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John Lennon : Imagine 1U/1U 1st Press 1971 Inc Lyric Sleeve, Poster & Postcard

This first pressing plays with stunning clarity and definition on both sides and shows very little evidence of being played truth be told.  The clarity of sound is so impressive and there are no clicks or pops and next to no static either, the sonic quality is just stunning!  There are of course a number of sections and yet they all play so clearly, I heard only three light ticks on S2.  99% is 'as new' that's how good it is and this is without question one of the finest first pressings I have ever listened to.  The vinyl is visually stunning and has hardly been played based on the audio and the fact that there is barely any spindle wear.

The cover is in great condition with only a little wear in one corner and the lyric inner (so often missing) has only light creasing.  The original poster and postcard are immaculate, they look untouched!

PAS 10004 // YEX 865 - 1U / YEX 866 - 1U // GPR 1 / GLG 2 // PORKY & PECKO etched on the run outs

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint+)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint-) 

The cover is Ex++

The lyric inner inner is Ex+

The poster and postcard are Mint

The labels are Mint-

The vinyl is in great condition and still has a very impressive glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and only under a certain light can I see a small number of very faint hairlines.  There is no groove wear or 'fading/clouding' on the surface and the labels are super clean with marking and only a tiny amount of barely visible spindle wear on S2, nothing on S2!

Play grading  

The piano intro on the classic 'Imagine' plays so clearly with next to no static and the opening vocal is the same.  As the percussion 'kicks in' the quality is still there and whilst there are two ticks at the start of the second verse they are extremely quiet and non-intrusive.  It continues to play with outstanding clarity and there are no clicks, pops or static.  There are 3 or 4 mega light ticks at the end but when I say they are barely audible I mean it!  I will grade as Near Mint+ as it is so close to the perfect start.

'Crippled Inside' plays with stunning audio from the first note to the last with no interference.  Audio does not get any better than this!  This is Mint in every sense of the word.

Again the piano intro on 'Jealous Guy' provides more evidence of a vinyl so carefully looked after down the years, the playback is perfect, and Lennon's first vocal is just as 'clean'.  It continues to play with a clarity of sound that could not be improved upon and right to the end it plays with flawless precision.  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is very much deserved.  The definitive version of this perennial classic.

'It's So Hard' is another track that plays with great clarity and depth throughout with no 'background' whatsoever., not even a dust tick.  Pure Mint audio all the way including the fade out.

'I Don't Want To Be A Soldier' plays with superb quality and it's the power of the audio that really stands out.  Despite being the final track on the side there is no inner groove distortion.  The audio definition is very impressive - there is no 'muddiness' to the sound and you can hear each note so succinctly.  The final quiet section also plays so clearly with barely any static.  Mint- is fair here.

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S2 has a click on the lead in grooves just before 'Give Me Some Truth' begins but once it does the playback is faultless.  The clarity and depth of the audio is once again first class and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The delicate 'Oh My Love' plays with STUNNING clarity with no interference.  Yes there is one light static tick on the intro and another towards the end but that does classify as interference.  It plays beautifully with only a handful of insignificant dust ticks and you would be very impressed if you had just bought this brand new - this record is 52 years old very soon!  This has to be the 'cleanest' version I have heard for years and Mint- is well deserved.

'How Do You Sleep?' has just one mega light tick on the intro and then plays with imperious quality with no sign of any interference.  The audio is so sharp and precise - the mid instrumental is 'as new' and that applies to the entire track.  Mint

'How?' is almost as good.  Almost!  There are three ticks at the beginning of the second verse that are a little more obvious but still not loud I hasten to add.  They are not clicks in my opinion.  From then on it plays very clearly with just one more light tick half way through and a click just as the music finishes.  I think Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Oh Yoko!' plays with great depth and clarity throughout with literally no interference.  The definition of the audio is on a level you so rarely find today and 'as new' is the best way to describe it.  A superb Mint finish to this classic album.

In summary this first pressing could hardly play any better.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio has to be up there with the best I have ever heard and arguably you could say there is no interference.  Yes three light ticks on S2 but in no way do they intrude on the quality of the listen.  The audio is incredibly clean and fresh on both sides and has hardly been played I would say.  A great find!

The Cover & Lyric Inner

The laminated cover is in lovely condition with barely any wear.  In fact the only real wear is on the top right corner but is only minimal, just minor wear and a small crease.  On the reverse side you can see a small crease again and one tiny 'nick' on the opening edge just below it.  Aside from that it is near perfect with no other rubbing on the edges and spine and the front and back cover are in pristine condition.  There are just a handful of the usual faint creases next to the spine.  A fine example overall.

The lyric inner for once has no side splits, tears or marking and only minimal creasing mainly on the top edges.

The Poster and Postcard

They are both in perfect condition with no marking or creasing.  The poster looks like it has never been opened before!

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

PAS 10004 // YEX 865 - 1U / YEX 866 - 1U // GPR 1 / GLG 2 // PORKY & PECKO etched on the run outs

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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

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

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 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!