VAN DER GRAFF The Least We Can Do... 1st Press (SECOND MIX) + Poster NM/M- AUDIO
£
167
$
221
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Description
4I 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.
Van Der Graaf Generator : The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other A+G / B+G 1st Press (Second Mix)
Charisma Pink Scroll + Large Poster 1970
This first pressing with the 'correct' mix plays to a superb standard with no intrusion. There are no clicks or pops and only a small number of very faint statics and one static tick. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio on both sides is stunning and it is easily the finest version of this classic LP that I have ever heard. The power and resonance of the audio is phenomenal also, that original sonic quality is still very much in evidence and there is no distortion on the top end.
The all important and often missing poster is in great condition with only minimal wear and the gatefold cover has also been very well preserved and remains in excellent condition. The plain white inner has only light wear.
The first 'withdrawn' has no 'G' in the run out of course.
CAS. 1007 // CAS+1007+A+G --- CAS+1007+B+G
The audio on S1 is Mint- (T1 intro Near Mint)
The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T3 Mint-)
The gatefold is Ex-
The poster is Ex+
The inner sleeve is Ex-
The Charisma pink scroll labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in excellent shape although has lost a little of its original glossy sheen. It has no scratches and under a bright light I can a couple of minor blemishes and a kind of faint band hairline mark across S2. It's purely superficial as it has no effect on the superb audio. Hardly any hairlines which is good. There is a little marking in the run off but the rough textured Charisma pink scroll labels are in superb condition with no marking and very little spindle wear.
Play Grading
The 'wind' intro on 'Darkness (11.11)' plays with great clarity and there is no interference as such - just a handful of very quiet statics. As the music comes in the audio is superb and Hammill's opening vocal section is just as strong and clear. As the volume increases there is no let up in quality and this standard is kept up as it progresses. There are no clicks or pops and the clarity of sound is stunning, a handful of very quiet statics that is all. The power and depth especially is so impressive and the mid instrumental is a prime example of that, it is 'as new'. The next quiet vocal is so clean and the following high octane vocal is flawless as is the closing instrumental led by Jackson. I will grade the intro as Near Mint but from then onwards I believe Mint- is deserved.
'Refugees' plays beautifully with no interference. It has so many quiet sections so there is no hiding place and yet the clarity of sound is stunning through every vocal and instrumental section. I cannot fault it, it shows off Hammill's delicate voice perfectly and the audio separation is outstanding i.e. every note so crisp and clear and you really notice that on the 'choral' end section. Put simply it is a remarkable version! Mint-
The church organ intro from Banton on 'White Hammer' is essentially perfect with only a couple of mega quiet statics and the opening vocal section is deep and powerful with zero intrusion. The instrumental bridge is perfect as is the next vocal passage and it continues to play with sublime clarity and definition. There is no inner groove distortion on any of the music or on Hammill's more powerful vocals and the overall playback is STUNNING throughout. For example the as it descends into near silence towards the end there are only a couple of minor statics at the beginning and end. The deep and menacing 'exit' is superb and the final instrumental just could not play any better. Scary music indeed! Another Mint- track.
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The intro on 'Whatever Would Robert Have Said?' again impresses with exceptional clarity, just a couple of minor statics, and the opening vocal is equally as good. It continues to play with genuine quality and with no intrusion. There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and I only 'picked up' a small number of insignificant statics for example during the quieter part of the mid instrumental and then the high octane passage is superb. One light tick in the final quiet vocal and the closing instrumental is faultless. I'll say Near Mint for this one.
'Out Of My Book' keeps up the good work with superb audio throughout. The opening vocal has two minor statics only and thereafter it plays with clinical precision aside from one static tick during the mid instrumental so I'll say Near Mint but yes 99% does play perfectly :-)
The intro on 'After the Flood' has one very light static at the start but is then perfect as is the opening vocal. The first instrumental again has just one minor static and the next vocal is flawless. It's impossible to describe each section on such a lengthy prog track with its usual twists and turns (!) but as per the rest of the album it plays with sensational audio through every section. Despite it being the final track it is sonically as strong as the preceding tracks - I played the entire 11 minutes (of course) and the clarity, power and definition of the audio is incredible! The loud almost jazzy section for example is phenomenal - immense power and zero distortion. The following quieter section plays with 100% clarity and the powerful, infamous Annihilation vocal is as frightening as it is perfect! The quiet acoustic section then plays with wonderful clarity and the closing section is so clean and powerful with no distortion on the top end. It may be 11+ long but I am more than happy to grade it as Mint- it truly is a stunning version.
The Gatefold, Poster & Inner Sleeve
The Patents pending G & L cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear, a rarity because it isn't laminated. The top edges have a handful of minor 'rubs' and the bottom edges a little more edge wear. The spine has some small rubs and wear on the corners but nothing major. The other corners are very clean and the opening edge is close to perfect. The front cover is very clean with no real marking, just minimal surface rub and the back cover is similar. A couple of very small creases in the left hand corners. The inside of the gatefold is in superb order with only a couple of faint spots. A very strong example overall.
The double sided poster is in excellent condition with no marking and only some light creasing at the end of the folds on the edges plus a couple of tiny 'nicks'. The plain white inner sleeve has no side splits or tears, just a little discolouration and some creasing.
CAS. 1007 // CAS+1007+A+G --- CAS+1007+B+G
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
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Postage & Packaging
I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping. This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage. The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered. Any over-payment will always be refunded.
The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD). An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known. Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing. Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask. Many thanks.
All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection. They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection. I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.
The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each. There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up! Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra
If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed. If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!
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