I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.
Queen : A Night At The Opera 2/2 1st Press

This genuine first press plays with incredible sonic quality on both sides with no interference.  S1 is flawless, there is not even a single tick let alone anything more, and S2 just has 4/5 inconsequential statics that have no impact on the audio.  There are so many highlights here - all of S1 (!) but then the all time classics 'The Prophet's Song' and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' both play with stunning precision.  I have also never heard 'Love Of My Life' play with such a clean sound, the clarity is truly exceptional.  Having played every track in full I am confident in my grading and it easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE archive first press.

The embossed gatefold is so clean with barely any marking and is definitely one of the best I have seen in many a year.  The same applies to the original picture inner which has no splits anywhere!

As this is a genuine first press it has the 2/2 matrix and Blair's is etched on the run out grooves as opposed to Mr. Blair's Cut which you find on later pressings.

EMTC 103 // YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-2 // PT 1 / MO 4 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The picture inner is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is visually stunning with an lovely glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  All I can locate under a strong light are a small number of very faint hairlines but even they are difficult to find!  The run out grooves are very clean and you can easily read the matrix info and the iconic labels are unmarked with only a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The quiet piano intro on 'Death On Two Legs' plays with exceptional clarity and I only detected the quietest of very quiet static right at the start.  As the volume increases the playback is so strong and deep and the next part of this instrumental plays with stunning precision  also.  The opening vocal and chorus are 'as new' and it continues to play with a sonic quality that is second to none.  I cannot emphasise enough how well this classic plays - the audio is so strong and powerful and there is no distortion on the top end.  Every note is so clean and precise and Freddie's vitriol has never sounded better!  To the final note it plays with outstanding quality and Mint- is richly deserved.  The minus is only there because of the brief barely audible static at the beginning.

'Lazing On A Sunday Afternoon' plays to the same high end with no intrusion.  The jaunty piano intro is perfect and Freddie's opening vocal is equal to that.  From start to finish there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  Just pure Mint audio.

'I'm In Love With My Car' again shows just how well this vinyl has been cared for.  I never really much cared for this track in my 'youth' as the B side of you know what but I've grown up since then!  It's an undoubted classic for sure and I am pleased to say it plays with phenomenal audio throughout.  The audio definition is up there with the best I have ever heard and there is no distortion.  Roger's voice is so strong and the accompanying music is just superb.  Mint all the way including the fade out / car exit!

The electric piano intro on 'You're My Best Friend' has no background and the opening vocal is flawless.  It continues in the same exact way and again the sonic quality is out of this world.  The clarity and depth of the audio is stunning and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint also.

The entire acoustic intro on '39' plays perfectly and that is a rarity.  Brian's first vocal is crystal clear and it continues to play with great accuracy.  The 'vocal' mid section is perfect just as 'clean' and it progresses in the same exact way.  The mid vocal 'section' is 'as new' and this applies to the entire track.  Even the brief second of silence near the end and the final acoustic note have no background.  Mint

'Sweet Lady' may not be a fan favourite but it nonetheless plays with exceptional power and depth with zero intrusion on the audio.  As strong and clear as when first released in '75 the playback is quite simply Mint from start to finish.  Sometimes you just have to sit back and admire the production of a record and the sonic quality it has to offer.  I mean the whole track plays with genuine quality but the end instrumental is just incredible!  The depth, power and warmth of the audio is immense.

'Seaside Rendezvous' is always affected by inner groove distortion I find and it's just a matter of how much or how little.  This is without question the cleanest version I have ever listened to and that is no exaggeration, the clarity of sound is so impressive.  Different systems of course play differently but if there is any distortion it is so so minimal and I am probably doing myself a disservice by even suggesting there is any!  I will say Mint- although the minus is probably a tad harsh!  

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The 'wind' / acoustic intro on 'The Prophet's Song' plays so clearly with only a couple of very quiet statics - rarely does it play so well and especially on a first 2/2 pressing.  Remember this album is 50 years old next year!  The opening vocal is faultless and it proceeds to play with a sonic quality that is just STUNNING!  The first 'chorus' is 'as new' and the power and depth of sound just envelops the room in all its grandeur!  This really is audio of the highest calibre.  There are 3/4 non-intrusive light statics at the beginning of the acapella Now I know... section but the rest of this vocal plays with sublime precision.  The clarity during the La la section is staggering!  As Brian returns the playback is so strong and powerful, the depth off the scale, and final vocal section again demonstrates just why the first pressings are so collectable.  The acoustic finish has no background and overall Mint- I believe is an honest appraisal of the audio.  A stunning version.

The intro on timeless 'Love Of My Life' is so often affected by static but that is certainly not the case here.  It plays beautifully with only one mega quiet static and the first verse is just as clean.  From then on it plays with clarity and warmth that makes you think the record has never been played before!  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with crystal clear audio with literally no background, not even a dust tick.  This has to be the most 'complete' version I have ever heard and Mint is infinitely deserved.

'Good Company' keeps up the standard and plays with wonderful clarity and precision all the way through.  No interference and Mint

The opening verse on 'Bohemian Rhapsody' is so close to perfect with only a couple of mega quiet statics.  In fact I'm sure many would say perfect as they are so quiet and you could easily miss them truth be told.  The next verses are just as impressive and so far this all time classic is playing rather well!  It continues to play with unbelievable quality and that standard is kept up during Brian's solo.  The piano intro on the 'operatic' section has not one dust tick even and it then plays with incredible clarity and power in equal measure.  There is no distortion on the top end and it just could not play any better.  Wow the sonic quality is stunning!  The iconic 'heavy section' plays with exceptional power and definition and of course there is no interference.  The final emotive vocal then plays 'as new' and I only detected one mega quiet static during the instrumental bridge.  I cannot overstate just how well this classic plays and it is easily up there with the best that I have ever heard.  I will say Mint- but you know...

There is one light static tick in the dead wax and then 'God Save The Queen' ends the album in fine style with no intrusion on the audio.  A Mint conclusion for sure.

In summary this album plays to a standard that is rarely found today and having played every track in full I can vouch for that.  Along with so many of the other Queen LPs that I am selling this first pressing has been so well well preserved and in essence has no interference.  S1 plays with incredible precision and S2 has only a handful of minor statics that surely do not qualify as interference!  This is a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing in every way and in conjunction with a STUNNING cover this is an album that will grace any high end collection.

The Gatefold & Picture Inner

The G & L embossed cover is in lovely condition with barely any wear.  It has been so well preserved and has retained its original 'white' colour with hardly any marking which is a rarity.  The edges and wide spine are super clean and there is no obvious corner wear either.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is incredibly clean with only two tiny specks and a small faint 'line' above the crest.  The back cover is just as impressive with just one small faint blemish and the inside only a couple of specks and very minor 'greying' top left.  The inside of the gatefold is near perfect with only a couple of minor marks.  This iconic cover has clearly not been handled very much down the years and is easily one of the cleanest I have ever seen.  A stunning example.
For once the original picture inner (with three cut corners) has no side splits and even rarer has no bottom edge split!  The thumb notch area has no creasing and there is only a very small 'white' ringwear mark at the bottom of each side and a couple of insignificant corner rubs.  It really is in great condition.
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / 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 // PT 1 / MO 4 // BLAIR'S etched on both run out grooves

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

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Great seller and great vinyl record, professionally packaged. I’m very satisfied with my purchase and will certainly buy again!

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 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 : £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

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!