QUEEN A Night At The Opera 2/3 1st Press V Superb COVER & Incredible MINT- AUDIO
£
51
$
68
£ 51
Sold For
Jun 23, 2025
Sold Date
Jun 13, 2025
Start Date
11
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges. However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.
Queen : A Night At The Opera 2 / 3 1st Press Variation 1975
This very early pressing plays to the highest standard possible with no interference at all. Having played every track in full i can confidently say it has been a long time since I last heard this classic album playing with such stunning precision. There are no ticks, clicks or pops and I only heard 4/5 very quiet statics at most. The clarity, depth, warmth and power of the audio is sensational and must have have the finest versions 'The Prophet's Song', 'Love Of My Life' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' that I have ever listened to, the sonic quality is amazing. This 2/3 pressing is easily a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic and the vinyl is also visually in fantastic condition also. It has hardly been played in my opinion and is another from the pristine collection that I bought recently.
The iconic cover is also a work of art! It is so clean with barely any wear and has retained it original 'whiteness' so well. Hardly handled and preserved so well, the shape and structure is still perfect. The original picture (with three cut corners) just has the usual split on the bottom edge but is otherwise in great condition.
So is this a second press or a first press first variation? Maybe more of the former but needless to say it was pressed very close to the 2/2 one and you would be hard pressed to find a better one!
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 RPR 5 / YAX 5064 - 3 AGP 3 // BLAIR'S etched on both run outs
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The gatefold is Near Mint The picture inner is Ex-
The labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is visually stunning with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and no marks or scratches. Not surprising I guess with such pristine audio! All I can see under a strong bright light are a small number of very faint hairlines but of course there is nothing that stands out. It could hardly look any better. There is no groove or surface wear and the labels are practically 'as new' also with barely any spindle wear.
Play Grading
The piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' for once plays so clearly with only a couple of minor statics and the following two part instrumental section is just perfect with no intrusion whatsoever. Freddie's opening vitriolic vocal plays with STUNNING precision as does the first chorus. It continues to play with such quality, a dynamic power and clarity that cannot be faulted. There is no distortion and the audio really is so clean and sharp. A true classic in every way and I will say Mint- only because of the two minor statics at the start but I could be forgiven for dispensing with the minus!
'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' also plays with a warmth and clarity that could not be improved upon. From the jaunty piano intro through every vocal and instrumental the playback is 'as new' without so much as a dust tick. Mint
'I'm In Love With My Car' provides further evidence of barely played vinyl. The sonic quality is incomparable, it is out of this world! The audio is so deep and rich and Roger's vocal lends itself perfectly to this classic track. A definitive version you could say and again Mint is richly deserved.
The intro on 'You're My Best Friend' is flawless and the opening vocal is equal to that. From then on it plays with sublime clarity and depth with no intrusion whatsoever. Mint all the way.
The vocal / acoustic intro on '39' plays beautifully with no background and Brian's opening vocal is of the same high end standard. The first chorus is perfect as is the following 'choral' passage. From then on it plays to the highest standard possible and I cannot emphasise enough just how good it is! 'As new' sums it up and that includes the brief silent section towards the end. Brian's little sci-fi classic and what a version! A couple of minor statics on the fade out so I will say Mint-
The intro, first verse and chorus on 'Sweet Lady' all plays with phenomenal power and depth and that same level is prevalent throughout. Not a track I skip I have a greater appreciation for it these days and I cannot fault it. From start to finish there is no interference, no distortion and Mint is fair.
'Seaside Rendezvous' is a track often affected by distortion and often spoilt by it. Not here! This is without doubt one of the cleanest versions I have ever heard which once again shows just how little this record has been played. The playback is so clear and if there is any inner groove distortion it is kept to an absolute minimum. This vaudeville classic grades as Mint and you really could not wish for a better side, it definitely has the wow factor!
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The wind / acoustic opening on 'The Prophet's Song' plays with sublime clarity and how rare is that?! There is generally some static or ticks but there is literally nothing here... apart from the music and the weather! The opening vocal section is strong and powerful with no intrusion and it proceeds in the same way. The entire Now I know acapella vocal section plays with STUNNING clarity with not even a solitary dust tick and the la la vocal is just as impressive. I cannot remember when I last heard this section play with a sonic quality comparable to this. As Brian re-enters the scene the playback is exceptional and the final vocal section has no background. A STUNNING version on so many levels - even the acoustic end section plays beautifully. Have I ever graded this prog classic as Mint well I am here!
The acoustic intro on 'Love Of My Life' plays with outstanding clarity and Freddie's opening vocal is just as clean. It continues to play with a clarity that is second to none - seriously has this album ever been played! There is just one minor static during one instrumental bridge but the clarity and warmth here is truly on another level. There is no underlying static and you can hear each note so clean and succinctly. A remarkable Mint- version. Just wow!
'Good Company' more than keeps up the standard and plays with impeccable quality through every section. I can't repeat myself but honestly the clarity and definition of the audio is incredible. even the quieter All through the years towards the end plays flawlessly. Mint from start to finish. And now onto a certain well known track....
The first verse on the perennial classic 'Bohemian Rhapsody' has not one dust tick, it could not play any better, and the second verse is equal to that. So far so perfect! The third verse and Brian's first solo keep up the good work and then piano intro the operatic section is as clean as could be. This classic piece then plays with STUNNING clarity and power and the hard rock section is just as impressive. As the volume decreases the audio is still 'as new' and the end vocal / instrumental literally has no intrusion and the gong fade out is the same! I have no hesitation in grading it as Mint because the sonic quality is as good as it would have been on the first day of release. It is the most 'complete' version I have heard in many a year, it is STUNNING IN EVERY WAY!
'God Save The Queen' ends this phenomenal album with, you will not be surprised to hear, superb clarity from start to finish. No ticks, clicks, pops or static much like the rest of the album it deserves to be graded as Mint
The Gatefold & Picture Inner
The embossed G & L cover is in superb condition which is a genuine rarity! It is so clean. The edges are as close to perfect as could be and the wide spine has no wear and has lost none of its original shape. The corners are incredibly clean with no obvious wear and the opening edge looks hardly handled and has only a tiny amount of feathering at each end, hardly worth a mention really. The white front cover is stunning and has only a couple of faint minor creases next to the spine and the back cover is just as impressive with only a couple of minor specks. The inside of the gatefold is immaculate, if I had to mention anything you can see a couple of minor creases either side of the spine but overall this truly is a fantastic example of this iconic cover.
The picture inner inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no marking or creasing but does have the usual split on the edges, about 7cms long, albeit a clean one. Aside from that it is in great shape.
EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 RPR 5 / YAX 5064 - 3 AGP 3 // BLAIR'S etched on both run outs
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
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 will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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