QUEEN A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 2/2 1st PRESS 1975 AMAZING CLEAN COVER & SUPERB AUDIO
£
113
$
150
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Description
QUEEN : A Night At The Opera 2/2 1st Pressing
This genuine first press plays with stunning quality and has only minimal interference as detailed below. The vast majority is Mint and nowhere is that more in evidence than on the classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' which plays a rare sonic quality and is stunning from start to finish.
The gatefold is also one of the finest you are ever likely to find, it is so clean and white! Just one tiny rub on one edge but otherwise near perfect. The original picture inner just has the common bottom edge but it is a small one.
As this is a genuine first press it has a 2/2 matrix and Blair's is etched into the run out grooves as opposed to Mr. Blair's Cut on later pressings.
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-2 // TG 1 / RHH 4 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint / Mint- but VG- for 3/4 seconds at the end / T2 intro Ex- )
The gatefold is Near Mint-
The picture inner is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in lovely condition with a very strong glossy sheen and only on close inspection can I find 3/4 very faint hairlines on each side, they are difficult to find! There are no marks or scratches and visually this is a stunning example. The run out grooves are spotless and whilst there is a little spindle wear there is not an excessive amount and this is confirmed by the audio quality. The labels are also very clean with no marking or writing.
Play grading
The piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' is so close to perfect with only a minor touch of light static for one/two seconds right at the start . There is no 'background' as the volume increases and as the track 'properly' begins the audio is faultless. It continues to play with breathtaking power and clarity to the end with not so much as a dust tick. A truly stunning Mint- start to the side and none of the original 'menace' is lost on this version!
'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' shows once again how well this vinyl has been looked after and plays with wonderful clarity from start to finish with no intrusion. I will grade as Mint- as I detect a couple of barely audible dust ticks!
The classic 'I'm In Love With My Car' plays with stunning power and depth and barely any interference. I did hear a couple of faint clicks but they are very much in the background and really not that intrusive. It has to be said 99% is 'as new' but I will grade as Ex+ just to be on the safe side.
'You're My Best Friend' has only a couple of light static ticks on the intro and then plays great precision for the remainder. There is just no interference whatsoever and Mint- is very much deserved.
The acoustic intro on '39' for once plays perfectly and this continues into the first vocal and beyond. The clarity is again exceptional with each note being so clean and precise. No clicks or pops and no underlying static either. Mint
'Sweet Lady' plays with that familiar dynamic power and again...not one iota of interference. It can also be turned up to max with no fear of distortion also. Not perhaps a fan favourite but it does nonetheless grade as Mint
'Seaside Rendezvous' always has some inner groove distortion (it cannot be avoided) and it is just a matter of how much. I am pleased to say this is one of the finest versions I have heard and remember this is a 2/2 first pressing! This provides further evidence of a vinyl only lightly played and there is only very minimal distortion here. I would say this is a Mint- end to the side.
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The very quiet 'wind' intro on 'The Prophet's Song' plays with such impressive clarity and we all know how rare that is! The acoustic section then plays beautifully with no 'background' and the opening vocal sections are equally as good. It continues to play with great power and definition and NO interference. The acapella 'Now I know/la la' section is almost as good as it would have been back in '75 with just one click towards the end. As Brian's classic 'sound' returns the audio is still so clean and powerful and the final vocal section plays to a superb standard. The acoustic end section does have three crackly static sounds and one light tick but this is over with in only 3/4 seconds. A shame because the rest of this classic does play with genuine quality. I would say this is Near Mint but VG- during that brief section.
The timeless 'Love Of My Life' has only minimal static on the intro and then plays with stunning precision for the remainder. Every vocal and instrumental section plays with a clarity that you rarely find on these first pressings as it is such a quiet track. It really does play with an incredibly 'clear' sound and Mint- is a deserved grade but with an Ex- intro.
'Good Company' plays with a clarity and warmth that belies its age and has no 'background' at all. Mint
The first verse on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is nigh on perfect and the second verse is equally as impressive with just one light tick. The clarity so far is stunning and this continues into the third verse. Brian's solo is 'as new' and the 'operatic' section is immense! There is no interference, no distortion on the top end, and the dynamic 'heavy section' is just outstanding. It plays with sublime power and definition and the quieter end section also plays with a clarity that you hardly ever find - there is just no interference and it rounds off this absolute classic in fine style. I have played it twice now and it gets better with each listen! I am confident in grading it as Mint- and it is easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard.
'God Save The Queen' ends this classic album with no interference. A Mint finish for sure.
In summary this first pressing plays with wonderful clarity and precision on both sides with only minimal interference. S1 is near perfect with only a couple of minor clicks and S2 is almost as good with only 3/4 seconds of interference on the first two tracks. However, it is worth noting that both of these stonewall classics still play with incredible sonic quality for the vast majority. And a special for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' also which impresses on every level - what a version! Overall this is a superb 2/2 first press and I am sure the winning bidder will agree :-)
The Gatefold & Picture Inner
This embossed cover is one of the finest examples I have seen in a long time and has hardly any shelf wear, it is superb! It must have been kept inside a pvc sleeve for most of its life as it has preserved its original colour so well. The only edge with any wear is the bottom edge of the back cover which has a small 'rub' in the centre but it has not resulted in a split. It really isn't obvious and I only just noticed it. The wide spine is in perfect order and all the corners are in remarkable condition with no obvious wear, how rare is that?! The opening edge is also in great shape with no handling wear and the front cover is incredibly clean with hardly any of the fading/marking that you so often see - there is just a very minimal amount near to the opening edge and on the reverse side but it is very faint. The back cover is just as good and I just cannot emphasise enough how visually stunning this cover is - the inside is also pristine. It is also still very strong and robust confirming it has hardly been handled down the years. What a cover!The picture inner (with three cut corners) just has one of the usual small splits on the bottom edge but is otherwise in excellent condition with no creasing or marking.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-2 // TG 1 / RHH 4 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves
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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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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