Warhorse : Warhorse A2/B2 1st Press

This first pressing plays to a fantastic standard with no interference on either side.  There are only a handful of light static ticks on the Side A intro but in saying that it still plays so well with no actual static background.  The remainder of the side is faultless and Side B is just phenomenal!  The clarity, depth and power throughout is equal to that of an un-played record and not surprisingly it is visually stunning with only a small number of faint hairlines.  I sold one of these about two months ago and this is just as impressive with audio that plays to the highest standard.  A FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in every respect

The gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original swirl inner is also in excellent order.  Considering this very collectable album is now over 50 years old all aspects have been so well preserved.

This is also a genuine first press as the Side B label has a large 'Swirl' logo, VERTIGO is written below the spindle hole and the credits are below the track titles.  You also don't get much earlier than this 11 and 112!

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees. 

6360015   A//2   1 1

6360015   B//2   1 1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in great condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no dulling or groove wear at all.  There are no marks or scratches and all I can detect are a small number of faint hairlines on Side A which have no affect on the immaculate audio.  Side A is very clean but Side B is even cleaner!  I can only see 3/4 small hairlines which are not at all obvious.  The run out grooves are also in lovely condition and you can easily read the matrix info.  The Vertigo labels are close to perfect with only a little spindle wear and no marking or writing.  A superb example!

Play grading

The quiet organ intro on 'Vulture Blood' is close to perfect with barely any static and it certainly is rare for the opening grooves on this album to play so clearly.  As the volume increases the playback is outstanding and Holt's vocal so powerful.  The audio is so rich and deep and already you know this record has only been lightly played.  The mid instrumental has no 'background' and the brief silent passage prior to the next percussive section is...totally silent.  The final vocal section plays with stunning precision and overall I would grade the intro as Near Mint but the remainder is Mint of that I have no doubt.  What a start!
The entire instrumental intro on 'No Chance' plays with sublime clarity i.e. there is no 'background' at all and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  The 'high octane' section that follows is so strong and has no distortion on the top end.  It continues to play with exceptional sonic quality and the powerful vocal/instrumental section towards the end is absolutely mind-blowing, I can't really put it any other way!  I know I can over-eulogise somewhat but when you hear audio such as this I can be forgiven!  From start to finish the playback 'as new' I can pay it no higher compliment.  Every note is so sharp and precise and this easily deserves a Mint grade.

'Burning' plays with tremendous clarity and definition from the outset and the intro can again be correctly be described 'as new'.  It continues in the same way and Holt's vocal has lost none of its original raw 'quality'.  The second half is purely instrumental of course and it cannot be faulted in any way - no ticks, clicks or pops and no static either.  This is Mint audio in all its glory!

'St Louis' plays with very strong audio from the first note to the last and...with no interference.  The intro is perfect and from then on plays with great power and clarity.  This is such a 'high octane' number and yet there is no obvious inner groove distortion at all.  This is all the more impressive when consider this is the final track on the side where the grooves are more 'compressed'.  Another indication this vinyl has not been played too much.  A 'high end' Mint- finish to the side and wow what a side!

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As per S1 'Ritual' has hardly any static on the intro and the opening vocal section then plays without fault.  It proceeds in the same exact way and Peck's mid solo is a case in point.  A couple of barely audible ticks near the start but it could hardly play any better and Simper's bass adds so much to the mix also.  Great definition of sound, no 'muddiness' whatsoever the playback is incredibly 'clean'.  The final vocal is equally as good and this is easily a Mint- version.

The quiet acoustic intro on 'Solitude' plays beautifully with no intrusion on the audio.  I honestly cannot believe what I am hearing!  I cannot put into words just how clear and precise the audio is, it really is STUNNING!  Peck's delicate solo is of the same standard and the first vocal doesn't let the side down either.  Holt's entire vocal here is so strong with an almost operatic grandiose quality.  There is no distortion and the guitar solo then plays with genuine precision and the rest of the instrumental has no interference.  The same applies to the remaining vocal sections and once again I am just amazed at the sheer clarity and power on offer here.  This is sonic quality of the highest quality and to the end it is 'as new' with no 'background' on the long fade out.  This has to be Mint- I have never heard better.

The intro on 'Woman Of The Devil' plays with stunning clarity - there is no interference, just a small number of barely audible dust ticks that scarcely deserve a mention.  As it builds the power and depth of the audio is phenomenal!  Shut your eyes and transport yourself back to 1970!  The first vocal section keeps up the standard and it continues to impress with a clarity that could not be any better.  I don't want to repeat myself but the instrumental section that follows is just STUNNING.  It is so powerful, the audio so deep and obviously there is no distortion.  The final vocal /instrumental rounds off this classic in superlative style and this track just has to grade as Mint as there are quite simply no negatives.

In summary this genuine first pressing plays to a 'high end' standard that is rarely found today.  One reason is because it was not pressed in vast numbers as any audiophile will know so finding one in this condition is not easy!  It is a FINAL UPGRADE version i.e. no need to purchase another in order to find better audio.  The clarity and definition is on a par with an un-played record from that era with a power and resonance that just envelops the room.  Vertigo pressings are so collectable because when you have a vinyl as 'clean' as this they have a greater sense of depth and richness to the sound and that is very much prevalent here.  It also helps if the music is darn good also!  And in my opinion this album is a genuine classic which is another reason why it is so collectable.  You can turn it up to max without fear of distortion and every intro and fade out plays with great precision plus the dead wax between tracks is also practically silent.  An outstanding album that would grace any collection.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear and is still very strong and robust which can only be because it has not been handled very much.  The top edges have a little rubbing but certainly no damage and the bottom edges are even more impressive with barely any wear.  The wide spine is in great shape with only a couple of minor rubs and all corners are very clean with no obvious wear, just a small crease top right.  The opening edge has very little handling wear and the front cover is in superb condition with no marking or creasing.  The back cover is just as good and this is impressive as it is not laminated of course.  The inside of the gatefold is predominantly white of course and yet only has a little fading/faint marking along the top edge.  Overall this is a fine example of this cover.

The swirl inner is dated 1070 and is in excellent order with no side splits or tears and not too much creasing.  There is a little age related fading mainly along the top edges.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

6360015   A//2   1 1

6360015   B//2   1 1 2

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 WILL 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 : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 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!