JOHN LENNON IMAGINE 1971 UK APPLE 1U/1U 1st PRESS SUPERB & COMPLETE TOP COPY!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

On offer here is a superb copy of John Lennon's iconic second studio album titled "Imagine", Catalogue Number PAS 10004. It's a 1971 UK stereo first pressing on the Apple record label, with a first issue fully-laminated sleeve, Printed in England. It comes complete with the original lyrics/credits inner sleeve, pig postcard and ultra rare textured fold-out poster. [The sleeve is the earliest design with crimped spine ends. The record matrix numbers are the earliest YEX 865-1U and YEX 866-1U. "PORKY" and "PECKO" are etched in the run-outs of Sides 1 and 2 respectively indicating the work of the master cutting engineer George "Porky" Peckham. The fold-out poster is printed on textured paper rather than smooth, which I've never seen before].

The laminated sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear and a few tiny creases near the edges. The front and back covers are unmarked and retain their original glossy shine. The spine (with crimped ends) is solid with perfect text. It's a beautiful example of this most iconic of sleeves which will be very difficult to improve upon. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record retains its original lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. It is in EX(+) condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever upon the audio playback. The Apple labels are like new with just a few faint spindle traces near the centres. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is crystal clear, full-bodied and dynamic as you would expect from a record cut by George Peckham. It's a while since I've listened to first pressing of Imagine and I had forgotten how wonderful they can sound. This really is a top playing copy which will not disappoint.

The lyric/credits inner sleeve has some minor age discoloration and a few little creases, but no seam splits or tears.

The fold-out poster is in excellent unmarked condition. It's printed on textured paper which I've never seen before as nearly all are smooth.

The pig postcard is in excellent unmarked condition.
 

Overall this is a superb and complete first pressing of John Lennon's most iconic album which plays flawlessly. It will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50