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.

Deep Purple : In Rock A2/B1 1st Press No EMI

This first pressing plays to a superb standard with barely any intrusion, just one light click on S1!  The clarity, depth and power is up there with the best I have heard and S1 in particular plays with stunning audio.  The classic 'Child In Time' is a genuine highlight and is one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard.  The vinyl is also visually stunning with no marks or scratches, it would be difficult to find a better one.

The laminated gatefold is in excellent condition with only minimal wear - this is quite a flimsy cover I find but this one has maintained its shape and structure very well, it cannot have been handled very much.  The original Harvest inner is also in great condition.

There was an A1/B1 version pressed but only in very limited numbers.  Discogs says 1 in 20 but I beg to differ as I have never seen one!  The A2/B1 matrix is known as a first pressing and has no EMI logo on the labels.  This is a stunning example!

SHVL 777 // A - 2 / B - 1 // HP 2 / TD 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T1 Mint-)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint-

The original Harvest inner is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can I see a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines but nothing obvious.  There is no groove wear or dulling of the surface and only minimal fading around the S1 run off.  The yellow/green Harvest labels are in super clean with no marking / writing and only a little spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2.

Play grading  

The high octane intro on 'Speed King' provides a stunning start to the album.  It is so powerful and has no interference or distiortion at all.  Lord's quieter section for once plays with incredible clarity - a rarity as this passage so often has a fair amount of static/crackle.  Then we get going!  Gillan's opening vocal is faultless as is Blackmore's accompaniment and it continues to play with exceptional quality.  Sublime clarity during Lord's next instrumental and great power and definition when needed during the 'heavier' moments, the sonic quality is just phenomenal!  The final vocal is as good as the first and there is only a minimal touch of static distortion on the last 3/4 seconds.  This is without doubt a Mint- start to the album.

'Bloodsucker' plays with same intensity and depth and again the audio is so deep, strong and clear.  There are no negatives - from start to finish there is no interference.  This is one you can certainly turn up to max without having to turn it down immediately!  Every vocal and instrumental section is as 'fresh' as it would have been when first pressed 53 years ago and the extended instrumental / 'vocal' is a prime example of that, the playback is STUNNING and the fade out does not have even have one dust tick.  This album so often has a 'muddied' sound quality but there is none of that here, not one iota, and this truly is audio of the highest calibre.  This is Mint in every sense of the word.  Wow!

The quiet into on the classic 'Child In Time' is so close to perfect with just one light click after 40 seconds or so and then the opening vocal plays with near perfect clarity.  I detected just a minor touch of distortion on a couple of notes but you may not even notice it.  As the track / Gillan's vocal builds the audio is so strong and there is only very minimal distortion on the top end.  The percussive section is 'as new' as is Blackmore's following solo section.  This entire section is breathtaking!  Rarely have I heard it play with such precision, it is so good!  Demands to be turned up beyond 11!!  As it reaches a crescendo the playback could not be any better and then the next quieter passage plays with stunning precision including Gillan's next vocal.  This is why we listen to vinyl!  As it builds once more the sonic quality is outstanding and there is barely any distortion despite being nearer the end.  The end section is again so powerful and the crescendo is 'as new' without question and the final 'quiet' few seconds have no 'background' either.  I truly believe this is the finest version of this classic that I have ever encountered and Near Mint- is an honest assessment of the audio.  If I have heard better I cannot remember when!

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

The intro on 'Flight Of The Rat' is faultless and the opening verses are of the same standard.  It's the clarity of sound that once again stands out as there is no 'muddiness' whatsoever.  Pure perfect Mint- audio in other words.  It continues to play with sublime quality with no ticks, clicks or pops - no interference.  The instrumental sections are 'as new' and the mid instrumental just could not play any better.  There is literally nothing that detracts from the 'as new' audio and the brief 'silence' at the end of this passage is exactly that, totally silent.  Gillan's final vocal is perfect and percussive end section equally so.  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint no need for a minus here.  The definitive version.

As many Purple fans will testify S2 does not play with the same level of clarity as per S1 and whilst the first track is the exception to the rule the audio on 'Into The Fire' is not quite as 'clean'.   Don't get me wrong it still plays extremely well with no interference but there is an almost deeper 'feel' to the overall sound.  This I am sure is due to how it was recorded/pressed and in a way should not be downgraded as a result.  The clarity is still very impressive and the playback is so much better than on a record that has been heavily played.  Just not quite as Mint as the other tracks, just being honest!  Let's say Near Mint

'Living Wreck' is of the same standard with no intrusion on the audio.  A perfect percussive intro and then very clear audio for the remainder.  I am perhaps being a little too self-critical but I just prefer to be 100% 'complete' in my grading.  Each note is still sharp and precise but again Near Mint is fair.

The intro on 'Hard Lovin' Man' has a stunning clarity of sound and then as Blackmore's familiar riff kicks in the quality does not diminish.  The opening vocal has no 'background' and thereafter plays with supreme power and depth albeit perhaps not quite on the same level as the first track but not far behind!  Lord's mid instrumental is in fact superb and really could not play with any greater precision and the same applies for the solo from Blackmore that follows.  The final vocal and instrumental section play with great distinction and what is impressive about this side is that there is no distortion at all.  A Near Mint finish to a superb album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard you rarely find today.  With barely any interference, just one light click, the clarity, depth and power of the music is superb.  S1 in particular is STUNNING and S2 is not far behind - as described the final three tracks do not have quite the same clarity of sound but that is well documented and like I say there is no actual interference.  You would be hard pressed to find a better one in my humble opinion and as always I endeavour to grade accurately as my feedback will testify.  A superb album in so many ways.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated G & L cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges are very clean and there are only four small rub marks on the bottom edge of the back cover near the right corner.  The wide spine is in superb shape with barely any compression and has just one small mark near the top and remains 100% legible.  It has very little wear on the corners and the right hand corners are also very clean with barely any wear.  The opening edge is pristine.  The front cover has a couple of minor specks near the top edge plus a crease line top right and this is due to it being slightly out of alignment with the panel behind.  This is a two-piece cover and clearly wasn't put together 100% accurately, it is only very minor though.  The laminate itself is in superb condition with only one small crease next to the opening edge.  The back cover is in superb order with no obvious wear and the inside of the gatefold is super clean also.  The inner spine is so often damaged but this is in great shape with barely any of the marking that you regularly find at the foot.  It's difficult to decide between Ex and Ex+ so I will say Ex :-)

The original poly-lined Harvest inner has no side splits or tears, only minimal creasing and very little age related fading around the edges.  A superb example.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

SHVL 777 // A - 2 / B - 1 // HP 2 / TD 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

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 MAY 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 : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 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!