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 2nd press 1969 Vertigo

This very early second pressing plays with superb audio with only minimal interference.  This is at the beginning of the second track on S2 but it is only momentary and apart from that the vinyl plays like a dream!  The power and depth of the audio is outstanding and the vinyl is in great condition also.

The unlaminated cover is easily one of the best I have seen and has only minimal wear on the corners.  For once it has retained its original shape and structure perfectly, just look at the spine!  The original Vertigo inner (dated 1070) is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.

This is classed as a second pressing because it has no 'A Philips Record Product' on either the label or on the inside of the gatefold.  It still has the first press matrix though.

886 775  1Y * 1  420 1 0  2 2

886 775  2Y * 1  420  0 1  2 4

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 VG- for 4/5 seconds)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex+

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with just one tiny barely visible scratch on S2 and you really do need a magnifying glass to see it!  Aside from that I can only see a small number of faint hairlines and there is obviously no groove wear or 'bag rash'.  The Vertigo labels are unmarked and have only a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has not such much as a dust tick and then the intro on 'The Kettle' plays with deep powerful audio and no intrusion.  Litherland's opening vocal section just has one very quiet tick (easily missed!) and it continues to play 'as new' with no interference.  The mid instrumental is so strong and dynamic - the entire track is very high octane and yet the playback is so clean and there is zero distortion on the top end.  The end section is a prime example of that.  This is a Mint- start to this classic album.

'Elegy' plays with stunning quality from the word go. Every vocal and instrumental section play with such precision and there is not one single negative.  Litherland may not have the strongest vocal but it sounds good here!  Mint

The more low key intro on 'Butty's Blues' is flawless and the opening vocal section is perfect.  This high end standard is maintained through every section and again there is no background to mention.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static this is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is again deserved.

'The Machine Demands A Sacrifice' is superb!  The intro and opening vocal have no interference and it proceeds in the same way.  The original sonic quality is still very much there and as the volume decreases to near silence into the instrumental section the playback is crystal clear.  Rare to hear it play like this.  As it builds there is still no intrusion, the clarity of sound is incredible and right to the final 'note' it plays with infinite precision.  Definitely a Mint end to the side.

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'January's Search' the first part of 'The Valentyne Suite' plays with imperious quality throughout.  The quiet intro plays perfectly and from then on it plays loud and true without any background.  Once again you really notice the clean sound and the depth and warmth here.  The quieter mid section is faultless Reeves' bass section that signals the start of the final section has only a couple of minor statics.  As Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith come back in the playback is so strong and Greenslade's Hammond organ is stunning also!  This entire 'busy' section plays with STUNNING sonic quality and this opening track easily grades as Mint-

The segue into 'February's Valentyne' is perfect although the intro does have a handful of ticks / light clicks.  It is brief and really not that intrusive and from that point on you cannot fault the audio.  Great separation again - 'busy' and yet each note is so clean and clinical.  The end section is phenomenal, incredible depth and power here.  I will have to grade the intro as VG- but the rest is Mint for sure.

The intro on 'The Grass Is Always Greener' plays with pristine audio and the next section is on the same level.  It continues in the same way - the bass section is perfect and Litherland's guitar solo section is breath-taking.  Hiseman also adding so much power on this entire section and it just could not play any better, it is fantastic!  Blast it to loud the sonic quality is exceptional!  As the pace slows the playback does not falter and the quieter passage plays without fault.  The end section has no background either and the final percussive note has not even a single dust tick on the fade out.  This is a superb track, the definitive version you could say.  Mint all the way.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The cover is in superb condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have only a small amount of rubbing and the spine is as wide as it ever was!  It has just a little wear on the corners and the other corners have only minimal wear.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is unmarked and the back cover is just as impressive, you can only see minor corner rub.  The inside of the gatefold is super clean also with no marking.  This is a fine example of this cover.

The original poly-lined Vertigo inner is in great condition with no side splits and only a little age related fading around the edge and some light creasing.  One tiny 'nick' on the top edge also.

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

886 775  1Y * 1  420 1 0  2 2

886 775  2Y * 1  420  0 1  2 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

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

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Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

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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 : £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!!