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Uriah Heep : Salisbury 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This classic album on the Vertigo label plays with stunning quality across both sides with no clicks or pops and barely any static.  A handful of very light ticks that is all which obviously are not intrusive.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and is easily one of the finest versions of this album that I have ever listened to.  Not quite a final upgrade but not far from it!  The vinyl is visually in great order with only some light hairlines and no scratches.  I believe it is more difficult to find this album in great condition than the one that preceded it Very 'Eavy... so to find one as good as this is a genuine rarity in my opinion.

The cover is excellent condition with only minimal wear, mainly some light marking on the back, and the original swirl inner is in great shape also.

This first pressing has the 1Y1/2Y1 matrix and the large swirl logo on the S2 label.  This is one of the earliest also with the 111/12 number system following the matrix.

6360028   1Y * 1  420  1 1 1

6360028   2Y * 1  420 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint / T2 intro Ex+)

The audio S2 is Near Mint

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very strong glossy sheen and there are no scratches or marks as such, just one very small faint blemish at the start of S1 that has no affect on the audio.  Under a strong light I can see some of the usual faint hairlines but of course these are superficial.  The run out grooves grooves are very clean as are the iconic Vertigo labels which only have some spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on the classic 'Bird Of Prey' plays with great clarity and power and then Byron's opening vocal is equally as strong.  It continues to play with no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the playback is very impressive indeed.  The production on this album is often criticised and it certainly helps if the treble is turned up.  I noticed only a handful of barely audible dust ticks and there is nothing that detracts from the overall sound.  Perhaps I should grade as Mint- but Near Mint is definitely deserved.

The quiet intro on 'The Park' plays very clearly with only some light background static and as Hensley's harpsichord comes in the playback is close to perfect.  Byron's first vocal, expressing his range as per usual, plays beautifully with no intrusion and this clarity is kept up as it progresses.  In fact I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the audio is, it is crystal clear!  The more I listen to it the more I am impressed!  The following instrumental piece plays so well with only 3/4 insignificant and very quiet background ticks, you can't really fault, and then the final vocal plays perfectly.  I will grade the intro as Ex+ and the remainder as Mint- it is that good.

The high octane intro on 'Time To Live' plays with superb power and no interference.  Box with his usual fine work here and Byron's opening vocal is equally as strong.  It continues to play with sublime power and depth and again there are no ticks, clicks etc.  The long fade out plays perfectly by the way showing just how clean the vinyl is.  A dynamic Mint- version.

'Lady In Black' plays with outstanding quality from the get go and this standard does not drop as you progress further into this classic.  It builds so well and this truly is a fantastic version with nothing getting in the way of the audio.  The harmonies here as so impressive and the overall clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is just STUNNING.  Right through to the very end there are no negatives.  There is no inner groove distortion and this is Mint- for sure.  What a version!

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The quiet intro on 'High Priestess' plays with great clarity, just a minor hint of barely audible static, and the next section is flawless.  The first vocal is 'as new' and from then onwards plays with genuine power and depth and no interference.  Newton's bass sound is so strong and as per usual Box's playing is just phenomenal.  The long closing instrumental is superb and again I picked up only a modicum of mega light static for a couple of moments.  A Near Mint version.

The 'orchestral' opening on 'Salisbury' plays with stunning clarity and definition and there is only minimal static as it builds around the one minute mark.  Byron's first vocal section is perfect and the next instrumental passage then plays with sublime clarity.  The bass section is of course very quiet and yet there is no intrusion on the audio.  It builds so powerfully out of this section and the next quieter piece plays beautifully.  I'm up to 9 minutes now and so far this classic is playing with STUNNING precision.  The next vocal plays to the same high end standard and it continues in the same exact way.  A sprawling epic you could say but there is no denying the quality of the musicianship and I reiterate because this is such a clean vinyl the original sonic quality has been very much retained.  Even as you approach the end there is no inner groove distortion and Byron's final vocal could not be any clearer.  A modicum of mega light static near the end and then the crescendo finale culminating in Byron's 'scream' is superb.  Great clarity and again no distortion.  I will grade as Near Mint but it has to be said that the majority is even better than that!

In summary this first pressing plays with wonderful quality with no clicks or pops and only the bare minimum of light static in a couple of brief sections.  A handful of light ticks also but the overwhelming sense is that the overall clarity is very impressive.  As stated the production values on this album have often been questioned but that is tempered here by the actual quality of the vinyl and all tracks play to a superb standard.  A number of classics here with the epic 'Salisbury' being one of theme.  A stunning album.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The matt textured cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and surely has to be one of the cleanest on the market today.  The edges have only some light rubbing and the wide spine is in superb shape with only minor wear on the corners.  The 'top' corners have only minimal wear also and the opening edge has hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is very clean and has just one minor crease near the top that you can only see when you hold it at a certain angle and the back cover is just has a small number of light marks plus a little 'speckling' around the edges, nothing too obvious though.  The inside of the gatefold is in perfect condition (a rarity!) without any marking and the inner spine is undamaged.  A very strong Ex example overall.

The original poly-lined Vertigo swirl inner (dated 0171) is in excellent condition with no side splits and just one very small tear on the central 'window'.  It has no marking as such just some age related fading here and there and some light creasing.

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

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

6360028   1Y * 1  420  1 1 1

6360028   2Y * 1  420 1 2

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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