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Gracious : Gracious! 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press 1970

This first pressing plays with superb clarity and depth on both sides with only one light click on S1!  In a sense this is not surprising because the vinyl is visually stunning with no marking etc and has barely any spindle wear.  This is a record that has only been lightly played and incredibly well preserved over the last 50+ years.  The vast majority is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration, the playback is exceptional.

As can be seen this is one of earliest first pressings.  It does not get much earlier than 111/121!

The textured gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minimal wear and the original swirl inner is super clean and has not been removed from the cover very many times I would say.  A stunning 'package' overall.

6360002  1Y // 1 ▽  420  1 1 1

6360001   2Y // 1 ▽  420  1 2 1

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

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 ranges between Near Mint and Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original swirl inner is Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can I find a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  S2 has one very small hairline that is just a little more obvious but it is still faint and you only see if you look closely!  There is no groove wear, only very minimal spindle wear and it is clear this vinyl has only been lightly played.  The run out grooves are pristine and the Vertigo labels are in superb condition with no marking.  So as to be 'complete' in my grading the vinyl does have a very minor 'bowl' shape but it is certainly not easy to spot.  You do not notice it when it is being played, it appears perfectly flat, and to be honest even 'bowl' may be too harsh a description.  More a very gentle uplift of the outside edge.

Play grading  

'Introduction' on S1 is close to perfect from start to finish.  There is just one light click during the first harpsichord section and a couple of ticks near the end but that is the only intrusion on the audio.  Not that intrusive though!  The clarity is so impressive and it is clear this vinyl has hardly been played.  I will grade as Near Mint- but the vast majority is certainly better than that!

The intro on 'Heaven' is faultless and the first 'quiet' organ section plays beautifully with no 'background' at all.  It is stunning!  As the volume increases I detected a couple of very minor static sounds but this entire guitar section plays with great quality it has to be said.  The 'acoustic' piece is 'as new' and the vocal section is of the same 'high end' standard.  In essence there is no interference and it continues to play with sublime clarity and definition.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the high octane end section does not disappoint either.  I believe a Mint- grade is deserved here.

The piano intro on 'Hell' plays perfectly and the next instrumental section also plays with amazing clarity with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks - remember this section is very quiet for the majority!  As it builds there is no let up in quality and this is just audio of the highest quality and it continues in the same precise way with tremendous power and depth during the foreboding louder passage.  The 'vocal' section has just a hint of light static at the start and the vaudeville section then plays with incredible precision as does the remainder of this epic track.  Once again I think Mint- is an honest assessment of the audio.

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The intro on 'Fugue In 'D' Minor' plays with great clarity and only a hint of barely audible static for the first 4/5 seconds, it is hardly worth mentioning!  From then on the audio is flawless with each note playing with impeccable clarity and precision.  This is a Mint- version with no intrusion on the audio.  I am perhaps being a little critical by including the minus!

'The Dream' plays with stunning power at the start and the well known piano section plays so clearly with no intrusion.  From then on this opus plays with stunning quality that can only mean it has hardly been played.  You do not get sonic quality such as this from a heavily played vinyl.  The 'spoken' section is faultless as is the next vocal and that pretty much applies to the entire track.  I cannot adequately put into words just how 'complete' the audio is and throughout the entire playback I heard only one light tick.  It continues to play with supreme power and depth and only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion here and there but in my opinion it is insignificant and does not detract from the stunning quality of the audio.  The quiet piano 'piece' towards the end is 'as new' and the final 'Goodnight' vocal is of the same standard.  The high octane end section is mind-blowing!  It is so powerful and you cannot fault the clarity either - no distortion whatsoever.  It is a stunning finale.  I will grade this as ranging between Near Mint and Mint- but lots more of the latter!

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a fantastic standard with barely any interference.  One light click that's about it!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and you would be hard pressed to find a better version than this.  As stated the vinyl is visually stunning and that is reflected in the sonic quality on offer here.  I am selling various rare Vertigo pressings and this is certainly up there with the best of them.  A true collectors item.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have a little rubbing but there is nothing that stands out and the spine remains very strong and 100% legible but with some light marking.  Overall the corners are very clean with only minimal wear and the opening edge has some handling wear but not an excessive amount.  The front cover is very clean when you consider how white it is and has only a few minor specks and the back cover is the same.  The inside of the gatefold is in lovely condition with only a couple of very small faint marks.  A fine example overall.

The original swirl inner (dated 0470) is in superb shape with no side splits or tears, no marking and barely any creasing.  It is one of the best I have seen!

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

6360002  1Y // 1 ▽  420  1 1 1

6360001   2Y // 1 ▽  420  1 2 1

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

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 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 WILL 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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 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!