Fruupp : The Prince Of Heaven's Eyes A1/ B2 1st Press w/16 Page Booklet

This very collectable first pressing plays to a fantastic standard for the vast majority.  The clarity and depth on both sides is 'high end' and only one of the shorter tracks on S2 'Seaward Sunset' on S2 has a little interference as described below.  Aside from that the sonic quality is so strong and S1 in particular plays with breathtaking quality.  The vinyl is visually stunning and explains to a degree just why the audio is so impressive.

The gatefold is also in amazing condition and at first glance it looks 'as new'!  It is so clean and has no 'obvious' wear at all, a beautifully preserved cover for sure.  I have graded as Near Mint- but even that may be a too harsh!  It also includes the 16 page book which remains in perfect condition.  Not all the first pressings had the book and I am sure many were 'misplaced' over the years so to find one as pristine as this is a genuine rarity.  The original inner is also in excellent condition.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

DNLH 2 // A-1 ?6 / B-2 ?6

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / T1 intro Ex+ then Near Mint- / T3 VG+)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The 16 page book is Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and has been so carefully handled down the years.  It has an immaculate jet-black 'as new' look with no marks or scratches and only a small number of ultra faint hairlines that are certainly not easy to locate they are so minor.  The run out grooves are superb clean and the Dawn labels have no marking, just some spindle wear although not an excessive amount.

Play grading

The very quiet intro on 'It's All Up Now' has barely any static and as it builds the playback could hardly be any clearer - great clarity to begin with.  The following piano section plays so well and again has hardly any background static.  Farrelly's opening vocal plays beautifully and it continues to play with a clarity and definition that exemplifies just how well this album has been cared for.  There is quite simply no intrusion on the audio which in a way doesn't surprise me when you consider the stunning visual quality of the vinyl.  The vocals are so 'clean' and the instrumental section is 'as new' with no sign of any interference.  The closing vocal is just as impressive and even with a couple of very light ticks on the fade out I am confident in grading this as Mint- such is quality.

'Prince Of Darkness' is faultless from the very first note and from then on plays like it has never been played before!  The clarity and depth of the recording is outstanding and I could only 'detect' a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  I only mention this to be 'complete' in my grading - honestly you can hardly hear them!  The instrumental section is again so impressive - there are no ticks, clicks or pops and - and to the final note it plays with incredible clarity.  Another Mint- track for sure.

What can I say about 'Jaunting Car'?  It as 'shop fresh' as the day when it was first released back in '74.  No need to prevaricate here this is Mint in every way.

The intro on 'Annie Austere' is of the same standard and it continues to play with a clarity that defies its age.  I do not need to elaborate - from start to finish this plays with a precision that is second to none.  This is why we listen to vinyl as this definition and warmth cannot be replicated by any other medium.  A sublime Mint version to end the side.

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'Knowing You' on S2 has only very minimal static and a small number of light ticks on the intro but in my opinion this is not intrusive as this 'background' is still very quiet.  The quiet acoustic section that follows is nigh on perfect as is the opening vocal and it continues to play with great clarity.  Just a hint of barely audible static for a couple of brief moments and a couple of mega quiet ticks but in essence you cannot the audio.  There are a small number of very light ticks and a couple that are slightly louder right at the end but they are hardly intrusive.  The vast majority plays beautifully and if the intro is Ex+ then the remainder is Near Mint- I would say.

The intro on 'Crystal Brook' plays with real power and depth and is 'as new'.  The quiet 'flute' section then plays so clearly with barely any static and as the tempo increases the audio is faultless as is the opening vocal section.  From then on there is so much to admire!  The long instrumental passage is STUNNING with no intrusion whatsoever and the remainder has no 'background' either.  I think Mint- is deserved here.

For some reason 'Seaward Sunset' has some static on the intro and a slight distorted sound quality on the piano.  From then on it plays clearly with no clicks or pops but again there is a just a mild touch of distortion to be heard every now and then.  A strange one as the rest of the album is certainly not affected in this way so perhaps it's just how this track was recorded.  There is definitely no 'visual' reason for this on the vinyl.  Still very playable obviously but will grade as VG+ accordingly.

Normal service is resumed with 'The Perfect Wish' which plays with stunning quality from the word go.  In fact the entire opening instrumental (3 minutes plus?) is Mint in every way with no 'background' at all.  The first vocal is equally as good and it continues in the same precise way I am pleased to say.  The very brief quiet passage has only very minimal light static and the remainder plays to a very high standard with no actual interference.  There is a little inner groove distortion during the final vocal but again only minor and the remainder plays so well with no intrusion.  A stunning finish that plays with real depth and power - just a hint of distortion at the end and some crackle on the final note.  I will grade as Near Mint overall but the majority is certainly better than that.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with great clarity and definition for the vast majority.  There is some interference on 'Seaward Sunset' but as stated it is not massively intrusive and at least it's a relatively short track!  Aside from that the audio is so 'clean' and precise and S1 in particular is absolutely stunning!

The Gatefold, 16 page Book & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in fantastic condition with barely any shelf wear and has been so well preserved down the decades.  The edges are close to perfect with barely any rubbing and the wide spine is superb!  100% legible and hardly any wear on the corners plus the right hand corners are also in lovely condition.  The opening edge is again close to perfect with only one tiny 'white' scuff near the top which you can see on the inside panel (just!) but there is no actual handling wear.  The front cover is practically 'as new' with only one very small faint mark next to the title and the back cover is, if anything, even better!  The inside of the gatefold is in beautiful shape with only that tiny scuff as stated.  Perhaps the most impressive aspect about this cover is just how strong and robust it is and it has clearly not been handled very much.  The colours are still very strong and vibrant and this is without doubt a stunning example.

The original book is STUNNING with no creasing or marking - what a sublime example!  It is also accompanied by an A4 sheet from Earth Records describing how to protect the record.  I have just discovered the shop used to be Aylesbury in the 70s!  It is also in near perfection with just one tiny faint spot.

The original plain white die-cut inner has no side splits or tears, minimal creasing and only a little age related fading around the edges.

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

DNLH 2 // A-1 ?6 / B-2 ?6

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

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