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Gentle Giant : Octopus 1Y1/2Y1 1st Press 1972 Vertigo

This first pressing plays with STUNNING quality on both sides with zero interference not even a tick!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is comparable to an un-played record but as this a first Vertigo pressing these attributes are further enhanced you could say.  This is exactly why the Vertigo pressings are so collectable today - the sonic quality is so much more impressive and especially on such a pristine vinyl such as this one.  As always I have play tested each track in full and they all play 'as new' which I know is a bold statement but one I am confident in making.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has only a little spindle wear.  This is categorically a FINAL UPGRADE pressing for sure. 

The gatefold is in excellent condition with just some of usual fading around the edges but apart from that has hardly any other shelf wear.  The original inner is also in excellent order.

This first press has the Alucard publishing credits on the labels.  As you can see it is the earliest first pressing also with a 111/111 index - may have been first off the press!

6360080   1Y//1▽ 420  1 1 1   04

6360080   2Y//1 ▽ 420  1 1 1   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has the same glossy sheen it would have had when first released over 50 years ago.  There are no marks or scratches and no dulling of the surface and no groove wear either.  All I can detect under a strong light are some very faint hairlines that you always find but really it could not look any cleaner.  The iconic Vertigo labels are very clean and whilst Side A does have some very faint 'spots' they can only be seen when you tilt the record at a certain angle.  Side B is in great condition and both sides have only minimal spindle wear.  A superb example overall.

Play grading

The lead in on S1 is silent and then the quiet opening vocal on 'The Advent Of Panurge' plays beautifully with no 'background', the clarity is exceptional.  The instrumental piece then plays with stunning clarity and depth and the first high octane vocal is is equally as impressive.  It continues in exactly the same way and I cannot praise this opening track enough.  The sonic quality is 'as new' through every section and the final verse / instrumental / chorus end the track in sublime style.  This is easily a Mint start this classic album, no exaggeration.

'Raconteur, Troubadour' plays to the same standard with...no intrusion.  A couple of very light ticks after the first vocal but you could easily miss them they are so quiet!  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and again the depth of the audio is so strong, already you can tell this vinyl has been so carefully looked after down the years and hardly played.  The mid instrumental section is a case in point - not even a single dust tick!  This deserves to be graded as Mint such is the quality.

So far the dead wax between each track has been silent and the same applies to 'A Cry For Everyone'.  The brief piano intro has no interference and the first vocal plays with great power and definition.  Again there are no negatives as every vocal and instrumental section play 'as new' with literally no intrusion.  A more powerful track and yet no distortion.  Another Mint track no need for a minus even!

'Knots' ends S1 as it started.  The vocals are unbelievably clean which is what you want with this vocally driven track.  For a final track the clarity, depth and resonance of the audio is STUNNING!  A 'busy' track but the sonic quality is equal to how it would have sounded back in '72.  From the first note to the last including the fade it is Mint in every single way.  What a side of music it could not play any better and I say that with complete conviction.

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The 'intro' on 'The Boys In The Band' plays perfectly and this instrumental plays with stunning precision throughout with no sign of any interference.  The two vital ingredients clarity and depth are 10/10 here and it provides a Mint start to S2.

'Dog's Life' has just one dust tick on the intro and the first vocal is crystal clear.  It continues to play with pristine quality and and again there is just no 'background' to contend.  Just like S1 the clarity of sound is spectacular through every section and the brief silent section near the end is totally silent!  The final strings sections round of the track perfectly with no 'background' on the fade out.  Mint

The beautiful 'Think Of Me With Kindness' plays with stunning precision from the get go.  The gentle piano intro has no 'background' and the opening vocal is just as good.  From then on it is 'as new' you will not be surprised to hear.  Perfect clarity and no 'muddiness' to the sound.  It basically plays as nature intended!  With not so much as a dust tick this is the most 'complete' version I have ever heard and it goes without saying that Mint is the only grade I can give.

The opening instrumental on 'River' plays with great clarity and power and the first vocal does not disappoint either.  No need to dissect each section as every vocal and instrumental play with unrivalled quality.  Despite being the final track the sonic quality is on a par with the preceding tracks and the powerful guitar solo is a case in point with no distortion at all.  The remainder plays to perfection and once again Mint is 100% deserved.

In summary I have to say this is easily the finest version of this classic album that I have ever listened to.  To put it simply there is NO 'background' on either side not even a tick.  A handful of very quiet dust ticks but even they are kept to an absolute minimum.  It is no exaggeration to say this plays 'as new' from start to finish with a clarity, depth and power that could not be any more impressive.  A FINAL UPGRADE first pressing in every respect.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly and has clearly not been handled very much.  The top edges are in perfect shape and only the bottom edge of the back cover has minor rubbing.  The wide spine is near perfect with only one tiny rub and has only very minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in pretty good shape also with only a little wear on the bottom two and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  As is common with this LP the front cover does have some fading around the edges and there does seem to be a line running down the right side just over 2cms in.  This can't have been caused by tape as there is no marking/damage on the surface or tape residue.  Aside from the cover is very clean with only a couple of minor marks on the right edge.  The back cover has some light fading around the edges plus some faint ringwear and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking at all.  A fine example overall.

By 1972 not all Vertigo pressings came with a swirl inner and this one includes a 'Plastic Bags...' poly-lined inner (dated 0972) which has no side splits or tears, barely any marking and only minimal creasing.  Great condition.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

6360080   1Y//1▽ 420  1 1 1   04

6360080   2Y//1 ▽ 420  1 1 1   04

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

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!