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.

Rush : Counterparts 1A / 1B 1st Press (Europe) 1993

This very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with only one millisecond of interference!  There is just one light click during 'Cut To The Chase' and nothing else apart from 2/3 seconds of barely audible static!  Oh and two very light ticks at the end of a fade out.  The clarity of sound is STUNNING and it is clear this vinyl has hardly been played.  It was recorded 'loud' and that original sonic quality is still very much in evidence.  The power and depth of the audio is impressive to say the least.  Visually it is very strong also with only some light sleeve removal hairlines.

The cover is in excellent shape overall with only a little wear, nothing major.  This particular version does not include a printed inner sleeve and I have just read on Discogs that not all copies were issued with one.  This one has an EMI inner which remains in superb condition.

NO PRINTED INNER SLEEVE!

Atlantic - Anthem // 7567-82528-1 // WMME Alsdorf 756 782528-1-A / WMME Alsdorf 756 782528-1-B

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still holds a very impressive glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see some faint sleeve removal hairlines that obviously have no impact on the audio.  There is no groove or surface wear and the labels are super clean with no marking and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading  

The countdown intro 'Animate' has barely any static and then the actual intro plays perfectly with no intrusion.  Lee's opening vocal section is stunning and it continues to play to the highest standard without any background.  The depth and warmth of the audio is exceptional and there are no ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either.  Every vocal and instrumental section play with sublime clarity and power and Mint- is deserved.  There is just a hint of light static right at the end of the fade out.

'Stick It Out' has only a minor touch of mega light static on the intro, hardly needs a mention really, and the opening vocal is faultless.  From then on it's the power of the audio that really stands out.  Immaculate clarity also!  Classic work from Lifeson of course and sonically this track just could not play any better.  You can turn it up to max and the audio is not affected in any way - pure 'clean' audio with no distortion.  Another Mint- track.

The intro and first verse on 'Cut To The Chase' have no background and the second verse has just one light click after the first line.  As the volume increases the playback is superb and this standard is kept up throughout.  Again the sonic quality is phenomenal and 'as new' is a fair description.  A 'busy' track and yet nothing is lost, the clarity is stunning.  Lee's vocal is so strong and clear and Peart's percussion is the same - very high in the mix.  An almost perfect bar one millisecond of interference so I think Near Mint- is an honest assessment of the audio here.

The acoustic intro on the emotive 'Nobody's Hero' is flawless and then every vocal and instrumental section play with STUNNING clarity and with a depth and power that is second to none.  From start to finish it plays beautifully with no intrusion and Mint is well and truly deserved.  The long fade out plays so clearly also.

'Between Sun & Moon' ends the side with superlative audio!  There is no interference, no inner groove distortion, and again the playback is unbelievably 'clean' and fresh sounding.  Further evidence of a vinyl that has hardly been played.  Tremendous power and depth again.  Mint

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'Alien Shore' on S2 plays with impeccable quality from the word go.  A hint of mega light static on the intro for one or two seconds and from then on it plays with great clarity and definition and no interference.  Let's say Mint- although the minus could be considered a little harsh!

The only background during 'The Speed Of Love' is a touch of very light static at the end of the fade out!  Mint-

The quiet opening on 'Double Agent' plays with great clarity and as the volume 'picks up' the audio cannot be faulted.  The 'spoken' verse is just as clear and it continues in the same precise way with zero intrusion.  The 'heavy' sections play with outstanding power and depth and Lee's vocal is as strong and clean as ever.  This is Mint in every way.

The instrumental 'Leave That Thing Alone' keeps up the standard and plays with real quality.  When I say 'as new' I really mean, it's not just a selling 'technique'!  The sonic quality is equal to that of an un-played vinyl and Mint is again deserved.

'Cold Fire' plays with phenomenal audio with... no sign of any interference.  Each note is so clean and precise and there are only a couple of light ticks at the end of the fade out.  Mint-

'Everyday Glory' ends the album with high end audio.  You will not be surprised to hear that there is no interference and the overall sound is as strong as it was when first released 30 years ago this month.  There is no inner groove distortion and the playback is very powerful.  Stunning and a Mint conclusion to this superb album.

In summary this first pressing is as close to perfect as is possible.  With only one light click on S1 the clarity, depth and power of the audio is so impressive and it is obvious this record has hardly been on a turntable.  It is of course a very collectable album and there cannot be many around today that are as 'clean' as this one.  Yes there are a few light hairlines but they must have been caused by the vinyl moving around inside the cover because the audio is superb!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear.  The top edge has some light rubbing on one section and the bottom edge is more or less perfect.  The spine is very clean with only a small number of 'crease' lines and a couple of minor compressions.  The corners have only minimal wear although it does look like the lower right one has a minor section coloured in, it is a very small area and easily missed.  The opening edge is super clean with no obvious handling wear and the front cover has just a minor amount of ringwear and a small number of creases around the edges.  The back cover is very similar but does have a small sticker removal mark top right.  It's quite a delicate cover so overall it is in pretty good shape for its age.

As stated this does not include a printed inner sleeve.  It contains a die-cut EMI inner which has no side splits, tears or marking and hardly any creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

Atlantic - Anthem // 7567-82528-1 // WMME Alsdorf 756 782528-1-A / WMME Alsdorf 756 782528-1-B

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 : £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

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!