The Works A2/B1 (1st Pressing)

This first pressing plays with immaculate audio and the cover and lyric inner are in near perfect condition.  A fantastic example of this now 34 year old album.

EMC 24 0014 1 // A2 / B1

The audio on S1 is Mint (track 1 Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint (track 1 & 4 Mint- / track 5 NM / Mint-)

The cover is Mint-

The lyric inner is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is a superb example of its kind and has no scratches at all.  All I can detect are a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines that have no affect on the pristine audio.  It retains an impressive glossy sheen and there is only the absolute minimal amount of spindle wear.  This is a vinyl that has been hardly played and the audio quality is proof of that.

Play grading  

'Radio Ga Ga' plays with stunning clarity from the very first groove.  Aside from one very faint 'tick' the entire track has 'high end' audio and easily grades as Mint- the playback was stunning.  'Tear It Up' goes one better and is Mint without doubt as there is just  no interference of any kind.  This track regularly plays with distortion but that is certainly not the case here.  The power and clarity on display provide a superb example of a vinyl hardly ever played.  The intro on 'It's A Hard Life' often has some 'background' but again there is no sign of any here.  Thereafter there is no let up in quality and again plays to a breathtaking standard.   This is audio in its cleanest most pure form!  Even the very quiet mid piano section has no 'background' and again the fade out plays perfectly.  'Man On The Prowl' is super impressive and has barely any of the distortion that so often affects this final track.  A superb version from start to finish with not one iota of interference.  A fantastic end to the side.

With hardly any static on the intro 'Machines' plays with supreme clarity from the opening note.  It continues in the same way and is a superb version of this high octane track.  There is no distortion on the top end and is 'as new' in my opinion.  If further proof was needed the quiet fade out plays nigh on perfectly.  'I Want To Break Free' is Mint from beginning to end and this also applies to 'Keep Passing The Open Windows'.  The clarity on both is of the highest standard possible.  I played every second and there is just no interference to be heard.  Absolutely stunning!  'Hammer To Fall' also impresses with great power and definition.  Perhaps a hint of minor distortion but that is commonplace on this track and is certainly not intrusive.  Still a sublime and very strong version with no clicks or pops etc.  The real test of this vinyl is the super quiet 'Is This The World We Created...?' and I am delighted to say it passes with flying colours!  The clarity is stunning and it plays so delicately with no interference.  There is just a hint of barely audible static on a couple of very brief sections but this is easily Near Mint and much of it plays better than that!  A superb end to a fantastic first pressing.

In summary this very first pressing plays with sublime audio quality from start to finish and i am confident in saying there is no intrusive 'background' of any kind.   No clicks or pops and no crackle at all.  With a near perfect cover and lyric inner this would add to any collection.

The Cover

This cover is in near pristine condition which is a rarity for this album.  Neither the edges or spine have any shelf wear and even the corners are in fantastic order with no obvious rubbing.  The opening edge is also 'as new'.  The front cover is extremely clean with no marking or creasing and the only thing of any note on the back cover is a couple of very small indents, otherwise it is in perfect condition.  Overall a great example of this cover and it would be difficult to find better.

The Lyric inner

The lyric inner has the four rounded corners as per the first pressings and has no side splits.  There are only a couple of very faint creases, near perfect basically!  No markings at all.

The labels

They are in great condition with no marking/writing and only a little 'fading' which is common on this LP.  It can only be seen at a certain angle.  Very little spindle wear.

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 // A2 / 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 SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, MANY THANKS.

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