QUEEN II (4U / 4U 1st Press)

This genuine first press plays with stunning audio and comes complete with a lovely clean gatefold and a mega clean lyric inner with only one mega small side split.

EMA 767 // YAX 4736 (crossed) 4735 - 4U / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // GRO 3 & GGP 4

The audio on S1 is Near Mint ('White Queen' intro is Ex)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority)

The laminated cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Ex+

The EMI labels are Near Mint-

 Visual grading

  This is one visually stunning vinyl!  It is immaculate condition and has an incredible glossy sheen despite its age.  There are no scratches and even under a strong bright light I can only detect a couple of mega faint hairlines.  There is some spindle wear, although not a great amount, so whilst it has been played a number of times it has always been carefully handled.  It practically looks 'as new'.  The run out grooves are also in incredible clean.  An archive copy for certain.

Play grading

There is hardly any static on the 'Procession' intro and it plays so cleanly, a very impressive start.  The clarity throughout is 'high end' and the fade out and then the intro on 'Father To Son' is of an immaculate standard.  This track then plays with wonderful audio although there is one click about one minute in although I cannot see what is causing it!  In spite of that this classic plays with great power and depth and no distortion and the quiet sections have no 'background' at all.  The long fade out is just sublime and plays 'as new'.  The 'White Queen' intro has a little static/very light crackle but it still plays very clearly and then continues in sublime fashion and has to be heard to be believed!  The clarity is astounding and is a superb listen with next to no 'background'.  'Some Day One Day' and 'Loser In The End' end S1 with superlative quality and easily class as Near Mint if not better.

'Ogre Battle' has a little static on the long build up but nothing what you would call intrusive and there are no clicks or pops.  It then plays with stunning power and the depth and precision of the audio is first class, the bass is so strong in the mix and there is no distortion or interference of any kind.  A fantastic version.  For fear of sounding repetitive 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' and 'Nevermore' play with a clarity that is so rare on these genuine first pressings and especially the latter when you consider how quiet this track is.  They both have Mint- audio, no exaggeration.  The quiet intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' has a minimal amount on non-intrusive static and then plays with supreme sound and even the quiet mid section plays with incredible clarity and barely any 'background'.  There is only a touch of light static towards the end but aside from that the end section plays nigh on perfectly.  'Funny How Love Is' plays with perfect precision and 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album with a little distortion, as is always the case, but no other interference.

In summary this is a very impressive 4U/4U first pressing with very little interference.  A small amount of static and only one obvious click isn't bad for a vinyl of 44 years.  The clarity is first class and the audio here would please any collector.

Gatefold cover

The G & L laminated cover is in fabulous condition.  The edges and spine are in perfect condition with hardly any corner wear also.  The opening edge has minimal handling wear and the laminate throughout is in superb shape with no splits or lifting, just a handful of very small creases around the edges.  The front cover is extremely clean and the back has a little ringwear as is common.  The inside of the gatefold is almost as new and the colours remain strong and vibrant.  The inner spine is so often damaged but that isn't the case here.  Overall this a fantastic example of this iconic gatefold and one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time.

Lyric inner

This original inner, with the four cut corners, is a lovely example of its kind.  Admittedly there is a small split to the left side but to be honest you hardly notice it.  The actual inner is so clean and has no marking and hardly any creasing which is a rarity.  I still think it's worth an Ex+!

The labels

The original EMI labels are in excellent condition with no writing on.  There is one tiny mark only by the spindle hole on Side White but are very clean nonetheless.  There is some spindle wear but not a massive amount.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

EMA 767 // YAX 4736 (crossed) 4735 - 4U / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // GRO 3 & GGP 4

This record has been professionally cleaned on a 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (Second Class)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!