QUEEN II 1st -4 -4 1974 UK Press LP & 1st INNER FACTORY SAMPLE COPY EX+

	£		23
	$		30

'ITS THE VINYL COUNTDOWN'

Welcome to 'Its the vinyl countdown' music auctions. Here you will find some of the most incredible rare records and music memorabilia for your collection. We pride ourselves on auctioning only the highest grade records and items, you will not see anything listed here below EX+ condition, unles the item is extremely rare. You will not see worn covers, warped records or scratched records. We simply do not bother with them.

We list in many cases, 'Archived' & 'mint' condition items, we are able to source from private collections all over the UK. So we hope you can be put at ease that what you are bidding on is of the highest quality.

We play through most of the records, unless the item is clearly mint, or sealed..in which case we don't play them, thus maintaining their 'unplayed' status!  Obviously with some of these rare items there will be the odd 'anomoly' along the way , the odd little static pop or lead in 'sizzle' for a split second.. nothing is perfect we find! all systems differ, but we aim to describe these as accurately as possible for you.... PLEASE ENJOY THIS ITEM YOU ARE NOW LOOKING AT..

QUEEN

'II'

FACTORY SAMPLE COPY

VERY HARD TO FIND GENUINE UK  1st 4U  4U Pressing LP  - 1st LAMINATE SLEEVE  & 'CORNER CUT' INNER SLEEVE

AVERAGE PLAYS - AND WITH 1st CORNER CUT INNER SLEEVE -PLAYS SUPERB

SUPER RARE TO SEE A PROMO COPY LIKE THIS

Released 1974

Label    EMI EMA 767

Matrix        YAX 4735 -4U   Stamper: 3  GM

                   YAX 4736 -4U   Stamper: 1 MA

Note: this has the correct crossed out matrix numbers (as they original put the wrong number on thw wrong side!) later copies do not have this. 

THE VINYL   EX VISUAL  / EX+ PLAY  

As you can see, this vinyl is the highly prized earliest FACTORY SAMPLE 1st pressing. These copies are so rare very few were let out stickered as this example.

Stored from new this LP has seen AVERAGE plays only, and remains in SUPER condition everywhere.

This pressing is a superb vinyl which has retained its amazing glossy sheen and finish. There is no dulling anywhere and overall it is in incredible condition for an LP of this age. The edges are silky smooth, typical of these vintage pressings. We are seing fewer and fewer copies of this LP, so rarely do we see a copy at all, let alone like this.

There are some light spider lines around the centre hole, and no wear to the spindle hole whatsoever.

There ARE whisp lines, a couple of hairlines on both sides and thats it-  nothing else!  Clearly this LP has been archived for many many years, a few little dust specs are on the vinyl when we slid it for checking..IT REMAINS IN ASTONISHING CONDITION.

On playing through we heard nothing bar the tiniest of lead in static in the dead grooves..and the tiniest of static in  a few places in the quiet passages.. it sounds as good as we have heard for this 1st press LP !

All those classic quiet passages played superb.. a real beauty and for such a rare pressing!

OVERALL THIS IS SIMPLY A MUST FOR ANY FINAL UPGRADE COLLECTION.

THE LABELS   MINT-  FLAT MATT LABELS with the all important FACTORY SAMPLE sticker on one side.

THE SLEEVE     EX+

OK, First off we have to point out..ONLY the very first  sleeves are plain under the crest on the back sleeve..later copies from 1975 had 'crest design Queen productions 1975' ADDED in tiny writing (this also applies to 'A night at the opera').. 

this is the correct first sleeve for the first vinyl.. beware mix and match sets!

Correct LAMINATED GATEFOLD TOP LOADER first UK issued earliest sleeve  - with titles on  spine edge

PRINTER CREDITS -  GARROD & LOFTHOUSE

 This is in simply incredible condition, quite amazing how it has survived so clean.

The edges are all super clean with just the tiniest traces of rub, at all , and all colours and inks remain in outstanding condition

The first sleeves had the lamination go right to the very edge..

No  ringwear or ring 'creasing'  - just the lightest of 'dull' ring press , and all edges are super crisp.

The open edge remains in immaculate sharp condition -just a few spots off eathering on both edges

The spine is superb with no damage or squash and all titles are perfect, a few light spots of rub on the top spine end.

A couple of tiny little laminate spider lines over the edges in  a few places..

the open out is beautiful creamy and remains in stunning condition everywhere

we again stress..many copies we see are 'composite copies' to make a nice clean set..but very often the sleeves, inners, and vinyls do not match

THIS SET MATCHES PERFECTLY- MAKING IT NOT ONLY THE EARLIEST 1974 COPY,  BUT ALSO THE HARDEST TO FIND WITHOUT THE WRONG BITS!!!.  Check the sleeve, the inner and those matrix numbers!

We cannot add any more than this! ITS A BEAUTY!

THE INNER SLEEVE   EX+

Becoming so hard to find!!!  (for reasons mentioned above)  THIS example is a stunning textured paper inner with TWO corner cuts (later inners were rounded edges) this one has no discolouration and is quite stunning everywhere..some light ring press only! AND ONE SMALL SCISSOR REAPIR HARDLY VISIBLE

Plus it has the tiny 'G& L'   and  'EMA767' on the bottom of 'side white'.

POSTAGE DISCOUNTS:

Don't forget we offer big postage discounts on multi wins..the more LPs you win, the cheaper the postage works out for you worldwide- Up to 2 kilos or 5 LPs, after which we will send your wins in more than one parcel..ALL very well protected in mailers, stiffeners, plenty of tape & protection, then 'signed delivered' to your door-  and to date we have nad NO damaged items!  ;0)

We hope you enjoy looking at this item, and good luck if you decide to bid for it...We can safely say you will not be dissapointed- If you need to know anyting else, please feel free to contact us with any questions.

All our items are sent 'signed delivery' tracked to your door, (we have never had an item go missing anywhere in the world!) for peace of mind for both you and us! All items are sent in strong protective mailer boxes and stiffeners. With over 28 years in mail order and the music industry 'worldwide' we pride ourselves on the fact you can bid safely on all our items, and knowing you are being dealt with by professionals.

ENJOY! ;0)