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.

Catapilla : Catapilla 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st press Vertigo 1971

This relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays to an incredible standard with no interference.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is on another level and the only intrusion, if you can call it that, is a small number of light ticks at the end of 'Tumbleweed' but they are so quiet and do not qualify as interference!  It is patently obvious this vinyl has hardly been played.  There is only minimal spindle wear and the vinyl itself is a work of art!  It is visually stunning and looks like it has been hermetically sealed in a vault for the last 54 years!  It is an eclectic album and I am sure some were bought and were then not to the owners taste - this is one such example but fortunately this one has been looked after so carefully.  A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in every way.  The opus 'Embryonic Fusion' on S2 is incredible, the sonic quality is second to none.

The cover is the finest example I have ever seen.  It has been so well preserved and still has its original shape and structure, no bends or creasing.  It is so close to Near Mint- but I have said Ex++ just to be a little cautious!  The original Vertigo inner is also in superb condition.

6360029 1Y//1▽ 420 1 1  3   04

6360029 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  3   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex++

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  You would not be disappointed if you had just purchased this 'brand new' from a record shop it is that impressive.  It is stunning!  Under a bright light light I can only see a very small number of mega faint hairlines but even they are difficult to find!  There is obviously no groove wear or 'bag rash' and it could not look any better in my opinion.  The Vertigo labels are just as clean with hardly any spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2.

Play grading

The run in on S1 remarkably has no background and then the percussive intro on 'Naked Death' is equally as clean.  The few seconds of silence is totally silent and then the opening sax section is near perfect with only 2/3 minor statics.  As the volume increases the audio is stunning and Meek's first vocal is flawless.  As it continues the clarity of sound is incredible and that applies to the quieter more melodic vocal passages also.  The instrumental section then plays with a sonic quality that is quite simply out of this world!  Each note is so clean and succinct and already it is obvious this vinyl has hardly been played.  I mean the depth, warmth and definition of the audio is STUNNING.  This instrumental has to be 10 minutes long and it just could not play any better - no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Jazz rock at its very best with stunning guitar work from Wilson also.  The final vocal section has no background either aside from a couple of very quiet statics.  I honestly believe Mint- is deserved as the playback is as close to 'as new' as you will find.  Wow!

'Tumbleweed' plays with superb audio through every vocal and instrumental section.  There are a handful of very quiet ticks towards the end so I will say Near Mint- but unless you listen carefully you would not hear them, they are that quiet!

'Promises' begins perfectly and the opening vocal is just as strong and clear.  It continues in the same way and you have to admire Meek's voice - so unique and you can easily see where the pre-punk moniker came from.  The sonic quality here is stunning and the depth and resonance is again off the chart.  If you win this listen to the instrumental section you will understand what I mean, it is phenomenal!  The end vocal again has no intrusion and Mint- is again deserved.  A very powerful track with no distortion at all.

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The bass intro on 'Embryonic Fusion' is near perfect with only a couple of super quiet static sounds and the next instrumental section then plays with superb audio i.e. literally no background.  Meek's 'vocal' starting around the 3 minute mark has no intrusion - was she ahead of her time or just a bit errr... eccentric!  As before I prefer to say unique!  Thus far it is playing with incredible sonic quality - I'm up to 10 minutes now and I have only noticed a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is equal to that of an unplayed record no word of a lie.  It continues to impress on every level - the section that includes Frith's frenetic drumming is a case in point, stunning sound quality.  The quiet section that follows plays so clearly with no intrusion.  There is another longer quiet passage after 19 minutes and again the clarity of sound here is quite simply STUNNING!  The remainder of this 24 minute opus is of the same high end standard and the long fade out has not even a single dust tick, that's a measure of the clarity we have here.  I have no hesitation in grading it as Mint- as it could hardly play with any greater precision.  It is a phenomenal version.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The cover has been beautifully well preserved with barely any shelf wear, it is definitely the best I have seen.  The only 'obvious' wear is that small scuff on the front cover next to the top of the spine and a minor amount of ringwear near the top edge on the back cover.  Other less noticeable 'signs' is a little rubbing on the bottom edges, a couple of small spots on the wide spine and some minor 'rubs' by he right on the right hand edge of the front cover.  Not surprisingly the opening edge looks hardly touched and the front and back covers are visually stunning and retain all of their original colouring.  No sticker removal marks which is a rarity for this album!  The inside of the gatefold is also in fantastic condition!  It is unmarked aside from a couple of minor spots and the white background is so clean, there is just a small corner crease top left.  So as you can see this truly is a stunning example of this iconic cover.

The Vertigo inner (dated 0371) is in great condition also and has no side splits or tears.  There is no marking as such, just  a little age related fading around the edges and some light creasing mainly in one corner.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

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6360029 2Y//1▽ 420 1 1  3   04

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 tops

GREAT 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++++

Another stunning LP from this very reliable and helpful seller.

Very quick delivery. Album exactly as described. Excellent packaging. Once again all perfect. Thanks!!!

Great item and seller (no.1), many thanks from ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!

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One of the best on Ebay!

Another amazing record from this exceptional seller. Absolutely delighted!

Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

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 : £12.95 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!!