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Colosseum : Valentyne Suite 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with barely any interference.  There is only a few seconds of minor distortion on S2 that is all and there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  The sonic quality is stunning throughout.  The vinyl is also visually stunning and it would be difficult to find a better one.

The matt textured cover has also been very well preserved with only minimal wear and the original swirl inner is also in excellent order.

As this is a genuine first press it has 'A Philips Record Product' on the S2 label and on the inside of the gatefold.  The S2 label also states Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4 but on the inside of the cover is says Theme One etc...

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The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Ex for two very brief moments)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in superb condition with that 'shop fresh' look and an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only under a strong light can I detect a small number of ultra faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There is no groove wear and the run out grooves are pristine.  The Vertigo labels have no marking and not too much spindle wear.

Play grading

'The Kettle' plays with dynamic power and depth from the very start and it continues in the same way.  The audio is so strong and deep and the mid guitar solo is outstanding with no distortion.  From the first groove to the last this plays with incredible precision i.e. no interference and Mint- is an easy grade to give.  Wow what a start!  I'm not even sure the minus is necessary truth be told!

The intro on 'Elegy' is flawless and the opening vocal is equally as good.  From then on it plays as well as the first track with no 'background' - the clarity and depth of the audio is 'as new' no exaggeration.  This is Mint in every sense of the word.

The instrumental intro on 'Butty's Blues' plays to perfection with a sonic quality that cannot be faulted.  The audio is again so clean with a wonderful depth and it clear this record has only been played on 'high end' equipment.  The first vocal is of the same standard and this quality is maintained to the very end.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops, no background static and you can hear the music in all its perfect Mint glory!  This is such a strong version I cannot praise it highly enough.  You would think it was pressed only yesterday but of course modern reissues do not have the depth and warmth of the original Vertigo pressings.  Words alone do not do justice to this record!  Even the fade out plays with perfect clarity.  Mint

'The Machine Demands A Sacrifice' again plays with supreme quality with that by now familiar power and depth.  The opening vocal/instrumental sections have no interference and the quieter passage has only a couple of minor ticks but really you cannot fault the clarity, there is no background static at all.  As it builds out of this section the playback is 'as new' and the crescendo end section is of the same unbelievable standard.  Mint-

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'The Valentyne Suite - Theme One' has only minimal light static at the very start and as the volume increases the audio is back to its imperious best.  This entire section is faultless and the quieter passage that follows also plays with sublime quality, a handful of dust ticks only.  The organ section has just a minimal amount of distortion with just a little more for 3/4 seconds but again as the volume picks up the audio is exceptional!  Just a little distortion on the next organ piece albeit very brief and the remainder has no interference at all.  This is Mint- with a couple of very brief Ex moments.

The segue into 'Theme Two - February's Valentyne' is nigh on perfect and it then plays 'as new' with no interference.  Each note can be heard so precisely and there is no distortion whatsoever.  It really does play with stunning power and definition and the 'high octane' end section is a prime example of that.  Never heard better!  Mint-

The intro on 'Theme Three - The Grass Is Always Greener' has only a couple of minor dust ticks and it then plays with impeccable audio and no interference.  The opening section is flawless and the bass section that follows is just as impressive.  The guitar solo is STUNNING and the power and clarity of sound here is incredible!  This leads into the crescendo section which impresses on so many levels.  The instruments are not 'fighting' each other and you can hear each note perfectly and then the final piece of the jigsaw ends the album in fine style with...no interference.  A stunning end and Mint- is very much deserved.

In summary this first 'Philips' pressing plays with great quality from the first note to the last with barely any intrusion on the audio.  Ok a few seconds of distortion on S2 but there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static anywhere.  It is without doubt one of the finest versions of this classic album that I have ever listened to and whilst it has been played a few times it has not in my opinion lost any of its original sonic quality.  It was only pressed in limited numbers and there cannot be many around as good as this today.  The clarity, depth and power of the music is so strong and I am sure the winning bidder will be just as impressed as I am!

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The matt textured cover by Keef is in excellent condition with very little wear.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine is in superb shape with only a light wear on the corners.  There is a small crease in the bottom right hand corner and the other corners are very clean with hardly any wear and the same applies to the opening edge.  The front cover is unmarked apart from one very small sticker removal mark top right and the back cover is even better with only one barely visible mark near the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only a very minimal amount of spotting around the edges but you have to look close in order to see it!  Hardly worth mentioning really.  Overall this is a fine example of this cover that is so often found in poor condition.

The original swirl inner is in excellent condition with no side splits and only a couple of 'nicks' on the top edge.  It is very clean with hardly any age related fading, just a few minor spots, and a little creasing.

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

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At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

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 : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 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!