Spring : A-1 / B-1 1st Press on Neon Label

This very rare and collectable first pressing on the famous RCA Neon label plays to an excellent standard overall.  With one brief section of interference on S1 and a little static on the final two tracks the vinyl has been preserved very well.

Pressed in only limited numbers this super rare prog classic was the only album released by Spring and they don't often turn up for sale!

The triple fold-out cover die-cut gatefold is in very good condition with only some rubbing on the edges being the most obvious wear.  It includes a die-cut white inner which is in excellent condition although I am not sure if it is the original sleeve.

AGBS 0521 - A - 1  A + L etched

AGBS 0522 - B - 1  A / G etched

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Track 1 G+ for 10 seconds / T2 Ex but Ex+ for majority / T3 & T4 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 ranges between Ex- and Near Mint)

The gatefold is VG++

The labels are Mint

The original inner is Ex+

  The vinyl is in excellent condition and is the cleanest example I have seen of this rare pressing.  Not perfect but it still has a strong glossy sheen and no scratches.  There is a very small 'spot' on the first track (see below) and also some hairlines on both sides with 3/4 that are a little more obvious.  However, it has not been over-played as I cannot detect any spindle wear and the clarity of the audio overall is very impressive.  The run out grooves and labels are in near perfect condition.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is very 'clean' and then the intro on 'The Prisoner (Eight By Ten)' plays with great clarity and no interference.  As the vocal begins there is just a minor hint of static in the background but you can hardly hear it if I'm honest.  There are eight clicks towards the end of the first verse caused by a small 'spot' on the vinyl but aside from that plays very well.  From then on it plays with very clear audio and only a small number of very light static ticks.  The audio for the vast majority is actually very impressive and the instrumental end section is stunning.  Shame about that spot!  I would grade this as Ex+ but with a G+ ten second section near the beginning.

'Grail' has only light background static on the intro and is there during the first verse also.  It is very quiet and non-intrusive in my opinion and as the volume increases the audio cannot be faulted.  It continues to play impressively with only minimal light static in the quieter sections but the more up tempo passages are superb.  The instrumental section is very strong with only a small number of very light ticks.  There are no clicks or pops and the final verse plays with excellent clarity and only 3/4 light ticks, the remainder is very 'clean' with no intrusion.  I would say Ex is a fair assessment of the audio although many sections do play better than that.

'Boats' is a real highlight on S1.  It plays with wonderful clarity and there is no interference from start to finish.  There is just a hint of minimal static but Near Mint is more than deserved.

The segue into 'Shipwrecked Soldier' is faultless and the percussive intro plays to the same sublime standard.  Up to the first vocal it Mint- for sure.  It continues to play incredibly well with no interference and again the instrumental excels with great clarity and definition.  Apart from one mega light tick there are no negatives and the final verse and chorus play with superb precision.  I am almost tempted to grade as Mint- but I will be cautious and grade as Near Mint as perhaps there is just a mild touch of distortion on the vocal a couple of times.  I am perhaps being far too critical here!

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The quiet intro on 'Golden Fleece' has only very minimal static and just the one light click.  The first two verses then play with stunning quality and no sign of any interference.  I cannot stress enough just how fantastic the playback is!  The guitar solo is 'as new' as is the the following mellotron section.  The audio is so deep and powerful it is plainly obvious this side has not been overplayed.  The quieter acoustic section has no obvious static and the repeated first verse then plays with superb precision once more.  To the end it plays with near perfect audio, just a little hiss at the end of the fade out.  This is without doubt a very strong Near Mint version.

'Inside Out' has very little static on the intro and then plays with barely any intrusion.  The music and vocal play with great precision and the only thing I would say is that this track does have some light background static.  This is a little more obvious during the quieter instrumental section but it is only very minimal an non-intrusive.  The clarity throughout is still very impressive and the remainder is of the same quality.  The 'high octane' end section in particular is stunning!  This is Ex+ overall but again many sections are better than that.

As it such a quiet track the static on 'Song To Absent Friends (The Island)' is certainly more to forefront but I am pleased to say there are no clicks or pops and the music and vocals still play very clearly.  It's quite impressive that such a quiet number from a 1971 prog classic doesn't have any clicks or pops!  I would say Ex- is about right.

The instrumental opening on 'Gazing' plays extremely well with just a minor touch of background static (very minor!) and as I often say it is not intrusive.  The first verse has no clicks or pops and it continues to play very well but with a little ubiquitous static in the background.  There is also a little inner groove distortion in a couple of places but it is only momentary.  The guitar solo is very strong with only one click and to the end this final track plays with no interference as such, just some light static in the background as stated.  Another Ex- track to end this prog classic.

In summary this very rare first pressing plays to an excellent standard overall and with not very much interference.  The only obvious intrusion is that ten second section on the first track and apart from that the audio is quite impressive.  The rest of S1 in particular plays with great quality and whilst there is some static on the two final tracks of S2 it is not overly intrusive.  This is a well known prog classic and has been well looked after down the years and not over-played.  As stated the vinyl is very clean and any collector would be impressed by this 'package'.

The Gatefold

This matt textured 'open out' gatefold is very clean overall with just some light shelf wear.  The edges have some rubbing and there is a little more on the wide spine but it still remains strong and has not been compressed at all.  All corners have some rubbing also but there is less on the right hand corners.  The front cover is exceptionally clean with no marking and the back cover is equally as good.  The inside of the gatefold is in excellent order but some faint 'mottling' can be seen bottom left.  A little wear on the top and bottom of the first inner spine also.  Not a perfect cover but a perfectly acceptable one nonetheless that has weathered the passage of time pretty well.

The Labels

The rare RCA Neon labels in my opinion are 'as new' with no marking or writing and no spindle wear.  Absolutely stunning!

The Inner Sleeve

The original plain white die-cut inner is in excellent shape with no side splits and barely any creasing.  There is no marking apart from one small 'ring' in the centre on one side.  It has the 'Patent No...' and 'Made In England' printed on one side also.

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

AGBS 0521 - A - 1  A + L etched

AGBS 0522 - B - 1  A / G etched

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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