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Cressida : Cressida 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press Vertigo 1970

This very collectable first pressing plays with stunning quality and barely any background.  The clarity and depth of the audio is exceptional and I have never heard this classic album playing with such precision.  The only 'intrusion' is two very light ticks on 'Time For Bed' and a 4/5 seconds of very light static on 'Depression' both on S1.  The sonic quality is unbelievable!  This is as close to perfect pristine audio that you will find!  The vinyl itself is very clean and has clearly not been played that much and the only downside is one small edge 'lift' which could be flattened out with the right equipment.  It's not a major issue and has no affect on the stylus or audio.

The gatefold has a little shelf wear but is so much cleaner than many I have seen and the same applies to the original Vertigo inner sleeve.

This is another first pressing that was only pressed in limited numbers hence why it is so collectable.  The fact that every track is superb with incredible musicianship is another reason!  This is also a genuine first press as it has the Philips credit at the bottom of the S2 label.  The second pressing does not have this.

847904  1Y//1∇ 420 1 1

847904  2Y//1∇ 420 1 1 3

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 & T6 Near Mint)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no scratches.  S1 does have two very small circular type blemishes but they have no affect on the superb audio.  Aside from that I can only see a small number of faint hairlines under a bright light and S2 in particular is stunning.  The run out grooves are very clean and the Vertigo labels are in superb condition also.  S1 has barely any spindle wear and S2 just a little more.  The only negative really is one small edge 'lift' / warp but it has no impact on the stylus or audio, it's not a problem.

Play grading

The quiet intro and opening vocal on 'To Play Your Little Game' plays with stunning clarity with only a handful of barely audible statics.  As the volume increases into the first instrumental passage the audio is so strong, clear and deep and the following vocal is faultless.  The next quieter vocal section has no intrusion either and from then on it plays with such quality and Heyworth's end solo is a case in point.  This is easily a Mint- start to the album.

The intro on 'Winter Is Coming Again' is again so clean without any background and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  It continues in the same precise way with no ticks, clicks or pops and no obvious static either.  The instrumental section takes up half of the track and it plays with STUNNING quality including the final quiet section followed by the end crescendo.  This is also Mint- at the very least.

The acoustic intro on 'Time For Bed' plays perfectly and Cullen's opening vocal has no background either.  There are a couple of very light ticks during the instrumental section that follows and just a hint of barely audible static in the next one but that is so minor and overall Near Mint is fair.

'Cressida' plays with outstanding audio through every vocal and instrumental section.  Remember this vinyl is over 54 years old and already it's obvious it has hardly been played.  The clarity here pays testament to that.   As for the end instrumental?  Wow what sound!  A sublime Mint version.

The intro on 'Home And Where I Long To Be' is 'as new' and the opening vocal is on the same level.  Once again the clarity and warmth of the audio is quite simply breathtaking and it continues to impress on every single level.  I do not exaggerate my gradings as my feedback testifies and the playback here is just phenomenal.  Even the quieter sections play beautifully and the vocals are so clean and fresh sounding.  Perfect basically!  Mint

The organ intro on 'Depression' plays so clearly with only minimal light static and the opening vocal section is flawless.  From then on it plays so clearly and Heyworth's mid solo is incredible!  The closing organ section is close to perfect with only a touch of barely audible static for a couple of seconds, hardly requires a mention really.  As the volume increases the playback is superb and McCarthy's bass is so strong here.  The finale is stunning also - you can see why this album is so collectable as the musicianship is top quality!  Near Mint is the right call.

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The organ intro on 'One Of A Group' is stunning and the opening vocal section is of the same high end standard.  S1 was practically perfect but this start is just incredible!  You would not believe how clean and precise the audio is and you can turn it up loud without losing any of the original sonic quality.  It proceeds to play with imperious quality - this truly is audio of the highest calibre and the piano section towards the end is a prime example of that.  Absolutely STUNNING!  Ok the fade out has a couple of light statics at the end so I will grade as Mint- accordingly but to all intents and purposes this classic could not play any better.

'Lights In My Mind' plays perfectly with zero background.  From the quiet organ intro through every vocal and instrumental section the audio could not be any stronger and Mint is richly deserved.

'The Only Earthman In Town' is of the same exact standard with not even a dust tick for company.  Of all Vertigo pressings I have played over the years this is without doubt one of the 'cleanest' I have ever heard.  So many things stand out but Cullen's vocals especially play with genuine quality.  In saying that the instrumental sections are just as strong and the end instrumental is STUNNING in every way.  Another Mint track.

The very quiet acoustic intro on 'Spring '69' plays beautifully and the first vocal has no interference either.  It is getting difficult to describe each track in an individual way but needless to say this superb track plays with exceptional clarity, depth and warmth throughout with no background, just pure Mint audio from start to finish.

The intro on 'Down Down' is so close to perfect with only a couple of minor statics and then the opening vocal section has no intrusion at all.  It continues in the same way and the instrumental section - well I am running out of superlatives!  Audio does not get any better than this.  Wonderfully deep rich audio and the organ section at the end has only a minor touch of light for a couple of seconds, nothing intrusive.  Mint-

The organ intro on 'Tomorrow Is A Whole New Day' has barely any static and the opening vocal plays to perfection.  The only track penned by Clark (later of Uriah Heep) then plays with stunning quality from that point on.  The first solo from Heyworth is flawless and the quiet mid section has only a touch of very light static at the start and I do mean light!  The rest of this quiet section plays with incredible clarity.  From then on it plays with real quality and the closing 'choral' section could hardly play any better and the end solo is indeed perfect.  Turn it up to max, stunning!  A Mint- version to close this classic album.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and there is nothing that stands out as such.  The edges have only minimal rubbing and the wide spine remains strong but does have some surface rubs / spots and some wear on the corners.  The right hand corners have a little wear and the opening edge looks hardly touched.  The front cover is very clean when you consider the matte texture and has only a little spotting which is around the edges mainly and one small scuff in the lower right corner.  It also seems to have a couple of small 'scrapes' but they have been coloured in very diligently and isn't that noticeable.  The back cover is in great shape with only minor corner wear bottom left, minimal fading near the top and some light rubs near the spine.  The inside of the gatefold is in superb condition with no obvious wear.  A strong example overall.

The original Vertigo inner sleeve has no side splits and has just one obvious mark near the top edge and only minimal creasing.  A minimal loss of paper in one top corner but in the main it is in excellent order.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

847904  1Y//1∇ 420 1 1

847904  2Y//1∇ 420 1 1 3

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 will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £14.95 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

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!