Marillion : BRAVE 1st pressing 1994 A1/B1/A1/B2

This very rare classic album from '94 is in superlative condition and I have it on good authority from the previous owner that it was only played the once prior to me purchasing it.  The audio quality and lack of spindle wear confirms this.  This first pressing has the double groove on the final side providing two alternative endings.

7243 8 28032 18 // EMD 10541/2 // A-1-1-1-1 / B-1-1-1 / A-1-1-1 / B-2-1-1

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers

The audio on Side One is Near Mint-

The audio on Side Two is Ex+

The audio on Side Three is Near Mint

The audio on Side Four is Ex+

The gatefold cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original poly-lined inners are Mint

Visual grading

Both vinyls are in near pristine condition and I have never seen better on a very first pressing.  There is just one very small and barely visible mark on Side Two that has no affect on the audio.  There are no hairlines or scratches to speak of and understandably they have that stunning glossy sheen of new vinyl.

Play grading  

Side One has 2/3 clicks on the lead in grooves and the audio then plays with stunning clarity and great sonic quality.  I know there are some 'purists' out there that question the quality of these first pressings but to my ears (and on my new stereo system!) the audio is of a very high standard.  There is one pop right at the end of 'Runaway' and some faint background static that is in no way intrusive.

'Goodbye To All That' on Side Two has a little crackle for 5 seconds or so and then once again plays with excellent quality.  There are 4/5 pops across the whole track but don't let this put you off.  This was common on these pressings and the audio still plays very clearly and with barely any other interference.  'Hard As Love' is a real highlight and plays loud and with excellent resonance and with only pop.  The classic 'The Hollow Man' ends the side with only a touch of light static here and there and for such a quiet track plays extremely well.

Side Three is stunning!  There is barely any interference and any static is so much in the background as to be totally negligible.  The audio is of Near Mint standard and even 'Brave' plays with hardly any static.  This is high quality vinyl.

'The Great Escape' suite has quiet crackle at the beginning and thereafter only a minor amount of intermittent static.  I did hear 3/4 clicks towards the end.  Of course as any Marillion aficionado knows this side has a double groove and plays either 'Made Again' or 'The Great Escape (Spiral Remake)' and 7 minutes of water noise depending on where the needle is dropped.  There are a few clicks on both options but this is due to the manufacturing process and not because of any scratches.  'Made Again' remains an excellent listen and the vast majority of this track plays with wonderful quality and is a fitting (one of them!) end to this classic album. 

Gatefold cover

This iconic cover is in overall excellent condition with only very minor shelf wear.  The edges and spine are in superb shape with almost no rubbing and only the corners have a tiny amount of wear.  The front cover has a minor amount of 'spotting' mainly towards the bottom right but it is not that obvious, just a profusion of white specks really.  The inside of the gatefold is in superlative condition and the back cover only has a small amount of rubbing on the bottom left edge.  The opening edge has no handling wear whatsoever.  You won't find many first press covers better than this one, it is in great shape for 23 years old.

Poly-lined inner sleeves

The original poly-lined inners are as new with no splits or tears.

Labels

There is no spindle wear as such, just a little flaking of the centre hole on a couple of them.  This is more of a manufacturing issue than anything else.

7243 8 28032 18 // EMD 10541/2 // A-1-1-1-1 / B-1-1-1 / A-1-1-1 / B-2-1-1

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AS TOO MANY ITEMS GO MISSING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKED IN PROFESSIONAL MAILERS WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS.  THEY ARE ALSO PLACED IN SEPARATE SLEEVES AND PLACED OUTSIDE THE COVER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST.

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK AS SOON AS I RECEIVE FEEDBACK - SO I KNOW THE ITEM WAS RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT.  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be putting plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Genesis and Marillion items on the site so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!

FOR ITEMS SENT OVERSEAS I WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" ESPECIALLY FOR ITEMS SELLING OVER £40.00.  IT PROTECTS US BOTH IF ITEMS GET LOST OR DAMAGED IN THE POST AND COSTS AN EXTRA £6.00 SO PLEASE JUST ASK IF YOU WOULD PREFER THIS. 

UK POSTAGE RATES (SECOND CLASS)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra