DEEP PURPLE, MACHINE HEAD, 1972 UK PURPLE 1st ISSUE WITH GRAMOPHONE CO LABELS

DEEP PURPLE, MACHINE HEAD, 1972 UK PURPLE 1st PRESS WITH GRAMOPHONE CO LABELS

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Description

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of Deep Purple's iconic studio album titled "Machine Head", Catalogue Number TPSA 7504. It's a 1972 UK stereo first pressing on the Purple record label, with a Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. laminated gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the first issue fold-out lyric insert and the correct white poly-lined inner sleeve. [The record labels have the earliest "THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD..." text around the tops. The matrix numbers are the earliest TPSA 7504 A-1U and TPSA 7504 B-1U. The lyric insert is the first issue which folds out into 3 sections, not 4 as on subsequent re-issues].

The sleeve is in EX condition with minimal signs of wear and a few creases. The front and back covers and opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. It's a lovely example.

The solidly pressed record is visually in EX condition with only a few light sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident under bright light. The vivid blue Purple labels are unmarked apart from a modest number of spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence. The sound quality is very dynamic and vibrant with lots of wonderful guitar and keyboard riffs. It really is a top-playing copy.
 

The lyric insert is in unmarked EX condition as is the original inner sleeve.

Overall this is a superb first pressing of arguably Deep Purple's most accomplished studio album which 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:   

Europe - £8.00

Worldwide - £11.50