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.

Freedom : Freedom Is More Than A Word 1Y1 / 2Y2 1st Vertigo Press 1972

This genuine first pressing plays with stunning quality for the vast majority.  There is very little background and the S2 intro has some 'interference' which does not last long anyway - some static ticks mainly at the beginning.  Aside from that the audio is superb and the clarity and depth is so impressive for this very collectable Vertigo pressing.  The vinyl itself is visually stunning and clearly has not been played very much.

The cover has only minimal wear as detailed below - the main issue is a little bit of writing on the inside cover.  The original Vertigo inner sleeve is in superb condition.

As this is a first pressing it has the 1Y1/2Y2 matrix and it has a die-cut 'window' cover.  It certainly wasn't pressed in vast numbers and this as you can see is one of the earliest - 113 / 112

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The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 & T2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro VG+ then Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

This vinyl is in lovely condition and still retains a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  It looks hardly played and still has a couple of vinyl flecks around the S2 label.  Even when I look under a bright light I cannot see any obvious hairlines it truly has been so well preserved.  There is obviously no groove wear and the run out grooves are super clean also.  The iconic Vertigo labels are close to perfect with only very minimal and faint spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Together' plays very clearly with only a handful of statics and the opening vocal section is perfect.  The mid instrumental piece plays with stunning clarity and the next vocal has only a couple of light statics.  The remainder plays without fault and it has to be said that the vast majority of this opening track plays to a very high standard.  I believe Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'Miss Little Louise' has only 4/5 very quiet background ticks and the first vocal is close to perfect with just one minor static.  From then on it plays so well with literally nothing getting in the way of the audio - the mid instrumental is superb and the final vocal is just as impressive.  Near Mint- again.

The intro on 'Sweaty Feet' is 'as new' and the opening vocal is equal to that.  The guitar solo section is stunning, the audio is so strong and powerful and there is no distortion.  It continues in the same precise way and I cannot find fault, the sonic quality is superb!  This is Mint from start to finish.

'Brainbox Jam' plays with exceptional quality through every instrumental section, I can't overstate strong and clear the audio is.  It isn't a loud track and yet the clarity of sound is STUNNING - there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  The end sequence is very quiet of course and yet there is no background at all.  In essence it plays 'as new' and Mint is very much deserved.  The final two tracks sound like they have never been played before!

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The piano intro on 'Direction' has some static ticks but still plays clearly with no other intrusion.  The opening vocal section has the odd intermittent static sound but they are relatively quiet.  The momentary 'silence' has one obvious static and the instrumental passage then plays with great quality, there are only a couple of very quiet statics.  The next piano piece is close to perfect with just one static sound and the following guitar solo plays with stunning quality and no no intrusion and the fade out has no background at all.  Quite difficult to grade in a way.  I'll say the intro is VG+ and Ex+ from then onwards.

The 'heavier' 'Going Down' plays with stunning quality throughout.  The intro is faultless and the same applies to the first vocal.  It continues to play loud and true with zero interference and I heard just one very faint tick during the instrumental section.  This is a stunning version and Mint- is richly deserved.

The very quiet piano intro on 'Dream' plays with outstanding clarity and the opening vocal is just as clean.  From then on it plays with incredible clarity and warmth, I cannot compliment it highly enough.  With only a couple of barely audible statics I will grade as Mint- although I'm not sure the minus is required!

The gentle piano intro on 'Ladybird' is 'as new' and the opening is just as impressive.  This sonic quality is kept up as it progresses - another track with a number of quiet sections and yet they all play with such clinical precision i.e. there is no background.  I've played it twice now and it just gets better!  Every section plays with sublime audio, every note so clean and precise, and the fade out also plays to perfection.  A stunning Mint end to the album.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal intrusion, the most obvious of which are some statics on the first track intro of S2.  It does not last long and it's not that intrusive as they are sporadic.  The rest of the album is superb!  A handful of light statics on S1, first two tracks, but they are not intrusive and as you can see from my audio grading five tracks grade as Mint- or Mint.  Very impressive audio overall.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner

The cover is in excellent condition overall and still holds its original shape and structure perfectly.  The only real 'wear' is the remnants of a small sticker in the top left corner and a little writing on the inside of the gatefold.  Aside from that it is very impressive.  The edges have only light rubbing and the wide spine just has a few small 'rubs' and a little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge has a little handling wear.  The front cover is very clean (just that small sticker mark) and the die-cut window is in superb condition with only the tiniest hint of rubbing on the right edge, hardly worth mentioning.  The back cover is in great shape also with only a couple of specks and minor wear on the corners visible.  The inside of the gatefold is incredibly clean apart from that small area of writing of course, perhaps it could be removed.

The original poly-lined Vertigo inner is in fantastic condition with no marking and only minimal creasing, it is one of the best I have seen.

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

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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

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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++++

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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!!