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Uriah Heep : Very 'Eavy...Very 'Umble 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This Vertigo first pressing plays with stunning quality for the vast majority with only minimal interference i.e. very very minimal!  A complete audio grading is given below.  S1 is superb with very little intrusion and S2 is just on another level!  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is hugely impressive and the closing track 'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' is a prime example of that - even the quiet second half plays with incredible clarity and no 'background'.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has clearly not been overplayed.

The iconic gatefold is in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear and the original swirl inner is also in great shape.

As this is a genuine first press it has the large swirl logo and the song writing / publishing credits on the S2 label.  'Real Turned On' and 'Walking In Your Shadow' have been swapped around on the inside credits of the gatefold.  It was also released with a laminated cover.

6360006 1Y//1 ▽ 420 1 1  4

6360006 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  5

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T1 quiet instrumental Ex- / T3 intro Ex-) 

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint
The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  All I can find under a strong light are some very faint hairlines which obviously have no impact on the audio quality.  There is no dulling of the surface, no groove wear and it really is a stunning looking vinyl.  The iconic Vertigo labels have no marking or writing just a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The classic intro on 'Gypsy' is 'as new' with no sign of any interference, not even one dust tick.  Incredible power and depth also, turn it up to max!  Byron's opening vocal is just as impressive but is there is one click in the left channel during the brief instrumental section that follows.  The second verse is as strong as the first and the next longer instrumental passage is superb!  Hensley's organ solo is so strong and the entire section plays with outstanding power and depth and no distortion.  The quiet section then plays with great clarity for the vast majority - there is no background static just three static ticks/clicks.  The remainder including the final vocal is faultless and again the power and definition of the audio can only be described 'as new'.  This is Near Mint for the vast majority but Ex- during the very quiet instrumental.

'Walking In Your Shadow' is stunning from the first note to the last with no intrusion.  Having listened to the track in full (as I always do) I can safely say the sonic quality is as it was back in 1970 - there are no clicks, pops or static and only a couple of barely audible ticks that obviously is not intrusive.  The vocals are so clear and the accompanying music could not play with any greater precision.  There is no 'muddiness' to the audio, just that strong deep typical Heep sound that is even more impressive on a Vertigo first pressing.  This is Mint with a perfect fade out also.

The intro on 'Come Away Melinda' has one light click and a couple of light ticks but still plays very clearly.  The opening three verses play beautifully with no interference and the fourth just has 3/4 very light ticks that do intrude on the audio quality.  The high octane vocal section plays with great clarity and power and the next verse just has one light click.  The rest of this emotive classic is faultless and again the majority is Near Mint at the very least but with an Ex- intro.
'Lucy's Blues' ends the side with sublime quality throughout.  The playback is crystal clear with no inner groove distortion and I cannot find one single negative.  A couple of barely audible ticks that is all.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with exceptional clarity and Mint is very much deserved.
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The quiet intro on 'Dreammare' has no static - no 'background' at all.  As the volume increases the audio is flawless and the opening vocal section is sensational!  It is so powerful and 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  It continues to play with tremendous power and depth and I detected just one mega light tick during the mid instrumental.  The sonic quality is stunning and the final vocal section more than keeps up the standard.  This is easily Mint- although the minus is perhaps a little harsh!  What a version!

'Real Turned On' again demonstrates in so many ways just how carefully this vinyl has been looked after.  The clarity and definition of the audio is like it was pressed only yesterday not 52 years ago!  The power is quite simply on another level and there is no distortion.  From start to finish there is no interference - zero!  This is Mint in every sense of the word.

The long intro on 'I'll Keep On Trying' is STUNNING!  And Byron's opening vocal is just as strong.  It continues to play with infinite power (if there is such a thing!) and the quieter mid section plays with sublime clarity with not even a dust tick.  Box's work is so powerful and precise throughout and the remainder of this classic again 'knocks the socks' off any subsequent release - this is why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable.  Audio does not get any better than this!  Mint

'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)' is of course made up of two separate halves and I am pleased to say the first half could not play any better.  The playback is strong and clear and for once there is no distortion.  A special mention for Byron's vocal - almost operatic in it grandeur it has lost none of its original quality and is not affected by static or distortion in any way, it is so 'clean'.  The first part of the quiet section plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks - just remember how genuinely quiet this passage is!  As Byron's vocal returns this stunning clarity remains.  This is easily one of the finest versions of this classic that I have ever heard as there is just no 'background', a handful of insignificant and barely audible dust ticks at most.  The clarity on both the first and second half is amazing!  I'm going to say Mint- but really you could not get a more 'complete' version.  A stunning way to finish the album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a high end standard with only minimal interference which happens to be on S1.  With only 3/4 clicks it is kept to a minimum and the vast majority of this side plays with near perfect audio it has to be said.  As for S2 - wow!  The clarity, depth and power throughout is so impressive so much so that I cannot find one single fault not even during the quiet section on 'Wake Up (Set Your Sights)'.  As stated the vinyl is visually stunning and that is just one reason why it plays so well.  It is another Vertigo first pressing I am selling that has been so well preserved over the last half century and together with a superb cover and inner it will add to any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in great condition with only very minimal shelf wear and there is nothing that stands out.  The edges are in perfect order with no rubbing and the spine is super clean with barely any wear on the corners.  The other corners are also in great condition with no obvious wear and the opening edge has next to no handling wear also.  The front cover is so close to perfect with no marking and only a minimal touch of laminate creasing/wear in the top right corner, it really is very minor.  The back cover is just as impressive and the inside of the gatefold is in fantastic condition for once!  You often find it with some marking at the top of each panel where the two of them have stuck together but there are only a couple of 'specks' on each side here.  A superb example overall.

The original poly-lined Vertigo swirl inner (dated 0470) is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one very small tear on the central 'window'.  It is very clean with very little age related fading and only minimal creasing.

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

6360006 1Y//1 ▽ 420 1 1  4

6360006 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  5

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 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 : £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!