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The Smiths : The Queen Is Dead A-1 / B-1 1st MPO Press 1986

This first MPO pressing is stunning in every way!  It has been beautifully preserved over the last 36 years and I doubt it has ever been played such is the sonic quality on offer here.  The only 'background' is two light ticks at the end of the fade out on the final track on S2!  The clarity and definition of the audio is STUNNING!  The vinyl is also visually 'as new' and with a superb cover this is obviously a FINAL UPGRADE album - you could not wish to find a more 'complete' version.  This must have been owned to be part of a 'high end' collection rather than to be played.

As stated the cover is in amazing condition with barely any shelf wear and as can be seen it still has the original sticker top right.  The picture inner is also 'as new'.  A stunning first press for sure.

ROUGH 96 // A1 FEAR OF MANCHESTER MPO / B1X THEM WAS ROTTEN DAYS MPO

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint+

The picture inner is Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is a work of art!  A time warp classic!  It still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and was clearly purchased not to be played, it is in lovely condition.  There are no marks or scratches and even under a strong light I can only see a couple of very small faint hairlines.  A record will often receive some hairlines by just slipping around inside the sleeve but that has not happened here.  I suspect the cover/record has always been preserved inside a pvc sleeve.  The labels are pristine with no spindle wear on either side.  A stunning vinyl!

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no 'background' and then 'The take me back to dead old Blighty' singalong intro on 'The Queen Is Dead' is 'as new' with not so much as a dust tick.  Joyce's percussion and Marr's feedback is just as 'clean' and then the opening verse plays with perfect clarity also.  What a start!  It continues to play with a sonic quality that certainly suggests it has never been played before and I cannot emphasise enough just how STUNNING the playback is!  There is no 'background' and it has that clean aesthetic CD quality but with the warmth and depth that only vinyl can bring.  Every verse is pristine and the instrumental sections are just as strong.  Marr's work is of legendary and you will not hear it any better than here - this is an immaculate Mint start to the album.

'Frankly, Mr. Shankly' is just as impressive with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  This truly is audio of the highest standard and Mint is an easy grade to give.

'I Know It's Over' again plays with unbelievable clarity from the very first groove.  The quiet acoustic first half is 'as new' - so clean I only heard one barely audible dust tick!  The second half also plays with a sonic quality that belies the age of the album and again I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint as there quite simply no interference whatsoever.

'Never Had No One Ever' plays to the same high end standard with no intrusion.  Already I am running out of suitable adjectives in which to describe this incredible album!  Needless to say this is Mint from start to finish.  A couple of dust ticks on the fade out that is all.

The intro on 'Cemetry Gates' is faultless and Morrissey's opening vocal section is equally as good.  It continues to play with a clarity and depth that is second to none and easily provides a Mint finish to the side.  If you are lucky to enough to win this just listen to the fade out, that is a measure of the clarity on offer here!

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The acoustic intro on 'Bigmouth Strikes Again' has not so much as a dust tick and it proceeds in the same way as per S1.  Once more I cannot find a single negative - each note is so sharp and precise and sonically nothing is lost from when it was first released 36 years ago.  Another Mint track.

'The Boy With The Thorn In His Side' and 'Vicar In A Tutu' play to the same immaculate standard with literally no intrusion.  Just that pure crisp audio we have now come to expect!  Both grade as Mint

The classic 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' (aren't they all!) plays with stunning precision from the intro to the fade out.  No jumping ahead here I have listened to every track in full and this is unequivocally another Mint track.

'Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others' ends this FINAL UPGRADE album with audio of the highest calibre...again.  The fade in/out/in section is 'as new' and it continues to play with imperious quality.  Would you believe there are two ticks right at the end of the fade out - the only 'background' across the entire album!  I will grade as Mint- accordingly!

In summary this first pressing plays to a standard so rarely found today.  I have sold a few copies of this classic album over the years but never one as STUNNING as this!  The clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is breathtaking and it just could not play any better.  With a superb cover and inner sleeve this is about as Mint as you can get!

The Gatefold & Picture Inner

The cover has barely any shelf wear and has retained its original shape and structure so well.  The edges are very clean with only the bare minimum of rubbing on the bottom edges but it is very light.  The wide spine is in fantastic shape and has not lost its shape at all and all of the corners are incredibly clean with no rubbing or creasing.  The opening edge is pristine and appears untouched.  The front cover is 'as new' and the back cover is practically as good also.  A hint of barely visible ringwear at the top and bottom but I am being picky!  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking.  In essence the most perfect example you could find.

The glossy picture card inner is in superb shape with no marking or creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

ROUGH 96 // A1 FEAR OF MANCHESTER MPO / B1X THEM WAS ROTTEN DAYS MPO

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!!

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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!