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.

Catapilla : Catapilla 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press 1971 Vertigo

This relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides and very little intrusion.  There is one brief section on S1 that has a little interference but even then it is not loud and there is also one click on the end fade out on S2.  As for the rest of the album - the playback is stunning!  I cannot explain just how strong and clear the audio is.  There is no background and the clarity and depth is spectacular.  You only get sonic quality like this on a vinyl that has been so well preserved and this one certainly has been.  It is obvious it has not been played very much based on the audio and the minimal spindle wear and visually the vinyl is so impressive also.

The gatefold is definitely the best I have ever seen for this album and has only the bare minimum of shelf wear.  Hopefully the photos do it justice!  It is so clean and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly which makes a change.  The original Vertigo swirl inner is also in superb condition.

6360029  1Y//1▽ 420  1 1  4   04

6360029  2Y//1▽ 420  1 1  2   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 VG during one brief section)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (but Mint- for about 99%!) 

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original Vertigo inner is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with barely any marking.  There is just one tiny scratch on S1 but it does not stand out and it isn't feelable.  Aside from that S1 is so clean with only a small number of faint hairlines and S2 is absolutely stunning!  I can only locate a couple of minor 'specks' and a handful of ultra faint hairlines that you can only see under a bright light anyway.  The iconic Vertigo labels are in superb shape with only a little spindle wear and no marking / writing.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Naked Death' plays perfectly with no intrusion and then the brief silent passage is exactly that, totally silent!  The sax solo has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks at the start and the clarity here is just stunning.  As the volume increases the audio is so strong and deep and there is no distortion either.  Meek's first powerful vocal is faultless and the quieter vocal that follows plays with sublime clarity and it continues in much the same way.  It's only during the next low key vocal that you can hear a small number of ticks / light clicks.  There are also a small number of light ticks at the beginning of the long instrumental but because it is louder here they are not intrusive.  From then on though this instrumental plays with a sonic quality that is just STUNNING!  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio could not be any more impressive and I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays!  I'm up to 10 minutes now and apart from the minor intrusion at the beginning this entire instrumental plays 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  The audio is crystal clear, every note so clean and precise and I just cannot praise it highly enough.  Wilson's guitar work is exemplary and Taylor's strong bass sound adds so much to the overall sonic 'landscape'.  13 minutes now and the playback is still perfect!  The remainder of this instrumental is on the same level and Meek's final vocal more than keeps up this high end standard.  The 'quiet' section does not even have a single dust tick.  The vast majority of this epic is Mint and it's only that one brief section that grades as VG although it's worth pointing out that this 'intrusion' is not loud in any way.  The clarity of sound throughout the rest of this 15 minute plus track is incredible!  No sign of any static anywhere.

'Tumble Weed' plays with genuine precision from the get go.  A much shorter track of course and the clarity does not falter in any way.  From start to finish there is literally no intrusion on the audio.  A vocally driven track and Meek's voice could not play any clearer - there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and Mint is very much deserved.  Even the long fade out plays with perfect clarity.

The intro on 'Promises' plays so clearly with no interference and the opening vocal is equal to that.  It continues to play with a sound quality that is second to none and it's impressive that there is zero distortion on the top end.  Meek's vocal reaches the higher register many times and yet the sonic quality does not suffer for it.  The mid instrumental is phenomenal and once again the depth and warmth of the audio is of the highest calibre.  This is exactly why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable!  They certainly knew how to produce records!  The final vocal section is more or less perfect and if there is any inner groove distortion it is so minimal and hardly worth a mention to be honest.  The end instrumental is 'as new' and overall I will grade as Mint- I believe that is a fair assessment of the audio.

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

The opus 'Embryonic Fusion' plays with stunning quality that's the first thing that needs to be said.  The intro has a couple of barely audible statics and just two very light ticks after 40 seconds.  They are quiet and very much in the background and overall this opening instrumental section could hardly play any better.  Meek's unique first vocal section plays with exceptional clarity and it continues in the same precise way.  It plays with such a 'clean' sound and the audio definition is up there with the best Vertigo pressings I have ever listened to - there is no underlying static and the sonic quality cannot be underestimated and 'as new' sums it up perfectly.  The standard does not drop and Frith's frenetic drumming combined with Meek's vocal around 14/15 minutes is a prime example of that.  The brief silent section has no intrusion and the next part is just incredible!  Starting with that deep bass sound it plays with remarkable clarity, power and depth and despite being so 'busy' the audio is as clean as ever, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound here.  Wilson's guitar work here is stunning!  The next section is quieter but again there is no intrusion on the audio and the brass sections also play so clearly without any background.  The final section is close to perfect and in all honesty the only 'intrusion' across the entire 24 minutes is one click on the fade out right at the end.  If not for that one click this would definitely grade as Mint but Near Mint is still richly deserved in my opinion.  One click on the fade out, typical!  Anyway this is still a stunning version and there cannot be many around today as 'clean' as this.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays with imperious quality with very little intrusion.  That one brief section on S1 and that one click at the end of S2 is the only interference.  Having listened to the entire album I can confidently say it's the clarity of sound that really stands out.  When I say the vast majority is 'as new' that is no exaggeration - as stated there is no background static and aside from the aforementioned interference it really does play with outstanding quality.  In conjunction with a superb cover this would grace any high end collection.  It was not pressed in high numbers so to find one playing as well this is a rarity in my opinion.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

A rare album and a rare cover in this condition!  It has been preserved so well over the last 53 years.  The top edges are perfect and only the bottom edge of the front cover has a little rubbing, not much at all.  There is even less on the bottom edge of the back cover - both have just a little more wear towards the right hand corners but it's not really an issue as you don't see when you're looking at the cover.  The wide spine is in superb condition with only a couple of white 'specks' near the bottom corner and all the corners are very clean with only minimal wear on a couple.  The opening edge is pristine, no handling wear at all.  Just look at the front cover!  It is visually stunning and has retained its full original colour with none of the fading / spotting around the edges that you so often see.  It just has one very faint mark near the top edge and a handful of tiny indents in the lower left corner.  The back cover if anything is even better!  It has barely any ringwear, just a hint near the top, and there is just one tiny 'rub' next to the bottom edge and a little wear by the two bottom corners.  The inside of the gatefold is stunning also with only a small number of minor specks.  It doesn't get much better than this and as mentioned above it has lost none of its original shape and structure.  A superb example.

The original Vertigo swirl inner (dated 0371) is in lovely condition with no side splits and just one small 'nick' on the top edge.  It is very clean with just a little age related fading around the edges and minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360029  1Y//1▽ 420  1 1  4   04

6360029  2Y//1▽ 420  1 1  2   04

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!

Fantastic! Record as Described! Excellent Packaging and Fast Overseas Shipping!

One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 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

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!