Colosseum : Valentyne Suite 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press w/Philips credit

This first pressing on the Vertigo label plays to a 'high end' standard with barely any interference, just one click on S1 that is all!  The clarity on both sides is exceptional and there is no background static at all.  So Side A is close to perfect but as for Side B?  I have never heard better, the playback is so precise and powerful with no sign of any distortion.  The vinyl is also visually stunning with only a small number of sleeve removal hairlines.

The gatefold is in excellent condition with only some wear on the edges and spine but is still 100% legible.  The original swirl inner is also in excellent order with no side splits.

This was of course the first release on the famous Vertigo label and as denoted by the Philips credit on the label this is a genuine first press.  I am also selling a Black Sabbath with the Philips credit also :-)

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

886 775  1Y*1  420  1 1 1

886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 9 6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition with no marks or scratches and still has a very impressive glossy sheen.  All I can can detect under a strong light are a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines on each side and there is nothing that detracts from the stunning visual quality.  The run out grooves are very clean and the Vertigo labels have only very minimal spindle wear.  The 'swirl' side does have a few faint wavy lines but these can only be seen when you hold the record at a certain angle.

Play grading

'The Kettle' plays with superb audio from the first groove to the last.  It plays loud and true with no distortion on the top end and there is no interference at all.  A stunning and very powerful Mint start to the album.

The intro on 'Elegy' is 'as new' and the first verse is equally as good.  It continues to play with great clarity and the only interference is one intrusive click during the sax solo.  Otherwise it plays perfectly so will grade as Near Mint- track accordingly.

With complete silence in the dead wax the long intro on 'Butty's Blues' plays with a sonic quality that could not be any better.  The opening vocal is of the same 'high end' standard and it progresses in exactly the same way.  From start to finish every vocal and instrumental section play with sublime clarity and... no interference.  There are of course so many powerful sections on this record and there is no distortion.  Mint

The intro on 'The Machine Demands A Sacrifice' has no 'background' and continues to play with genuine quality.  For a final track the sonic quality is very impressive which can only mean the record has only been lightly played over the last 50+ years.  Even when the volume decreases to a 'whisper' the clarity is amazing!  Not even a dust tick here!  As it builds the 'as new' clarity is still there and to the end it plays with stunning precision.  Another Mint track to end the side.

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'The Valentyne Suite' begins with 'January's Search' and from the very first groove it plays with perfect clarity and it continues in the same way.  Once again the clarity and definition of the audio is incredible and there is just no interference to be heard.  The mid sax solo section is so strong and throughout the entire 'movement' you can hear each note so clearly.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound and this really is clarity of the highest standard.  The quieter sections are equally as impressive as the more up tempo sections and this easily deserves a Mint- grade although perhaps the minus isn't required!

The 'vocal' intro on 'February's Valentyne' plays to perfection and from then on plays like the rest of the album - with faultless audio - not one tick, click or pop just pure Mint audio from start to finish.  Honestly I cannot put into words just how incredible this entire section - the end section is absolutely STUNNING and demands to be played loud!

The segue into 'The Grass Is Always Greener...' is faultless and it proceeds in the same exact way.  Every second plays with such succinct clarity and the first quieter section is a prime example of that.  The mid guitar solo is breathtaking and again there is just no distortion - the playback is awesome!!  The 'high octane' section near the end plays with stunning power and depth and the final section is just as impressive.  What a side!  This is Mint etc etc!

In summary this first pressing plays to an amazing standard with only half a second of interference on Side A!  The clarity, power and depth of the audio on both sides is so strong and Side B in particular is absolutely stunning!  I have sold 3/4 of these down the years and this is without question the finest example I have listened to.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  To be honest most of the 'wear' is on the edges but even then it isn't major.  The spine has some wear on the corners, a little more on the bottom corner, plus a few small 'rubs' but it remains 100% legible which makes a change.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and the opening edges are very clean with only one of them having a little handling wear.  The front cover is in lovely condition - how many of these have you seen with a sticker removal mark?!  That is not the case here and there is no marking at all.  The back cover is just as impressive and the inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only minimal 'speckling' around the edges, very minimal!

The original swirl inner is in excellent order and has only a little creasing and a small number of faint marks on one side.  There is no age related fading around the edges and no side splits or tears.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

886 775  1Y*1  420  1 1 1

886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 9 6

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 WILL 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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 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!