DEEP PURPLE MACHINE HEAD 1971 UK PURPLE 1st PRESS C/W LYRIC INSERT TOP COPY!

Click images to enlarge

Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Deep Purple's brilliant studio album titled "Machine Head", Catalogue Number TPSA 7504. It's a 1972 UK stereo first pressing on the Purple record label, with a Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. laminated gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the first issue fold-out lyric insert and the correct company white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The record labels have "THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD..." text around the tops. The matrix numbers are the earliest TPSA 7504 A-1U and TPSA 7504 B-1U. The lyric insert is the first issue which only has 2 folds as opposed later issues which have 3 folds].

The sleeve is in EX condition with only the lightest signs of wear and a few tiny laminate creases near the edges. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. It's a beautifully well-preserved example of this iconic sleeve. Please study the supersize photos which form an important part of the description.

The solidly pressed record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. It is in EX(+) condition just a few wispy sleeve-removal type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. There are purely superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Purple labels are unmarked with only a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is particularly powerful and vibrant with lots of wonderful guitar riffs and truly sensational organ. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect.
 

The lyric insert is in unmarked EX condition with just a few minor creases but no splits or tears.

The inner sleeve has some age discoloration and a couple of creases, but no seam splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete first issue of Deep Purple's magnificent Machine Head album which plays flawlessly. It will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Tracked with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50