The Greatest Show On Earth : Horizons A1/B2 1st Press no EMI 

This first pressing on the Harvest label plays to a wonderful standard with no ticks, clicks or pops.  The clarity and depth of the recording on both sides is truly exceptional and this is a FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic in my opinion.  There is some spindle wear but it can only have been played on 'high end' equipment such is the sonic quality on offer here.  It is also visually very impressive and has clearly been so well looked after over the last 50+ years.

The laminated gatefold is in superb condition with no obvious wear and the original Harvest inner is also in excellent order.

As this is a first pressing there is no EMI logo on the labels.  Not only that but this is one of the first off the production line as it has the first known stampers for this album, G and R.  G being the holy grail of stampers of course!

SHVL 769 // A-1 / B-2 // G 1 / R 1

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

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The labels are Ex+

The original inner is Ex-

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of very faint sleve removal hairlines.  There is some spindle wear but this just goes to show how carefully the record has been handled down the years.  It really is in great condition for 50+ years old!  The run out grooves are very clean and the labels have no marking or writing just some spindle wear as stated.

Play grading  

From the outset 'Sunflower Morning' plays with stunning clarity.  The intro has hardly any static, close to zero in fact, and the first vocal is so 'clean' with no 'background' at all.  It continues to play with wonderful quality and there are no clicks or pops.  The more up tempo chorus sections are 'as new' and the mid guitar solo is very impressive.  The final section again plays with great clarity and in essence there is nothing that intrudes on the quality of the music from start to finish.  A handful of mega quiet static ticks that is all and Near Mint is a correct assessment of the audio.

'Angelina' is superb!  It plays with great clarity throughout and the 'louder' moments play with remarkable precision and power.  The brass section is stunning!  You cannot fault the sonic quality and the only 'interference' are a couple of light ticks on the fade out.  This still deserves a Mint- in my opinion.

The long intro on 'Skylight Man' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks, the clarity is outstanding.  The first vocal is faultless and from then on it plays to a fantastic standard.  There is so much to like!  There is no intrusion on the audio and the 'tick-tock' section is a case in point - the clarity is amazing when you consider this record is now over 50 years old.  The closing section is sublime - there is a genuine sense of depth and power here.  This is Mint- from start to finish.

The intro on 'Day Of The Lady' plays beautifully with only a small number of insignificant dust ticks that you hardly hear anyway.  As the vocal comes in there is no decrease in quality and it continues in the same precise way.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with stunning quality and Mint- is again fully deserved.

'Real Cool World' is superb from the get go - a 'high octane' start and yet there is no inner groove distortion.  The first chorus is equally as good and it continues to impress with a sonic quality that you rarely find on this first pressing.  The more I play it the more I can't believe what I am listening to!  The mid instrumental is so dynamic and strong and it's worth noting there is still no distortion.  This truly is a stunning version and it plays just as well to the final note.  A breathtaking Mint- end to the side.

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The intro on 'I Fought For Love' provides more evidence of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  It is a Mint start with audio so deep and strong and it's rare for the opening grooves on any record of this age to be so impressive.  The first vocal section has only a couple of dust ticks and as tempo increases there is no let up in quality.  The mid solo again plays with incredible depth and power and right to the final note there is no interference.  Even the closing vocal only section has literally no 'background'.  This is Mint no minus is necessary!

The intro on 'Horizons' has only a minimal touch of mega quiet static but as you would expect this is totally non-intrusive - it really is so quiet.  It proceeds to play with imperious quality and the percussive section around the three minute mark is 'as new' but then that could be said for the entire track really!  This has to be the most immaculate version I have ever heard, the clarity and definition of the music is just another level.  Not one tick, click or pop, no crackle and no other underlying static either.  I cannot put into words just how fantastic the audio is - it could not play any better that is perhaps the best way of putting it!  Every section is faultless - the louder sections play with supreme power and no distortion and the quieter sections play with such delicate precision.  An epic instrumental running at nearly 14 minutes that impresses on every level.  I would grade the intro as Near Mint and the remainder as Mint- it is that good.

The acoustic intro on 'Again And Again' plays beautifully and the quiet opening vocal is also flawless, another Mint start.  It continues to play with great quality and with only a minimal amount of inner groove distortion during the chorus sections.  I only mention this to be 'complete' in my grading as I mention any 'imperfection' even if minor.  It is just what you expect to find on any final track and is totally inconsequential in my opinion.  I am probably doing myself a disservice by mentioning but as my regular customers know I am 100% honest in my grading.  Don't get me wrong this is still a STUNNING version and there is no interference from the opening groove to the last.  A Mint- end to this underrated album.

In summary this first pressing plays to a sublime standard and as stated is a FINAL UPGRADE version in my opinion.  There is just no real interference on either side, you really cannot fault the clarity and depth of the music.  It may have been played a number of times but it has certainly not lost any of its original quality and would I am sure impress any audiophile.  Together with a stunning cover this is a genuine collectors' piece.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated Hipgnosis cover is in fantastic condition with no noticeable shelf wear.  The edges and wide spine are in perfect order and the corners are also super clean.  Only the top corner of the spine has just one small 'rub' and the other corners are near perfect.  The opening edge looks untouched and is pristine.  The front cover is unmarked and really is in beautiful condition and the back cover is just as good really with only a handful of very small and faint laminate creases.  The inside is immaculate and the only 'fault' is a crease line on the right panel just to the left of the spine.  A common thing with gatefolds and can't really be classed as 'shelf wear'.  This really is an exceptional cover and has been very carefully looked after down the years.  Near Mint for sure.

The original Harvest inner has no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  It does have some age related fading around the edges and some ringwear also.  It isn't poly-lined but I'm not sure if they all were.

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

SHVL 769 // A-1 / B-2 // G 1 / R 1

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.

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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 : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

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