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.

Deep Purple : Shades Of Deep Purple 1/1 1st Stereo Press

This stunning first press plays to a standard rarely found today...in my opinion.  I have sold a few of these down the eyars and this is without doubt the finest version I have ever listened to.  There is barely any intrusion on the audio - one light tick and a some very light static on a couple of intros that's about it!  If there is any inner groove distortion on the final track of each side it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive.  There are no clicks or pops and basically no obvious static.  The clarity, depth and power across both sides is phenomenal and you would be hard pressed to find better sonic quality than this.  Yes you can tell it has been played by the spindle wear but it has clearly been very well cared for and only played on high end equipment.  I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and deep the audio is, the depth is just on another level!

The vinyl is very impressive visually and has just one obvious hairline mark on S1 that has no affect on the audio.

The laminated Patents Pending cover is in very good condition with no major wear as such and is again one of the cleanest I have seen.  Not perfect but a very respectable one nonetheless.  The original EMI has one large split on one side but remains very clean with barely any marking.

This superb first pressing was only produced in limited numbers and was not well received when first released in the UK.  We all now know that this debut is a classic in its own right and like I say is rarely found in this condition today.  As it is a genuine first press it has a 1/1 matrix and has ''Sold In U.K. Subject...'' on the yellow and black Parlophone label.  This one has a single R stamper on S1 and A on S2 so is obviously one of the earliest first pressings produced.

PCS 7055 // YEX 689 - 1 / YEX 690 - 1 // R 1 / A 1

The audio on S1 ranges between Near Mint and Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 intro Near Mint / T4 ranges between Near Mint and Mint-)

The laminated cover is a very strong VG++

The labels are Ex++

The original EMI inner is VG

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with minimal marking and it still has a very strong glossy look.  There are no scratches although there is one hairline across the first three tracks on S2 that is a little more obvious.  However, it is purely superficial as it has no affect on the audio.  Aside from that it is very clean with only a few very faint hairlines.  There is no groove wear or dulling of the surface and is easily one of the best first pressings I have seen.  The yellow / black Parlophone labels are unmarked with S1 having only minimal spindle wear although S2 does have some more.

Play grading  

'And The Address' plays with great clarity throughout.  The quiet intro is so 'clean' with just one light tick at the start and barely any static.  The only 'background' really is the stylus running through the grooves!  As it builds the audio is so strong and Blackmore's first introduction plays with superb sonic quality.  It continues in the same way with no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the audio is just so strong, there is a genuine depth to the music and it resonates so powerfully around the room.  The guitar work is stunning and Lord's instrumental is just as impressive.  The remainder is of the same impeccable standard and I cannot overstate just how well this classic instrumental plays - I will grade the intro as Near Mint but as Mint- from then onwards.  What a start!

The 'howls' on the 'Hush' are very clear and again there is no obvious static on this quiet intro.  The first instrumental section is very strong, perhaps ever so slightly 'muddy' towards the end but this is so so minimal and still plays incredibly well.  Evans' opening vocal is 'as new' and from then on it plays with a clarity, power and depth that cannot be faulted.  The audio is so clear with no intrusion and the instrumental section near the end is a prime example of that, it is STUNNING!  This is of course such a powerful track and yet there is no distortion on the top end, you can turn it up to loud without having to turn it down immediately!  Again the depth of the audio on the final section - wow!  I will grade this as ranging between Near Mint and Mint- but certainly more of the latter.

The 'weather' intro on 'One More Rainy Day' has only very minimal light static which is totally non-intrusive and then Lord's opening section plays to perfection.  Evans' first vocal is just as impressive and it continues in much the same way.  There is maybe a touch of background static/'muddiness' to the sound every now and then but again it is so minimal and has no impact on the overall aural experience.  It is so quiet and as I often say I am perhaps doing myself an injustice by even mentioning it!  The clarity and definition of the audio is still very impressive and there is literally no other intrusion.  Near Mint is a fair assessment of the audio here.

The intro on 'Prelude : Happiness' has barely any static and the next section plays with great power and clarity.  As it gets louder the playback is phenomenal!  So strong with great depth and no obvious distortion and it progresses in the same way.  The quiet section then plays with impeccable clarity and the segue into 'I'm So Glad' has no 'background' either.  The opening vocal plays very clearly and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  Another very powerful track and yet the lack of obvious distortion is very impressive - you would perhaps expect some as you approach the end of the side but not here!  The clarity is again very impressive and there are no ticks, clicks or pops much like the rest of the side!  The quiet end vocal plays beautifully and the crescendo ending is 'as new' also.  Let's say Near Mint for the intro and then Mint- for the rest of this 7+ minute classic.  What a side of music!

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The intro on 'Mandrake Root' is STUNNING!  I know I can over-enthuse somewhat but when you hear audio as 'clean' as this on such a rare vinyl I can be forgiven!  There is zero intrusion and this instrumental opening is Mint in every sense of the word.  For fear of being repetitive you would not believe the depth and resonance of the audio here.  The opening vocal is of the same high end standard and the quality does not drop.  This is over 6 minutes long of course and yet the clarity and definition of the audio is comparable to that of an un-played record I do not joke!  The long instrumental is breath-taking and I do not use that word lightly - every note is just so clear and precise and the power is just on another level.  This is kept up to the very end and I have no hesitation in saying this is Mint it is the definitive version.

The intro on this classic version of 'Help' plays so clearly with just one light tick at the start and barely any static.  Evans' first vocal is 'as new' with no 'background' of any kind and it continues to play with outstanding clarity and no ticks, clicks etc.  The high octane instrumental piece plays with great power and depth and remarkably there is no distortion and the quieter end section is so close to perfect with only a couple of barely audible static ticks right at the end.  The intro is Near Mint but the rest is Mint- at the very least.

'Love Help Me' plays with stunning audio from the get go and the opening vocal is just as strong.  So many superlatives I could use but it's the clarity and depth of the audio that really stand out and that there is absolute zero distortion.  From start to finish there is no interference - I will say Mint- although perhaps the minus is not deserved.

The entire opening instrumental on 'Hey Joe' once again shows just how well this vinyl has been preserved.  It plays with exceptional power and depth and there is just no interference to be heard.  Mere words are not enough here!  The audio is just so strong and deep (again) and in a sense it plays more like a mono record which are known to play with greater depth and warmth.  The opening vocal is faultless and as the volume increases is there just a touch of inner groove distortion?  If so it is so minimal and to be honest you could easily miss it.  It continues to play with great quality and of course...no interference.  Blackmore's solo is so strong and clear and the end vocal much the same with only minimal distortion.  The final instrumental ends this classic with perfect audio and throughout the entire 7.5 minutes there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  It ranges between Near Mint and Mint- and rounds off this STUNNING album in a very impressive way.

In summary this first stereo pressing plays to a superb standard and there cannot be many around today as 'high end' as this one.  It was only pressed in limited numbers and even then did not sell well in the UK for some strange reason.  The clarity is so impressive you could arguably say there is no interference on either side.  Ok one very light tick at the very start and a minor amount of mega light static on a couple of intros but that hardly qualifies as interference!  S1 plays with incredible clarity, depth and power and S2 is even better!  The overall sonic quality could hardly be any stronger and I am positive the winning bidder would be just as impressed as I am.  I grade with integrity as my feedback confirms and this album will certainly add to any top level collection.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The Patents Pending G & L cover is in very good condition at the very least with not too much shelf wear.  The top edge has just one minor 'rub' and the bottom edge is close to perfect with only a little wear on the corners.  The thin spine remains 100% legible and just has a handful of rubs caused by the small creases next to the spine on front cover.  Overall the corners are in pretty good shape although the one bottom right does have a little more wear.  The opening edge is actually very clean although there is a little wear/rubbing on the front cover right next to the edge.  This is where most of the wear is on this cover so you can see it is only minimal really.  The front cover has only a handful of minor laminate creases and as stated some creases next to the spine and the wear far right.  The unlaminated back cover is in very clean without any marking and the laminated flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover with barely any of the marking on the edges that you so often see.  You can see only a small number of creases on them and a little creasing in the lower left corner.  Overall this is a very respectable first press cover with only no major wear.

The original EMI inner is very clean overall but does have one obvious side split and a tiny one on the opposite side.  However, there is no obvious marking and only minimal creasing.

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

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

PCS 7055 // YEX 689 - 1 / YEX 690 - 1 // R 1 / A 1

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 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!