QUEEN II (8/4U)

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 4735 - 8 / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // AM 2 BLAIR'S & GTA 5

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 2 intro Fair)

The laminated cover is Ex++

The lyric inner is Mint-

The EMI labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This is a lovely looking vinyl and it retains a very strong glossy sheen.  There are only a small number of faint hairlines and whilst there is one very small needle drop mark on S2 it is very difficult to spot.  There are no scratches and this record, I would say, has not been played too often.  There is very little spindle wear on S1 and only a couple of faint traces on S2.

Play grading

'Procession' plays with a little static but there are no clicks or pops and provides an impressive start to this classic album.  The intro on 'Father To Son' then plays nigh on perfectly.  It then continues to play with 'high end' audio, the depth and power is awesome!  There is no distortion and rarely have I heard this track play with such breathtaking precision, wow what a version!  The quiet interlude near the end has only a couple of static sounds and it then plays without fault to the very end and the long fade out is just sublime and plays 'as new'.  The quiet intro on 'White Queen' has barely any 'background' and then plays very clearly with hardly any static.  There is one click during the 'Needing - unheard' line but it is deep in the music so hardly intrusive.  From then on it plays with stunning clarity and the instrumental section is 100% superb!  The quiet end section plays very cleanly but with one click.  Overall this is an excellent version of this classic that has minimal 'background' and much of it does play with Mint- quality.  'Some Day One Day' is immaculate from start to finish, there is no interference at all and it easily grades as Mint- with only a couple of light dust ticks on the fade out.  'Loser In The End' ends S1 with fantastic audio, the power and clarity could not be any better.  Mint without question!  No 'background' and no distortion!

'Ogre Battle' plays superbly from the very first groove and with barely any static on the long build up.  It is easily one of the 'cleanest' intros I have heard in a long time.  The audio then plays to a standard that can only be described as Mint it is astounding!  There is no 'background' and it quite simply plays 'as new'.  The power, depth and precision of the audio is first class and the bass is so strong in the mix plus there is no distortion either.  A fantastic version.  The first few seconds of 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' play very cleanly but then sadly the needle does stick.  This is not immediately obvious but on closer inspection I could detect a very small needle drop mark, it is incredibly difficult to spot!  It is such shame as the remainder of the track plays perfectly and with no interference whatsoever.  The very quiet 'Nevermore' has only the lightest of static here and there and there are certainly no clicks or pops, a lovely version.  The quiet intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' has minimal non-intrusive static and the opening verses then play loud and true with great power and depth.  The quiet mid section plays beautifully which is a rarity.  There is no obvious 'background' and it does play so cleanly.  It continues to play in sublime fashion and the end section rarely plays with no distortion.  Overall this is without doubt one of the most impressive versions of this track that I have heard in a long time.  'Funny How Love Is' plays with perfect precision throughout and with no interference or distortion.  A little crackle in the dead wax but then 'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album with supremely clear audio and none of the distortion that you so often hear.  It is a truly superb version that has no interference whatsoever.  A spectacular end to the album with only a little static on the final 3/4 grooves.

In summary this very early pressing plays with very impressive audio and whilst there are a couple of clicks the clarity overall is extremely impressive.  Yes the 'stick' on S2 is unfortunate but the audio on this side is of a very high standard, no clicks or pops at all.  The gatefold is in lovely condition and the paper lyric inner is practically 'as new' - how often can that be said!

The Gatefold

The G & L laminated cover is very impressive and has very little shelf wear.  The edges and spine are untouched and are in perfect condition and there is no obvious corner wear also.  The opening edge is in superb order with no handling wear.  The laminate throughout is in great condition with no splits and only a small number of faint creases.  The front cover has no marking and the back cover is the same with only a couple of small laminate lifts.  The inside of the gatefold is 'as new' which is a massive rarity!  The colours remain strong and vibrant and there is no staining/marking that you so often see.  The white background is so incredibly white!!  The inner spine is superb and is totally undamaged with that crunch sound when opened.  In fact I would say it has hardly ever been opened as it will not fully extend at all.  This is a great example of this iconic gatefold and one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time.

Lyric inner

This original inner, with the rounded corners, is in fantastic condition!  And to think this is made of paper!  I would say this has hardly ever been out of the cover it is that clean.  There are no splits and no creasing and only a couple of faint print marks.  A stunning example without doubt.  It is close to being Near Mint- but I think an Ex++ grade would be more suitable.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are in superb condition with barely any spindle wear and they have no marking or writing.  Superb!  

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

EMA 767 // YAX 4735 - 8 / YAX 4735 (crossed) 4736 - 4U // AM 2 BLAIR'S & GTA 5

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 £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

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 (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 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!