A Night At The Opera 1st 2/2 Pressing

This genuine first pressing plays with immaculate audio and comes complete with a superb gatefold and the original picture inner with no splits!  The audio is absolutely incredible for a genuine first 2/2 pressing!

This has Blair's (not 'Blairs cut') etched onto the run out grooves as per all the 2/2 pressings.

EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // RMM 3 / RAH 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

 The gatefold is Ex+

The picture inner is Near Mint

The labels are Mint

  This is a visually stunning vinyl the likes of which are rarely seen today.  It has an immaculate glossy sheen and looks practically 'as new'.  All I could detect was one mega tiny faint hairline on S1 and there are certainly no marks or scratches.  This is a beautiful record that plays as good as it looks and has only a couple of very small spindle traces on each side.  This has only been played two maybe three times in my opinion, it is just the cleanest 2/2 first press I have seen in many a year.  It also has super clean labels and run out grooves.  Look no further for an immaculate first pressing!

Play grading

The lead in grooves have practically no static and you are immediately thinking this is going to play well - it does not disappoint!  The quiet intro on 'Death On Two Legs' is one of the cleanest I have heard in a very long time and has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  It then plays with a clarity and power that can only be described as Mint the audio is absolutely superb.  There is no interference, no distortion and for a genuine first 2/2 pressing this is superlative 'high end' audio.  A truly fantastic start to this classic album.

'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' also has Mint quality audio the clarity is stunning.  Not even a solitary dust tick on the piano intro!  I'm already running out of adjectives for the incredible audio here as 'I'm In Love With My Car' also plays 'as new' the power and sonic quality is astounding.  What is impressive on this track is that there is no distortion on the top level whatsoever.  This is a vinyl that has been so well cared for and has hardly been played I would say.

This wonderful definition continues with 'You're My Best Friend' and '39' that both play with a clarity and depth that can only be described as Mint once more.  There is just no interference anywhere not even on the quiet intros and fade outs.  Wow!!

'Sweet Lady' keeps up this fantastic standard and 'rocks out' loud and true with no distortion and yes it plays 'as new'!  The strong bass sound here is so strong and this has to be most dynamic version of this track I have heard in many a year.

The closing track 'Seaside Rendezvous' is often affected by distortion but I can confidently say this is the most impressive version I have ever heard on a 2/2 first pressing.  There is minimal distortion, barely any really, and there are certainly no clicks or pops.  In fact there are no clicks or pops across the entire or static or crackle for that matter.  This is audio of an immaculate standard without doubt.

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'The Prophet's Song' intro begins superbly with no intrusive static at all.  This is a rarity as it regularly plays with some 'background' due to it being so quiet and the fact that the opening grooves on any vinyl generally has some marking/scratches/fingerprints.  Not here though!  I heard only a couple of mega quiet dust ticks that is all.  It then continues to play with sublime power and depth and not one iota of interference.  Stunning!  There are two light dust ticks as the 'now I know' section starts but thereafter it plays as Mint the clarity is spectacular.  Through to the end this prog classic plays with incredible clarity and no interference at all and is without doubt one of the most impressive versions I have ever heard.

The acoustic lead in to 'Love Of My Life' is immaculate in its 'quietness'.  There is the odd non-intrusive dust tick but there is nothing that interferes with the fantastic clarity on offer.  It plays with a quality that is just so rare on a first pressing that is now years old!  It plays nigh on perfectly and the same can be said for the whole of this timeless ballad.  There was not one single click or pop during playback the warmth and depth of the audio is 'high end'.

'Good Company' plays to the same impeccable standard with no 'background', just stunning audio at its most pure.

  'Bohemian Rhapsody' just has to be heard to be believed!  From the first groove the clarity of sound is quite simply mind-blowing.  This plays as clear as the day it was first released, a bold statement to make but one I am confident in stating.  I will always mention any 'imperfection' and I always very closely to the speakers with a very critical 'ear' so if there was any 'background' worth of mention I would say.  The 'operatic/rock' sections play display immense power with no distortion and in fact the only 'background' I heard was a touch of mega light minimal static on the end section.  No clicks, pops or crackle though and still a superb listen.  

'God Save The Queen' ends the side with no interference and is another Mint track providing a stunning finale to this iconic album.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive album without question.  The sonic clarity and separation throughout is stunning and for a 2/2 first press to have no clicks or pops, well no interference of any kind, is such a rarity today.  The embossed gatefold is also in lovely condition and the picture inner has no splits!

The Gatefold

The embossed gatefold is in lovely condition overall.  The edges have no shelf wear whatsoever and the wide spine is similar with only one small indent mark and remains 100% legible.  The corners are also in great order with no rubbing or creasing and the opening edge has hardly any handling wear. The front cover is extremely clean when you consider its 'white nature' and has only one small blue ink spot and a tiny mark towards the top of the spine.  There is no obvious discolouration at all which is a rarity.  The back cover is similar with only light print marking near the top edge, nothing major.  The inside of the gatefold is in immaculate 'as new' condition.  A superb example of this iconic gatefold.

Picture inner

The first thing that needs to be said is that it has no splits - such a rarity!  Just one mega small area where the card is wearing a little thin on the bottom edge, but it is not a split!  This inner has the three cut corners as per all the first pressings.  The edges have hardly any rubbing and there are only a couple of tiny corner rubs.  Both sides are extremely clean with no marking at all.  A superb example!

The labels

They are supremely clean with no marking or writing and look 'as new' they are in superb condition.  With only a couple of mega faint and tiny spindle trails I have not seen first press labels as impressive as this in a long time.

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

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

EMTC 103 // YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // RMM 3 / RAH 5

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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