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Procul Harum : Grand Hotel A-2 / B-2 1st Press w/ Booklet 1973

The first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides and the only interference as such is for 3/4 seconds on 'Fires (Which Burn Brightly)' on S2.  Aside from that the clarity and definition of the audio is high end and the depth of sound also is so impressive.  This is clearly a record that has hardly been played based on the audio, zero spindle wear and the stunning visual 'look' of the vinyl.

The gatefold for once is still in excellent condition and it comes complete with the original 24 page lyric booklet which is in superb shape.  The original inner sleeve is also in excellent condition.

CHR 1037 // A - 2 / B - 2 // GD 1 / GG 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint+ / T3 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T4 VG for 3/4 seconds / T5 Near Mint)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The 24 page booklet is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  It is so clean I can only see a handful of very faint hairlines and whilst S1 has a faint scuff line you can only see it when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle under a bright light, it is very faint.  The Chrysalis labels are in perfect condition with no spindle wear.

Play grading  

The piano intro on 'Grand Hotel' plays so clearly with barely any background, no ticks or clicks, and Brooker's opening vocal is perfect.  As the volume increases the playback is just as strong and it continues in the same way - the orchestral / choral instrumental plays with stunning clarity with only a couple of barely audible statics and the final verse is so close to perfect with only a couple of minor static ticks on the last two lines, not intrusive in any way.  What you really notice throughout the entire track is the sheer depth and power of the music it really does play so well.  I will say Near Mint+ but the vast majority is certainly better than that.

The intro on 'Toujours L'Amour' is faultless and the opening two verse have no intrusion either.  The first guitar solo plays with sublime precision and the remainder is of the same high end standard.  The sonic quality is superb.  This is Mint in every way.

The piano intro on 'A Rum Tale' has only a minimal touch of very light static and the opening vocal is very clean with only a couple of minor ticks.  The second verse plays with great clarity, a couple of minor statics only, and then the instrumental plays perfectly.  The final vocal has no interference and overall I would say Near Mint is a fair assessment of the audio.

The intro on 'T.V. Ceasar' is 'as new' and the Brooker's first vocal is equal to that.  From that point on every vocal and instrumental section plays with phenomenal quality and there is zero intrusion on the audio.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static.  There is perhaps just a hint of inner groove distortion but it is so so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  Don't know why I am mentioning it really!  A superb Mint- version.

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'A Souvenir Of London' plays with superb audio from the very note.  The intro is perfect and the opening has no intrusion either.  This clarity of sound continues through the rest of the track and 'as new' kind of describes it well.  Mint

The 'percussive' intro on 'Bringing Home The Bacon' could not play any better and that applies to the entire track!  The sonic quality here is so impressive and the instrumental sections in particular are off the scale!  Every verse plays with such clean audio and again I am confident in grading this as Mint such is the quality.

One click in the dead wax and then the intro on 'For Liquorice John' plays perfectly as does the first vocal section.  It continues to play with unrivalled quality and precision.  There are no negatives here the definition and resonance of the audio is just superb and you could not find a more 'complete' version.  The first fade out and then the second have no intrusion at all, a measure of the clarity on offer here.  A STUNNING Mint version.

The piano intro on 'Fires (Which Burn Brightly)' plays with exceptional clarity with only a couple of barely audible statics and the opening vocal is perfect.  There are a couple of light ticks and a couple of dull clicks sounds in the instrumental section that follows but the next verse is 'as new' as is the next instrumental.  The final verse has no intrusion and the end section is superb!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio during this 'vocal' section is so impressive and the entire sequence is flawless.  Difficult to grade in a way because the vast majority is 'as new' so I will say VG for that one brief passage and Mint for the rest of the track.

'Robert's Box' plays with phenomenal quality with no sign of any interference.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static and only minimal inner groove distortion.  I will say Near Mint overall but a fine end to a very clean album.

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning quality and the only real intrusion is that brief section during the penultimate track on S2.  Aside from that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard and this is clearly a record that has not been played very much.  In conjunction with a superb gatefold and lyric booklet this will add to any collection.

The Gatefold, Lyric Booklet & Inner Sleeve

This cover is so often found in poor condition but this one has been very well preserved and still has its original shape and structure.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the spine is also in great condition and remains 100% legible.  The corners are very clean with only very minimal wear and the opening edge is nigh on perfect with only a couple of tiny crimps.  The front cover is super clean with only very faint fingerprinting near the right edge and the back cover is unmarked apart from a handful of faint score lines.  The inside of the gatefold is in great shape with only a couple of faint marks on the right panel.  A fine example overall.

The lyric booklet is fully intact and is unmarked and has very minimal creasing on the front and back cover.  The original plain white die-cut inner has just a little age related fading around the edges and some light creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

CHR 1037 // A - 2 / B - 2 // GD 1 / GG 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.

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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