WARHORSE Warhorse A2/B2 Genuine 1st PRESS 1970 VERTIGO Ex+ COVER & Superb AUDIO
£
227
$
300
£ 227
Sold For
Aug 24, 2025
Sold Date
Aug 14, 2025
Start Date
20
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
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.
Warhorse : Warhorse A//2 B//2 1st Press Vertigo 1970
This first pressing is so close to perfect! The clarity, depth, definition and power of the audio is stunning on both sides is phenomenal and the only interference is a needle stick right at the end of 'Burning' on S1. As detailed below I cannot see what is causing it but rest assured the rest of the album is absolutely stunning! In my opinion this is one of the best produced albums in the Vertigo catalogue and the music is superb also. This album was underrated in 1970 and it's good it gets more recognition today as it is easily one of the finest hard rock / progressive albums from that era. The vinyl itself is in lovely condition with barely any marking.
The gatefold is one of the best I have ever seen, it has only minimal wear, and the original Vertigo inner just has some marking around the edges and some light creasing.
This is a genuine first press as it has a large Swirl logo on the S2 label, VERTIGO is below the spindle hole and the writing credits are below the track titles. There is no publishing credit on the S2 label either.
6360015 A // 2 1 1 3
6360015 B // 2 1 1 5
The audio on S1 is Mint(-) ( T3 VG- final few seconds)The audio on S2 is Mint(-) The gatefold is Ex+
The Vertigo labels are Mint
The Vertigo swirl inner is Ex-
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition with a fine glossy sheen and no scratches. There is one very small blemish on 'Vulture Blood' but it is superficial as it has no affect on the audio and under a strong bright light I can only see a small number of very faint hairlines. There is no groove or surface wear and the run out grooves are very clean. The iconic Vertigo labels are immaculate with no marking or spindle wear.
Play grading
The run in on S1 is so clean so you are expecting the quiet organ intro on 'Vulture Blood' to play well and it does not disappoint! There are only a handful of very quiet statics and as the music bursts in the audio is so strong and deep, typical of the Vertigo pressings of course. The opening vocal section led by Holt plays with its usual 'raw' quality and there is no intrusion whatsoever. The mid instrumental is stunning - the depth, power and resonance of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard. Sterling work from Peck and Wilson and I love how Poole's drums are so high in the mix. As it ends the brief pause is totally silent and the closing vocal section is as good as the first. I have no hesitation in grading this classic as Mint
The intro on 'No Chance' is spectacular! Sublime musicianship, led by Simper and Poole, and put simply it plays 'as new' with not so much as a dust tick. The richness and depth of the audio? Again - just wow! The opening vocal section is PERFECT which is soon followed by the instrumental bridge / quieter vocal and they also play with stunning precision. It continues to play with phenomenal quality and as it builds (accompanied by the backing vocals and Poole's dynamic work) the audio could not be any stronger. The closing instrumental again shows why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable as the sonic quality is quite simply on another level. It reaches a fitting climax with immense power and depth and no distortion. Some tracks you kind of waver between Mint and Mint- but this is without doubt MINT from start to finish.
The entire staccato intro on 'Burning' can only be described 'as new' and Holt's first vocal is more than up to the task i.e. no background at all. Another powerful track and yet the sonic quality is undiminished - the following instrumental is perfect. The next vocal is equal to that and does Holt's range lend itself perfectly to this track! Raw and precise in equal measure. The second half of this classic is taken up by the instrumental with Wilson taking centre stage at the beginning soon followed by Peck. The playback is again so powerful and deep although (annoyingly) the needle does stick a few seconds before the end, at least it does on my set up. I've looked closely and I cannot see what is causing it so maybe it's a pressing fault. Just nudge the needle along and the final few seconds play without fault. How to grade it? Let's say Mint for the majority and VG- for the final few seconds, I think that's fair.
'St Louis' ends the side with genuine quality from start to finish. This high octane track often has some inner groove distortion but that is not the case here at all and may well be the 'cleanest' version I have ever heard. Every section plays with remarkable quality, the audio separation is so impressive. A stunning conclusion and another Mint track. It may not be typical Warhorse but they certainly put their 'sound' on it! The fade out plays to perfection also.
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The intro on 'Ritual' plays perfectly with that by now familiar deep rich tone and the opening vocal is equal to that. It continues to play with great clarity and definition and Simper's bass is so high in the mix here, it adds so much depth. Peck's mid solo is stunning, I cannot stress enough just how well it plays - this section has to be turned up loud, like the entire album really! The end vocal is flawless and the closing instrumental has no intrusion either. This is Mint all the way. A more 'reserved' intro on 'Solitude' and it plays with outstanding clarity throughout. Holt's first vocal is 'as new' taking on an almost operatic tone, very musical. Perhaps a little unrefined but like I said before his vocal is perfect for the Warhorse sound. The instrumentals across the album are so strong and laced with power and depth and the mid instrumental here is no exception. The remainder plays with sublime clarity and power also and the long fade out has no background. The 'complete' version you could say and Mint
The very quiet intro on 'Woman Of The Devil' plays without fault and as the music kicks the depth and resonance of the audio is again off the scale! It builds superbly with no distortion and the next quiet section is perfect. The opening vocal is just as impressive and this level is kept up as it progresses. The instrumental is flawless, every note so deep and rich and free of any background - Peck's work again of the highest quality and even as you approach the end there is still no inner groove distortion which is impressive when you consider Holt is often at the top end of his register. A Mint finish to a stunning album, just that one minor flaw.
The Gatefold & Vertigo Swirl Inner
The cover is in great condition with only minimal wear, it is definitely one of the cleanest I have seen. The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine is superb with barely any wear, just a small amount of rubbing on the corners. The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge is super clean also. The front cover is stunning with only a tiny barely visible crease and a small 'rub' in the lower right corner. The back cover is close to perfect with only a small S written in the top right corner and the inside of the gatefold is so clean which makes a change! This white background is so often marked but this one has hardly any fading / spotting around the edges. It has just minor creasing in the two bottom corners. A fine example.
The original poly-lined swirl inner (dated 0470) has no side splits or tears and only some light marking here and there. Some creasing also but not an extensive amount.
Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
6360015 A // 2 1 1 3
6360015 B // 2 1 1 5
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the topsGREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM
Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.
Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++
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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 : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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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