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.

Gravy Train : Second Birth A6/B6 1st Press

This is of course their first release on the Dawn Records label after having been released from Vertigo and I am pleased to say this first pressing plays to a fantastic standard with only three light clicks on the title track.  It is worth noting these are only very minor and hardly intrusive in my opinion.  The rest of the album plays with amazing clarity, depth and power and 99% sounds like it has never been played before!  It is visually stunning and certainly has not been overplayed based on the incredible sonic quality and that there is hardly any spindle wear.  A stunning album from a prog band that were very much underrated at the time, fortunately now they are getting the recognition they deserve.

The gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original inner sleeve has only minimal creasing.

DNLS 3046 // A-6 ∆ 6 / B-6 ∆ 6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and still retains an immaculate glossy sheen with scratches.  S2 has a couple of very small minor 'specks' and there only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side.  At nearly 50 years old it could hardly look any better and the Dawn Record labels are also in superb condition with no marking/writing and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

'Morning Coming' plays with stunning audio from the very first note and the first 'melodic' vocal is faultless.  From then onwards it plays with sublime clarity and power and with a definition that belies the age of the album - already you know this record has been so well preserved down the years.  I detected just one very light tick (easily missed!) and Barratt's vocals are as usual very strong as is his mid guitar solo.  The remainder is equally as good and every 'quieter' vocal section plays with wonderful clarity and precision.  As you can tell I like this track!  I cannot praise the audio enough and this is unequivocally a Mint- start to the album.

The intro on 'Peter' plays perfectly and this high octane number continues in the same way with no interference.  Barratt's vocals are again so strong and there is just no distortion on the top end.  This one demands to be played loud!  No need for a minus here this is Mint in every way.

The acoustic intro on 'September Morning News' plays beautifully with no 'background' and this standard is kept up throughout.  A 'country' feel to this one there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and in essence is 'as new' from start to finish with no interference.  Mint

The intro and first highly charged vocal on 'Motorway' play with stunning precision and from then on plays with a sonic quality that is impressive to say the least.  The first instrumental piece is a case in point - the audio is so deep and rich and sounds as good as it would have done back in '73!  The clarity, depth and power throughout this entire classic is phenomenal and again there is no distortion.  It just could not play any better and Mint is an easy grade to give.  A fantastic finish to a fantastic side!

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'Fields And Factories' on S2 carries on S1 left off and plays with superb audio throughout.  Having played every second (as I always do) the only 'background' is one light tick approx two minutes in and a couple of minor static ticks just before the mid instrumental.  Still totally non-intrusive and the clarity, definition and power of the audio through every section cannot be underestimated.  Remember this is over 8 minutes long and the sonic quality is just stunning.  The sax solo is so clear and strong and the vocals are of course just as good.  The final 'quiet' vocal has no interference and this powerhouse of a track has to grade as Mint- it would be virtually impossible to find better.

'Strength Of A Dream' plays with exceptional clarity with not so much a dust tick.  This acoustic number can accurately be described 'as new' and I am 100% confident in grading it as Mint

The acoustic intro on 'Tolpuddle Episode' is close to perfect with only a handful of mega light dust ticks and the opening vocal then plays with immaculate precision.  There are a couple of minor ticks after the first chorus but is obviously not intrusive and from then on plays with outstanding clarity and depth.  This track has a number of quiet sections and yet they all play beautifully with basically no interference and once again Mint- is deserved.  A stunning version.

The intro and first vocal on 'Second Birth' have no 'background' and Barratt's first 'highly charged' vocal is equally as strong.  The following instrumental section has one dull sounding light click and from then on plays so well and with barely any intrusion.  There are a couple of very light clicks during one of Barratt's vocals but because the audio is so loud here they really are not that noticeable.  The following instrumental plays with impeccable quality with only a minor amount of inner groove distortion on the guitar and the 'choral' vocals are very clean indeed.  The final section plays perfectly with no interference and the fade out has no 'background' either.  I will grade this classic as Near Mint- because the three clicks are very quiet and barely intrusive.  This is still a STUNNING version with no underlying static just like all the other tracks!

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays with stunning audio across both sides and the only 'interference' is three light clicks on the final track which do not really intrude on the quality of the listen in my opinion.  The vinyl has lost none of its original sonic quality and it is patently obvious it has hardly been played.  This is without doubt the finest version of this first pressing I have ever played and will add to any 'high end' collection.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with not very much shelf wear.  The edges have only very minimal rubbing and the wide spine is very clean with a few very minor indents and just a little wear on the bottom corner.  The other corners are in superb order with barely any wear although the opening edge does have some handling wear but only on the back edge.  The front cover is in great shape with only a couple of minor specks plus a small corner crease bottom left and the back cover is just as impressive with just one tiny scuff and a hint of ringwear near the top.  The inside of the gatefold is lovely with no marking at all.  An excellent example overall when you consider it isn't laminated.

The original paper inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears just some light 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

DNLS 3046 // A-6 ∆ 6 / B-6 ∆ 6

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 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!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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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

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