Queen : The Works A1/B1 1st Press

These A1/B1 genuine first pressings rarely come up for sale these days and especially in this condition!  The audio is stunning and there is not one single click or pop, the clarity from beginning to end can hardly be faulted.

The cover and lyric inner are also very 'clean' and have been very well preserved down the years.  A superb example of this now 35 year old album.

EMC 24 0014 1 // A1 / B1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 3 Near Mint+)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (track 5 Near Mint-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This is one stunning vinyl!  It has an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches and I cannot detect any obvious hairlines either!  I suspect it has hardly been played as there are only two mega small spindle traces on the S2 label and nothing on S1.  The clarity also lends further weight to that theory.  The run out grooves are also super clean.  The vinyl does have a very small 'lift' on one edge but it is definitely not a warp and only causes a very minor undulation.  Very few records lie completely flat and I must stress it is only very very minor!

Play grading  

S1 has a depth and resonance that is so rarely found today and you can immediately tell it has hardly been played.  Starting with the classic 'Radio Ga Ga' I cannot emphasise enough how beautifully it plays!  The audio is 'crystal clear' Mint with not so much as a dust tick i.e. no 'background' at all.  'Tear It Up' also plays to the same standard and for once there is no distortion to be heard.  'It's A Hard Life' is again stunning - the 'operatic' intro is faultless and the piano section that follows has only the lightest of static for 3/4 seconds and is obviously not intrusive.  Thereafter the audio is faultless and that also applies to the other quieter sections.  Not a grade I often use but Near Mint+ is suitable here.  'Man On The Prowl' ends the side with superb definition and no distortion whatsoever.  This is a rarity as any Queen fan knows as this track will often play with at least some distortion and especially on the instrumental end section.  Not here though!  This is Mint from start to finish.

'Machines' on S2 does not disappoint and plays with great power from the first groove.  There is a minimal touch of barely audible static on the intro and then continues to play with stunning clarity and power.  The more I play it the more I am impressed by it and the instrumental section as you approach the end is absolutely breathtaking!  This high octane track is Mint- in my opinion.  'I Want To Break Free' plays with incredible precision throughout and every note can be heard so clearly.  There is just a hint of light static on the fade out.  'Keep Passing The Open Windows' keeps the fine standard and is faultless from beginning to end, there is nothing to detract from the audio.  A stunning version!  'Hammer To Fall' is 'as new' and plays with tremendous power and depth.  This is another 'high end' version that could not play any better.  The real test of this vinyl is the super quiet 'Is This The World We Created...?' and I am pleased to say it plays very clearly and with no clicks or pops.  There is just a minimal amount of mega light static here and there but in no way is it intrusive, it is so quiet!  It still plays with wonderful clarity and ends the album in fine style.

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE first pressing plays with fantastic definition on both sides and I am confident in saying there is no intrusive 'background' of any kind.  Hardly any 'background' at all if I'm honest!  There are no clicks, pops or crackle and barely any static!  It is patently obvious this record has hardly ever been on a turntable over the last 35 years such is the clarity.  A stunning example that would add to any collection.

The Cover

This cover is in superb condition with only very minor shelf wear.  The top edge is perfect and the bottom edge has only one 'rub' and a small crease.  The spine is in great shape also with only a couple of tiny rubs and the corners have barely any wear.  The right hand corners have only minimal wear and I do mean minimal!  The opening edge appears untouched.  Both the front cover and back cover are super clean with no marking.  This is a fine example and it would be difficult to find better.

The Lyric Inner

One word - perfect!  It has the rounded corners as per the first/early pressings and has no wear at all.  Stunning!

The Labels

They are near perfect apart from a couple of tiny spindle traces on the S2 label and have no marking or writing.

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

EMC 24 0014 1 // A1 / B1

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 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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