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.

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

This first pressing plays with 'as new' audio and that is not me over-selling it.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is second to none and having listened to every track in full I can guarantee there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  The audio is so clean and precise, I just cannot fault it, and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE pressing.  The vinyl is visually stunning - yes it has been played as there is some spindle wear but there is certainly not an excessive amount.  The sonic quality on both sides is of the highest calibre and the 'The Valentyne Suite' on S2 is a genuine highlight.     

The gatefold is in excellent condition and the only 'obvious' wear is on the opening edge but again this is not excessive.  The original Swirl inner is one of the cleanest I have ever seen.

As this is a genuine first press it has A Philips Record Product on the S2 label.  However, on this edition it is not printed underneath the credits on the inside of the gatefold.  Some have it but plenty do not.  I have sold a number of these down the years and a number of them do not have the Philips credit inside the gatefold.  

VO 1 847 900 VTY // 886 775  1Y*1  420  1 1 1 7  //  886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 1 1 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The Swirl Inner is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only locate a small number of very faint hairlines but honestly so so faint and very not easy to find!  There is no 'bag rash' or groove wear and whilst you can tell it has been played due to the spindle wear it has clearly always been handled very carefully.  A stunning example.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background and the intro on 'The Kettle' then plays to perfection with perfect clarity and depth.  The first vocal is just as strong and it continues to play with unbelievable quality.  It is a 'busy' powerful track and yet there is no distortion on the top end and each note is so clear and precise.  Litherland's guitar work is stunning and Hiseman's frenetic percussion adds so much to overall sound.  This is 'as new' from start to finish with no interference.  A Mint start to this classic album.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'The Elegy' then plays to the same high end standard with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Every section plays with stunning precision and the fade out has no background either.  Another Mint track.

The long intro on 'Butty's Blues' is superb with no background and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  The long mid instrumental can also be described 'as new' and the rest of the track cannot be faulted either.  This is clearly a record that has been very well looked over the last 54 years.  The power and definition of the audio is stunning and the powerful end section is a prime example of that.  Great sound.  Running at nearly 7 minutes the audio is immaculate and Mint is again deserved.

'The Machine Demands A Sacrifice' keeps up the good work and plays with stunning quality through every section.  The intro and opening vocal have no interference and it continues in the same precise way.  The instrumental section which descends into near silence is pristine with not even a single dust tick and the final section is of the same standard.  This is without doubt a Mint version - an incredible side of jazz / prog rock fusion!

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'January's Search', the first part of The Valentyne Suite on S2, plays with exceptional quality from the word go.  A quiet intro and yet there is no background and then the opening 'piece' plays with sublime quality and 'as new' is again no exaggeration.  The next section plays beautifully with not even a single dust tick and as the pace quickens the sonic quality is absolutely stunning!  The depth and resonance of the audio is so strong and to the end there are no negatives.  This is a track that demands to be played loud and by doing so you will hear perfect Mint audio!

The 'choral' intro on 'February's Valentyne' is perfect and it continues in the same precise way.  There is nothing to detract from the audio and I cannot emphasise enough how well it plays.  A shorter section but it is Mint from start to finish.  The all powerful end section is fantastic, never heard better and I have sold a few of these down the years.

The segue into 'The Grass Is Always Greener' is perfect and from then on it plays as per the rest of the album - with audio of the highest calibre.  The sonic quality is on another level and there is no inner groove distortion either.  The musicianship is so impressive and nowhere is that more obvious than during the high octane section mid instrumental.  Litherland's work here is just incredible but special mention to Hiseman again because the drumming is just out of this world, a real work out!  This truly is the definitive version of this classic three part instrumental and the brief quieter section near the end again plays with wonderful clarity.  The finale is just as strong and from the first note to the last S2 is quite simply Mint through every section.  Wow what a version!

In summary this first pressing plays to the highest standard possible with literally no intrusion.  No dust ticks, static ticks, clicks, pops or static - pure clean Mint audio through every track.  It has a CD like aesthetic quality but with the depth and warmth that you only find on vinyl.  I have sold a few of these down the years including a number of Near Mint / Mint copies but never one as immaculate and as 'complete' as this and this is why the Vertigo first pressings are so collectable - the overall sonic quality knocks the socks off any later pressing / reissue.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing of that I have no doubt.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The Keef cover is in excellent shape with only a little shelf wear.  The top edge of the front cover has only a little rubbing and the other top edge has barely any.  The bottom edges have only minimal rubbing.  The wide spine remains 100% legible with only a couple of minor marks and some light wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are very clean with very little wear and it's really only the opening edge on the back cover that has some obvious handling wear.  The front cover is in lovely condition without any marking and the back cover just has some wear next to the left edge as stated, not excessive though.  The inside of the gatefold is close to perfect with barely any of the fading / spotting that you so often see around the edges on these matt covers.  A very strong example overall.

The original poly-lined Vertigo Swirl Inner is super clean with barely any marking / fading and has no side splits or tears either.  It has only minimal creasing and only the poly-lining is a little loose inside.

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

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

VO 1 847 900 VTY // 886 775  1Y*1  420  1 1 1 7  //  886 775  2*Y*1  420  1 1 1 4

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 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!!