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.

The Blue Nile : A Walk Across The Rooftops 1A / 1B 1st Press 1984

This first pressing is absolutely stunning!  As always I played every track in full and I can categorically say they all play with stunning Mint precision.  I suspect this vinyl has never been played before such is the quality of the audio.  Even on an un-played vinyl you will sometimes hear a click or two but not here!  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is sensational and I only 'picked up' one very light tick on S1.  This classic album has so many quiet passages and yet the clarity is just breath-taking, you could hear a pin drop!  This is a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic as it just could not play better and you will not be surprised to hear that it is visually stunning also with no marking on the glossy surface.

Every aspect of this first press has been so well preserved as the cover is also in superb condition without any noticeable wear and has retained its original shape and structure perfectly, it has hardly been handled.  The original inner sleeve has is so clean also and has hardly ever seen the light of day!  A stunning 'package' and so rarely found as pristine as this.

LKH 001 // LKH 1 A  RED JIMMY VI  GRAM / LKH 1 B  RED JIMMY VI  GRAM

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and no marks or scratches.  Visually stunning does not do it justice really!  Even looking under a bright light I cannot see any hairlines and there is obviously no groove or surface wear to be seen.  As stated this may well not have been played before - the labels are in superb condition and have zero spindle wear.  This is one stunning vinyl!

Play grading

The quiet intro on 'A Walk Across The Rooftops' plays beautifully without any kind of background which is incredible really when you consider how quiet it is!  A couple of mega quiet dust ticks just prior to Buchanan's opening vocal which then plays with sublime clarity and no interference.  It continues to play 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  Every section plays with exceptional clarity and depth and because the vinyl is so clean Buchanan's voice is just stunning.  The notes are so clean and precise and the outro is as clean as the intro, I cannot impress enough just how pristine the audio is.  It has the sonic quality of an un-played vinyl and Mint is very much deserved.

'Tinseltown In The Rain' keeps up this fine start and plays with mesmeric quality from start to finish.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static the playback is unbelievably clean and it just could not play any better.  The clarity of sound is again STUNNING and this classic is Mint in every way.

The intro on 'From Rags To Riches' plays so clearly with just one very light tick at the start and again there is no background static.  The first vocal is perfect and the second verse has only a minor touch of static that is so quiet and you could easily miss it!  I only mention it to be 100% complete with my grading because I do mention any background even if barely audible!  From then on it plays with outstanding quality and with literally no intrusion on the audio.  The vocals are again superb and the atmospheric music has no faults either.  The instrumental that ends the track is a case in point - it plays beautifully with no interference.  I will say Mint- although I am sure many would say the minus is not required!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Stay' on S2 again shows how well this vinyl has been preserved and plays with stunning precision throughout.  The clarity and depth of the audio is on another level so much so that you would think this vinyl was pressed only yesterday not nearly 40 years ago!  I am confident (again) in grading this as Mint such is the quality.

The piano intro on 'Easter Parade' is flawless and Buchanan's opening vocal is equally as good and continues in the same precise way.  Dripping with emotion this classic plays with exceptional clarity and of course it is such a quiet number.  A sparse arrangement and yet every section plays with a genuine rare quality.  A beautiful Mint version.  Wow!

I have no wish to sound repetitive but the intro on 'Heatwave' is breath-taking.  So quiet and yet there is no background to be heard, not even a solitary dust tick.  The opening vocal is 'as new' and this high end standard is kept up as it progresses.  As per all the other tracks this demonstrates why this should be played first and foremost on vinyl - this warmth and depth cannot be replicated by any other medium.  Another Mint classic.

'Automobile Noise' ends this stunning debut album with stunning audio!  From the gentle intro and then through every vocal and instrumental section this plays with a precision that is second to none.  Buchanan's vocal is the main focalpoint as it should be but in true Blue Nile style the instrumentation adds so much atmosphere to these classic recordings.  This is a sublime Mint finish to the album.

In summary this first pressing is genuinely a rare find.  For an album that is very nearly 40 years old to play with a clarity of sound as STUNNING as this is well... very rare!  It is of course such a quiet album for the vast majority and there is just nothing that detracts from the perfect Mint audio.  It is a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic as it just could not play any better.  The sonic quality is phenomenal and to say the entire album plays 'as new' is no exaggeration.  Together with a lovely cover this would grace any collection.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The glossy cover is in lovely condition with barely any wear, arguably none!  The edges, spine and corners are superb with no wear of any kind and the opening edge is pristine also.  The front and back cover are super clean with no actual marking - perhaps a hint of very very faint fading around the edges?  I am being super critical there!  I have just noticed a couple of faint scratches on either side but you only notice them when you hold the cover at a certain angle.  It really is in superb condition and Near Mint- is richly deserved in my opinion.

The original poly-lined inner looks like it has hardly ever been removed from the cover which might be the case!  It has no side splits or marking and barely any creasing.  It has Made In England R.S. 1-84 and the Patent numbers printed on one side.

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

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

LKH 001 // LKH 1 A  RED JIMMY VI  GRAM / LKH 1 B  RED JIMMY VI  GRAM

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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!