Gentle Giant 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This rare and collectable first pressing plays to a standard that is so rarely found today.  The audio is 'as new' and as my regular customers know I grade honestly and with integrity.  The playback is outstanding!  Not only that but visually you would be forgiven for thinking it had just been released!  It is a true FINAL UPGRADE example for certain.

It was released in 1970 on the 'swirl' Vertigo label with Vertigo located under the spindle hole on the label.  Another way to 'spot' a first press is that 'Alucard' is shown as 'Alcard' on the label.

The iconic gatefold is in excellent condition with only very minor wear and the 'swirl' inner is also in great order.

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The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original 'swirl' inner is Ex+

  This is one of the finest 50 year old vinyls I have ever seen!  It has a stunning mirror-like glossy sheen and has no marks, scratches or hairlines.  It is beautiful!  It is not in my interests to over-grade any aspect of any vinyl and this is without question the most impressive first pressing (visually and audibly) that I have owned.  In fact it is better than any pressing that I have ever heard!  With only a couple of mega small faint spindle traces on each side this has hardly been played and that is reflected in the 'high end' quality of the audio.  The run out grooves and labels are also in sublime condition.  A genuine rarity.

Play grading

With no static on the lead in grooves you just know this is going to play well...and it does not disappoint!  The quiet intro on 'Giant' intro plays with incredible clarity you would think it was pressed only pressed yesterday!  From then on the playback cannot be faulted - the depth and power here is outstanding and I have never heard a version as 'complete' as this.  The quieter sections play beautifully and from start to finish there is no interference of any kind.  In my opinion this is 'as new' so I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint it is breathtaking!  Having played the first track I can categorically say this record has hardly ever been played.

'Funny Ways' plays to the same 'high end' standard and the only 'background' is a faint static sound on the fourth line of the first verse.  Aside from that it plays with amazing quality and again the clarity of the audio is phenomenal - I cannot adequately explain just how 'perfect' the audio is, so rare on a genuine first pressing.  The quieter sections have no static (or worse!) and the louder passages play with such sharp definition and no distortion.  This is easily worthy of a Mint- grade.

The intro on 'Alucard' plays with perfect precision and it continues in the same way.  It is already getting difficult to describe this audio in an original way!  The definition and power of the audio is 'as new' and an example of the sublime clarity is during the very quiet section prior to the final verse.  There is not even a dust tick!  To the end it plays as 'cleanly' as it did 50 years ago - astonishing!  Mint from start to finish.

I am delighted to say 'Isn't It Quiet And Cold?' is of the same immaculate standard.  The quiet 'strings' intro plays beautifully with no 'background' and the vocal throughout cannot be faulted.  The music really stands out here - the clarity on the 'strings' is STUNNING!  You would just not believe the sonic quality here and quite frankly I'm shaking my head in disbelief!  The super quiet ending is so 'clean' and you can clearly hear the footsteps right at the end.  They are barely audible generally as there is always some other 'background' noise but not here!  Mint again and wow what a side!

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The acoustic intro on 'Nothing At All' is stunning with only a couple of dust ticks and as the vocal begins this clarity is maintained.  Thereafter it plays as per S1 with only a very small number of totally non-intrusive dust ticks.  The clarity is sublime and the 'louder' verse is 'as new' with no distortion at all.  The drum solo is the 'cleanest' I have ever heard, it plays with superb precision, as does the quiet piano interlude that follows.  This instrumental section continues in the way and the final verse is 100% perfect.  There are only a couple of light static ticks on the final note but without question this deserves a Mint- grade.  This is such a melodic track and the harmonies play as well as they did when first released.

'Why Not' plays with infinite precision from the very first note.  The sonic quality cannot be underestimated and the power and depth of the audio is just FANTASTIC.  I heard only one dust tick and as per the rest of the album there are no clicks, pops or crackle.  Mint all the way!

'The Queen' ends the album with superlative quality and no interference whatsoever.  Mint again.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE album is without doubt the most stunning example of this first pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  I have said all that I have needed to above but I will just reiterate that it is patently obvious this immaculate looking vinyl has hardly ever been played.  The sonic quality is out of this world and 99% is 'as new' no exaggeration.  There are no clicks or pops, only a very small number of inconsequential dust ticks and just two seconds of mega light static on S1!  What an album!  This is why I am starting at the price I am because it is just so darn good!  I am of course open to reasonable offers :-)

The Gatefold

This iconic gatefold is in superb shape with only very minimal wear and is easily one of the finest examples I have seen.  The top edges have barely any rubbing and there is only a little more on the bottom edge of the front cover.  The wide spine is extremely clean with only a small number of white 'specks'.  All corners have very little rubbing and the opening edge has hardly any handling wear.  Both the front and back cover are so clean and have no marking and only 3/4 minor creases around the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is again in lovely condition with only a couple of faint fade marks on the lyric side.  This is a very impressive gatefold and it would be difficult to find a better one.  Superb!

The Labels

The famous 'Vertigo' labels are almost 'as new' with no marking or writing and hardly any spindle wear as stated.  They could not look any better!

The 'Swirl' Inner

The original poly-lined 'swirl' inner has no side splits or marking and only light age related fading around the edges.  There is one small 'nick' on the top edge but very little creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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6360020  2Y // 1? 420 05 11 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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