QUEEN II (8/5)

This early pressing plays with incredible clarity and depth and has only been played 2/3 times in my opinion.  The vinyl is in near immaculate condition and you would be hard pressed to find a cleaner version.  It is beautiful!  The gatefold is also in wonderful condition and the lyric inner is extremely clean also.

This is not a first pressing but it is nonetheless an early one and as can be seen it has just the one stamper on S1 which is something of a rarity.  Based on EMIs GRAMOPH LTD system S1 was printed with only the second stamper.

EMA 767 // YAX 4735 - 8 / YAX 4735 - 5 // R 1 BLAIR'S / GOA 1

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

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

The laminated cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Ex-

The EMI labels are Mint-

 Visual grading

  This superb vinyl has hardly ever been played and I can only detect a couple of faint spindle lines on S1 and a couple of even fainter ones on S2, they are barely visible!  This really is a fantastic looking vinyl and retains a stunning glossy sheen and has only the one mega tiny 2mm scratch on S1.  Aside from that it is perfect, no exaggeration and is a beautiful example of its kind.  I cannot detect any hairlines and there are definitely no other markings or scratches.  This is one immaculate looking vinyl!  The labels and run out grooves are also in superb condition.

Play grading

There are a couple of clicks on the first couple of grooves and then 'Procession' plays with great clarity and minimal static only.  It is a superb listen apart from the first two revolutions!  The intro on 'Father To Son' is stunning and plays to perfection.  As it continues the quality does not diminish in any way.  The depth of the sound is awesome and the bass is so strong in the mix and quite honestly I have not heard a version as good as this in a long time.  This is 'high end' audio without question, there is no distortion on the top end and the powerful instrumental section is beyond words!  It is immaculate and even the quiet 'A word in your ear...' quiet section that follows plays so clearly with only one faint static click.  The long fade out is also very impressive with only one click literally at the end.  The quiet intro on 'White Queen' does have some static for the first few seconds but the opening verse then plays with amazing clarity and only a couple of mega light dust ticks.  From then on this classic is stunning!  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  The audio has not deteriorated over the last 45 years and is Near Mint with question.  The closing section is also superb with just the one static click on the final note.  What a fantastic version!  'Some Day One Day' is immaculate from start to finish with no interference at all.  This easily grades as Mint- and could not be improved upon.  The long fade out is stunning and has only 2/3 dust ticks right at the end.  'Loser In The End' is of the same impeccable standard and plays with stunning power throughout.  A minimal touch of distortion perhaps but this is common on any final track and it certainly does not intrude on the quality of the listen.

'Ogre Battle' on S2 will often have some interference on the intro as it just so quiet.  However, this one is very impressive and has only the bare minimum of mega light static and there are no clicks or pops, a superb start.  May's following guitar section is 'as new' and the same can be said for the rest of the track.  This track is so often overlooked but when you get an immaculate version such as this you can really appreciate it and why it isn't on the '97 album Queen Rocks I don't know!  The raucous instrumental section is so dynamic and has no distortion at all.  This is the most impressive version of this classic I have heard in a long time and grades as Mint- it is immaculate!  Wow!  There is no loss in power or definition and any fan would be blown away by it!  I am delighted to say 'The Fairy Feller's Master-Stroke' is of the same impeccable standard and there is just nothing to detract from the amazing quality of the audio.  Total perfection.  The segue into 'Nevermore' is perfect with no interference whatsoever and this beautiful track then plays wonderfully well with only a couple of minor dust ticks.  Even the final piano note has no 'background'.  Thus far the audio on this side is of the highest standard, the clarity and depth is just breathtaking.  The quiet intro on 'The March Of The Black Queen' does not disappoint either and plays with sublime clarity.  As the track progresses you cannot fail but be impressed by the sheer power and depth on offer here.  There is just no interference and even the quiet 'A voice from behind me...' verse has not one iota of 'background'.  Have I heard better?  Not in many a year!  This is a spectacular version and to the end it plays with superb clarity and definition.  Shock alert ! there are a couple of light static ticks on the final quiet section but it hardly qualifies as interference and the final verse brings this classic to a close with immense power...again.  Wow!  'Funny How Love Is' you will not be surprised to hear plays nigh on perfectly with great definition once more.  No interference and barely any distortion.  The long fade out also plays with stunning precision and no 'background'  'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album with fantastic clarity.  A little distortion on the top end but it is only very minor.  You will always have it on this track as it is very common on 'final tracks' but it is still a superb listen and is perhaps not even worthy of mention.  I am nothing if not honest!  The seaside singalong ! just has a touch of minimal static on the final couple of grooves.

In summary this early pressing plays with superb clarity from beginning to end and S2 in particular is stunning.  S1 is also very impressive with only a couple of light clicks.  I listen to every second of every album so as to provide a comprehensive grading and this Queen II album is without doubt one of the most impressive I have heard in a long time.  As stated it is such a clean vinyl and has hardly ever been played, it is in beautiful condition.  The glossy gatefold and lyric inner are also in lovely condition.

The Gatefold

The G & L laminated cover is in stunning condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges and spine have no rubbing/marking and only one corner has a very small amount of wear/creasing.  The opening edge is very clean with only a couple of very minor 'dings'.  The laminate though is in superb order and has no splits or 'lifting' at all and there are no marks on either the front or back cover aside from a touch of very faint ringwear.  It really is visually in great condition.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and has none of the staining that you so often see and the colours remain strong and vibrant.  The white background is so...well white!  The inner spine is undamaged which is such a rarity for this cover.  This is a great example of this iconic gatefold.

Lyric inner

This original inner, with the rounded corners, is in excellent condition.  It is incredibly clean and has no marking/staining whatsoever.  There is a very small side split on the bottom edge and on one side but they are really not that noticeable.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are in near perfect condition with no marking or writing and there is barely any spindle wear.  Stunning examples!

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 - 5 // R 1 BLAIR'S / GOA 1

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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