QUEEN, A DAY AT THE RACES, MINT- 1977 UK EMI, EARLIEST 1U/1U 1st PRESS

	£		21
	$		28

betsy50 Store

It's my pleasure to offer for auction an outstanding barely-played copy of Queen's brilliant studio album titled “A Day At The Races”, Catalogue Number EMTC 104. It's a 1976 UK EMI 1st pressing with a Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the original thick card picture inner sleeve which has rounded corners. [The stamped matrix numbers are the earliest YAX 5245-1U and YAX 5246-1U. "STERLING" is stamped in the run-outs, indicating that the mastering was carried out at New York's Sterling Studios].

The sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear and a few minor creases. It's a beautiful example which should please most collectors. I've included plenty of photos which hopefully do it justice.

The top quality mid-weight record is in MINT- condition. The EMI labels are like new with only a few faint spindle traces each side. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays on a top quality deck. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. It really is a top-playing copy!

The picture inner sleeve is in unmarked MINT- condition. 

Overall this is a beautiful copy which 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 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 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 Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £50 value - £12.00

Europe over £50 value - £14.60

Worldwide up to £50 value - £16.80

Worldwide over £50 value - £19.40

Apologies for the high cost of postage. This is due to a recent rise in Royal Mail charges and Ebay's decision to charge 10% commission on postage (which seems very unfair to me)