Dire Straits : Alchemy A4/B3/A1/B3 First Press

This first pressing is from a collection I purchased recently that has been so well preserved down the years and this is another that plays with stunning quality.  Pressed on the Vertigo label this has only been lightly played and that is reflected in the audio.  Again I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'correct' grading.

The clarity and definition of the audio is outstanding and there is very little interference.  In fact the most intrusive interference is on the S1 and S4 run in during the audience section prior to the actual audio and the vast majority of the 'music' plays with great clarity and depth and with no underlying static.  Most is Mint for sure!

The gatefold has also been very carefully looked after and the original black inners are in superb condition also.

Shipping costs to the US have increased recently so please wait for the invoice.  I will only send items to Italy, Russia/Eastern block & South America via tracked shipping and this will generally cost £5.00 extra.  All shipping costs are shown below.

818244  A // 4 ?  420  1 1 5 //  B // 3 ? 420  1 2 1

818245  A // 1 ?  420  1 3 1 1 //  B // 3 ? 420  1 1 1 0

The audio on S1 is Mint- (T1 audience 'intro' G then actual intro VG- due 2 clicks / T2 intro VG- same reason ) 

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T2 VG for 4/5 seconds)

The audio on S3 is Mint-

The audio on S4 is Mint- (T1 audience intro G for 3 seconds)

The gatefold is Ex+

The original black inners are Near Mint

The labels are Mint-

Play grading

S1 does have seven clicks on the audience 'intro' due to a small scratch but this is of course before the music starts.  'Once Upon A Time In The West' then plays with superb audio and barely any interference - just two light clicks on the intro.  Otherwise you cannot fault the clarity and depth of the audio, the playback really is so strong and clear and there is no underlying static at all.  'Romeo and Juliet' again has two clicks on the intro but the remainder is outstanding!  There is quite simply no 'background' of any kind and if truth be told the vast majority of this side has the clarity and definition of a recently pressed record!

S2 plays incredibly well from start to finish and the only interference is 4/5 seconds of static/couple of swish sounds on the first verse of 'Private Investigations'.  Apart from that the side plays with great clarity and depth and no other intrusion.  The classic 'Sultans Of Swing' is stunning throughout and 'as new' is no lie!

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The sonic quality on S3 is of the highest standard possible I am pleased to say.  I have listened to every second and I can confidently say that a Mint- grade is deserved as there is no interference of any kind.  No ticks, clicks, pops, static or crackle and the depth of audio is immense!  'Two Young Lovers' is superb but 'Tunnel Of Love' is that and then some!  It is a stunning rendition.

S4 also plays with genuine quality.  There are three clicks on the opening audience section again but the quiet acoustic intro on 'Telegraph Road' then plays beautifully with no intrusion.  This level of clarity is kept up as the track progresses and in all honesty I have never heard a stronger version.  The quieter passages play with such incredible precision with not even a dust tick and the louder sections also play to the same standard.  Every section plays with very impressive sonic quality and the 'high octane' fine is stunning.  A Mint- version for sure.  'Solid Rock' is of the same fantastic standard with no 'background' and the 'dead wax' between tracks just has a small number of light ticks.  'Going Home...' then plays with sublime quality and...no interference.  The quiet opening section is exceptional and once that familiar 'sound' comes in you cannot fault the playback.  A Mint version to end the album, who needs a minus!    

Visual grading

Both vinyls are in lovely condition and still have a very strong glossy sheen.  The only negative is one very small scratch at the beginning of S1 but as stated on the audio grading this is before the actual music starts.  Aside from that the records have a stunning 'look' and S3/4 in particular are stunning.  S2 is not far behind and only has a couple of faint hairlines and a couple of small minor radial lines that have no affect on the audio.  The run out grooves are very clean and the labels have no marking and only very minimal spindle wear.

The Gatefold & Inners

The cover is in excellent condition with very little wear.  The edges and wide spine are nigh on perfect and there is barely any corner wear either.  The two opening edges are immaculate and the front cover is very clean with only very minimal fading around the edges.  The back cover is the same with just one tiny mark in the lower left corner also.  The inside of the gatefold is pristine.  The original black poly-lined inners have no side splits or tears and remain in near perfect condition with only minimal creasing.

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

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 SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  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!!