Egg : The Polite Force 1st Stereo Press 1W / 1W

This first pressing from the progressive 'Egg' is just stunning!  It plays 'as new' on both sides and the clarity and depth of the recording is exceptional.  It is so hard to believe this record is 50 years of age such is the amazing quality of the audio!  This has hardly been played!

Based on Decca's matrix system you can also see it is one of the earliest first pressings with a single stamper on each side.  What a fantastic record, you will not find audio as superb as this on any other pressing, and that is not a sales technique I often use but it is genuinely true in this instance!

The cover is in excellent condition with no marking and the original stereo inner is also in great order with no side splits.

Please wait for the invoice before making payment as this may have to be sent via tracked shipping, conditions below.

SML 1074 // ZAL 10066.P-1W / ZAL 10067.P-1W // C1 / U1

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The cover is Ex

The labels are Mint

The stereo inner sleeve is Ex+

The visual quality of this vinyl cannot be underestimated.  It has been so well preserved over the decades and as stated has hardly ever been played.  It has the most stunning mirror-like glossy sheen that you could ever wish to see and there are no marks, scratches or hairlines.  In essence it is visually perfect which is pretty much like the audio!  With barely any spindle wear this is a super clean first pressing and the run out grooves and labels are also in beautiful condition.

Play grading

S1 plays with stunning quality from start to finish.  'A Visit To Newport Hospital' is a prime example of a vinyl that has been so well looked after down the years and Mint is an honest assessment of the breathtaking audio.  There is not so much as a dust tick and there are certainly no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Sheer audio perfection!  'Contrasong' and 'Boilk' are of the same impressive standard and the clarity and depth is just astounding.  It is so rare to find a vintage first press of 50 years playing with such precision.  The 'water effect' intro on the latter is crystal clear and plays as well as it did when first released in '70 and the same applies to the remainder of the track.  So quiet and yet no 'background' of any kind.  Having played every second I can confidently say the entire side plays with unrivalled Mint audio.  There is impressive clarity and then there is clarity such as this, the audio is IMMACULATE!  Wow!!

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Every 'part' of 'Long Piece No. 3' plays with incredible clarity and again I cannot believe what I hearing!  This is as 'fresh' as the day when it was first released in 1970 no exaggeration.  Only 'Part One' has one light crackle sound but aside from that the playback is 'as new' you could not wish to find greater clarity.  They really were accomplished musicians as the time signatures exemplify and the variety of sound they got from relatively few instruments is very impressive.  Apart from the exceptional clarity what stands out here is the depth of the music, there is such a strong and deep sound.  The quieter sections, and there are many, play beautifully with no 'background and there is no inner groove distortion as you approach the end.  Apart from the one millisecond crackle sound (!) this is Mint in every sense of the word.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album is sensational from start to finish.  I never knowingly over-grade my items and any 'Egg' collector I am positive would be blown away by the audio quality on offer here.  There are no clicks, pops or static and just the one minor crackle sound.  The definition and sonic quality could not be any better.

The Cover

The 'Robert Stace' Clarifoil cover is in excellent condition with minimal shelf wear.  The edges and spine have no rubbing or marking and are 'as new' and the corners have barely any wear which is a rarity.  The opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is in superb order with nno marking and only a tiny amount of laminate lift next to the spine and a couple of very minor creases next to the spine also.  The back cover is super clean with only a hint of mild fading around the edges and the only 'obvious' wear is a slightly wavy look to it as if it has been damp at some point.  This also gives the opening edge a couple of wavy points also.  This is only minor really and overall the cover is very clean indeed.

The Labels

The orange/white Deram labels are 'as new' with no marking or writing and only a couple of mega faint spindle traces.  Superb!  They have not lost any of their original colour.  The JT tax code can clearly be seen on each run out groove also.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Stereo sleeve is in lovely condition with no side splits, very little age related fading and only minimal creasing.

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

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 : £5.45 (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 : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 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!!