I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

The Gun : The Gun A1/B1 1st Press

This mono first pressing plays to a superb standard with no interference as such.  A couple of light ticks that is all and the clarity and definition of the audio is first class to say the least.  In my opinion this classic record has hardly been played judging by the 'high end' audio and that there is hardly any spindle wear.  It plays with STUNINNG quality and is visually stunning also!

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and it's worth pointing out that it is the first by Roger Dean.  The inner sleeve is also in excellent order.  A superb album!

M 63552 // A1 / B1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 ranges between Near Mint & Mint- but a lot more of the latter!)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no mark or scratches.  I can only find a small number of extremely faint sleeve removal hairlines and there is no groove wear.  The orange CBS labels are super clean with no marking and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Race With The Devil' plays perfectly and that first classic riff is just as strong.  It continues in the same way with no interference on the vocals or instrumental passages.  Play it loud there is no distortion at all!  The power and depth of the audio is so impressive and this is a Mint start to the album.

Showing just how versatile they were 'The Sad Saga Of The Boy And The Bee' plays with stunning quality with no ticks, clicks, pops or static - just a couple of very light hiss sounds on the fade out.  Mint-

'Rupert's Travels' keeps up the good work and plays with great clarity and depth from the first note to the last with no intrusion.  Another Mint track.

'Yellow Cab Man' plays with sublime quality throughout and you can see why Hendrix admired Curtis' work.  His guitar is so strong and dynamic and when you find a vinyl as as 'clean' as this the playback is stunning.  Farrell's percussion also really drives this track and again I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint - what a version.

The high octane start on 'It Won't Be Long (Heartbeat)' is spectacular!  There is just one very light tick at the start but really you cannot fault it.  The percussive 'intro' plays perfectly and it proceeds to play with great quality and of course...no interference.  This is another stunning version and the superb percussive end section just has a hint of mega light static right at the end.  A Mint- finish to the side.

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'Sunshine' on S2 plays with wonderful audio from the get go with no intrusion.  The vocals have a more melodic this time and the clarity is still there.  The guitar solo is so good and from start to finish there are no ticks, clicks etc this is a superb Mint version.

There is one static tick on the 'Rat Race' intro and from then on plays with exceptional clarity and depth.  This is another band that should have been so bigger than they were!  There are a couple of very light in the middle section but I'm not going to downgrade because of it as they are so extremely quiet and totally non-intrusive.  The rest of this classic with stunning precision and Mint is again deserved.

The countdown intro on the epic 'Take Off' has no 'background' aside from a couple of dust ticks and the opening vocal has no interference.  It continues to play with breathtaking audio and throughout the entire 12+ minutes I only heard a couple of light ticks near the halfway mark.  The three of them are working so well together here and the power of the audio is outstanding.  This truly is a STUNNING version and the end section in particular is so impressive.  I will grade as ranging between Near Mint and Mint but there is infinitely more of the latter!

In summary this first pressing plays to a fantastic standard and definitely should have received more recognition as it is such a strong and original album.  A debut also!  The clarity, power and definition of the audio is 'high end' and it obvious the vinyl has hardly been played.  I'm sure there are a number of 'Gun' collectors out there and if they want a near perfect first pressing then this is the one to own!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover (the first by Roger Dean) is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  The edges have barely any rubbing but the spine does have a little more wear but no splits though.  The corners are in excellent shape overall with just a little more wear bottom right.  The opening edge has only very minimal handling wear.  The front cover is in superb order with no marks and only a small number of laminate creases around the edges and a small crease bottom right.  The unlaminated back cover is in great shape with only very minor creasing top left.  An excellent example overall.

The original die-cut paper inner is in excellent condition with only some creasing.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

M 63552 // A1 / B1

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!