find a first press playing with such clarity, depth and power and the 'choral' section near the end is a prime example of that.  There is no distortion and again this is worthy of a Mint- grade.

The long intro on 'The Night Comes Down' is so near perfect with just the one tick.  There is no background static to be heard and the same applies to the first verse and chorus.  3/4 mega light ticks perhaps but you can hardly hear them in all honesty.  It continues to play with a clarity that cannot be faulted - in other words there is nothing that gets in the way of the listening 'experience'.  The tracks builds perfectly into the final section and this is a stunning Mint- version for sure.

'Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll' plays to the same 'high end' standard with literally no interference.  Nothing more needs to be said.  Mint

'Son And Daughter' also plays with impeccable clarity and depth throughout.  This is of course such a powerful track and yet there is no distortion and in essence it plays 'as new' with no intrusion.  I will grade as Mint- just because of minimal static at the end of the fade out.

'Jesus' so often plays with a fair amount of distortion I find but that is certainly not the case here.  The intro and opening verses/chorus' play with outstanding quality and the 'high octane' middle passage is awesome!  So powerful and dynamic and...no distortion and no interference.  Stunning!  The playback here is sensational and I just had to play it twice.  the final vocal is of the same standard and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint such is the quality.  I have never heard a better version.

'Seven Seas Of Rhye...' has only a couple of light ticks on the intro and then plays to perfection for the remainder.  Even the long fade out is so 'clean' with only a couple of mega light ticks right at the end.  A Mint- finish to this album in my opinion.

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard that is so hard to find today.  The vinyl has been so well preserved and the sonic quality on both sides is just so impressive.  The 3U/2U matrix was only pressed in very limited numbers (single stamper on each side) and this is easily the finest version I have ever heard.  I would go so far to say that there is no actual intrusion on either side.  A small number of light ticks on S1 but that does not qualify as interference.  The production values on this album are so good when you consider this is their debut and that quality shines through on such a clean vinyl.  The clarity, power and warmth of the audio is superb!  A FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in my humble opinion.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The top edge is in super clean with barely any rubbing and most of the rubbing/wear on the bottom edge is mainly limited to the corners.  The thin pinched spine is in great shape with only minor 'white' mark and it remains 100% legible.  The corners are very clean indeed and only the lower right corner has a little more wear.  The opening edge is also in great condition with no obvious handling wear, just a couple of minor 'crimps'.  The front cover has no marking as such although you can see a little ringwear which is common and just a hint of fading near the bottom edge.  The back cover if anything is even better with only minimal fading near the top.  The ringwear on this side certainly isn't obvious.  A fine example overall and better than so many you see today.

The original plain white die-cut inner (with Patent No and Made In England) has no side splits and just one tiny 'nick' on the top edge.  There is hardly any creasing and only one very small mark on one side.
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 3061 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // O 1 / O 1
KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY etched on S1 & OFF WITH HIS HEAD etched on S2

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

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 WILL 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 : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 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!