DEEP PURPLE FIREBALL MINT- 1971 UK HARVEST 1st PRESS C/W LYRIC INSERT TOP COPY!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection. 

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb MINT- copy of Deep Purple's brilliant studio album titled "Fireball", Catalogue Number SHVL 793. It's a 1971 UK stereo first pressing on the Harvest EMI record label, with a Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. fully textured gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the first issue card lyric insert and the correct EMI poly-lined inner sleeve which advertises other Harvest albums of the period. [The record labels have "THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD..." text around the tops. The matrix numbers are the earliest SHVL 793 A-2U and SHVL 793 A-3U. "PEK" is etched in the run-out of Side 1 indicating the work of the master cutting engineer George Peckham].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just light signs of wear and no creases of any significance. There are a couple of small knocks to the front left opening edge. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. There is barely any ringwear on the back cover which is very unusual for this particular sleeve. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. It's a very well preserved example of this notoriously wear-prone cover. Please study the supersize photos which form an important part of the description.

The solidly pressed record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in MINT- condition with just a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident when angle against bright light. There are purely superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Harvest labels are unmarked with only a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is particularly powerful and vibrant as you would expect from a record mastered by George "Porky" Peckham. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect.
 

The lyric insert is in unmarked EX condition.

The EMI/Harvest inner sleeve has some age discoloration but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb and complete first issue of Deep Purple's magnificent Fireball album which plays flawlessly. It will make a fine addition to any record collection.

 GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

EU - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50