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.

ELP Emerson, Lake & Palmer : Trilogy A-1U / B-2U 1st Press E.J. Day Cover

This rare ? first pressing plays with stunning quality on both sides and hardly any interference.  S1 could hardly play any better, it is immaculate, and 'The Endless Enigma (Part 1 & 2)' are the best versions I have ever heard.  S2 is not far behind - there is just a staticy 'moment' and one light tick on the ...Bolero instrumental but aside from that the clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive.  This is from the same collection that was looked after so well by the previous owner.  The vinyl is indeed in superb condition and looks like it has never been played if I'm honest.

The E.J. Day cover is the best I have ever seen with no real wear, it is stunning.  It has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and has very only minimal 'rub' on the bottom edges.  I'm not sure if the Plastic Bags... inner sleeve is the original but it is in great condition with very little wear.

Now I said this is possibly a rare first pressing because on Discogs there is not an A1U / B2U pressing to be found!  A2U / B2U yes but not this one.  Could be a very rare one!  It obviously has the pink rim / palm tree Island labels has 'Fugue' on the inside cover and 'The Fugue' on the S1 label.

ILPS 9186  A - 1U  RH 1   /   ILPS 9186  B - 2U  RM 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 - T1 ranges between Near Mint & Mint- / T2 Mint- / T3 Near Mint-

The E.J. Day gatefold is is Near Mint

The Plastic Bags... inner is Ex+

The labels are Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright light it is even difficult to make out any hairlines it is that clean!  Perhaps a couple at most.  There is no groove or surface wear and you would not be disappointed if you had just bought this brand new!  The run out grooves are pristine as are the Island labels which have no marking or spindle wear.

Play grading

The very gentle percussive intro on 'The Endless Enigma (Part 1)' plays with stunning clarity and the keyboard section is just as clean.  I mean what a start!  There is one minor static in the next section but the clarity of sound throughout this opening section is phenomenal.  As the volume increases there is no drop in quality and the opening vocal section is basically perfect with just one barely audible static.  It continues to play with such a sharp defined sound, this truly is audio of the highest calibre.  Lake's vocal is so strong and clear - there are of course a number of quiet passages and yet the clarity is spectacular!  The closing instrumental is flawless, the piano section is 'as new' without so much as a dust tick.  This is easily a Mint- version and even adding the minus seems a little mean!  

'Fugue' also plays with incredible quality all the way through.  There is just one very quiet static on the opening section and another towards the end so I will say Mint- again.  However, for a piano piece to play with such clarity is a genuine rarity and especially on a 53 year old record!

'The Endless Enigma (Part 2)' keeps up the standard and plays with STUNNING audio.  I know I can over-enthuse a little (!) but the sonic quality here is astonishing.  It all grades as Mint but the powerful vocal end section is particular is breath-taking!  Wow!

The acoustic intro on 'From The Beginning' plays beautifully without any background and the opening vocal is equal to that.  This high end level is kept up as it progresses, the clarity and definition of the audio is just immaculate.  The second vocal as strong as the first and then the long instrumental is 100% perfect.  Mint

The entire intro on 'The Sheriff' plays without fault and Lake's opening vocal has no intrusion either.  Once again the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is comparable to an unplayed record.  Superb power throughout also with no sign of any distortion.  Another Mint track.

'Hoedown' ends S1 with genuine quality once more.  There is no interference and the playback is very strong and clear through every instrumental section.  Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

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The intro on 'Trilogy' plays perfectly and then the first piano piece has no intrusion either, incredible clarity!  The vocal section plays so clearly with only a couple of minor statics and the final piano section again plays with sublime clarity and barely any static.  There is just one brief quiet static sound towards the end.  I would grade this first 'part' as Near Mint and then the next section is stunning in every way.  The power, depth and definition is superb and 'as new' sums it up.  The third part with Lake on vocals again is of the same high end standard with no intrusion and no distortion.  These final two sections grade as Mint and Mint :-)

'Living Sin' has no interference from start to finish and once again the power and depth of the audio is undiminished.  Mint

The quiet intro on 'Abaddon's Bolero' plays with great clarity, practically 'as new' with barely any static.  Around the 45 second mark there is a very brief static 'moment' followed by a dull tick and from then on it plays with outstanding quality and there are no clicks or pops.  A modicum of very light static around 3 minutes but obviously nothing intrusive, it is very quiet, and one minor tick soon after 5 minutes or so.  As the volume builds the playback just gets better and better!  There is no inner groove distortion and the closing section in particular is stunning.  Overall Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The E.J. Day cover is in fantastic condition with no obvious wear.  In fact the only 'wear' albeit minimal is some very minor rubbing on the bottom edges but that is me being picky!  The top edges, wide spine and opening edge are incredibly clean and the front and back cover are pristine without any marking.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate, as good as new, and this superb cover easily deserves a Near Mint grade.

The poly-lined Plastic Bags inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and hardly any marking around the edges.  Very little creasing also.  There is a 2 written in one top corner.

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

ILPS 9186  A - 1U  RH 1   /   ILPS 9186  B - 2U  RM 1

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 : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £13.95 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!!