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Dr. Strangely Strange : Heavy Petting 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press 1970

This rare and very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with only minimal interference - a small number of clicks and this is all detailed below in my grading.  However, the vast majority is 'as new' with a clarity and depth of sound that only comes from a vinyl that has been so well preserved down the years.  This is one of the most collectable Vertigo pressings and this particular one has hardly been played which is certainly reflected in the sonic quality - barely any background static!  For the large part the playback is exceptional.

The die-cut cover is in excellent order with only minimal wear - one small tear on the front near the top and a small scuff on the back.  In my opinion this is probably one of the best around today as the two bottom flaps are so often damaged or loose but that is not the case here  The original swirl inner is also in excellent condition.

This was also pressed on the first 'run' as it has the earliest 112/111 stampers.

6360009  1Y // 1   1 1 2

6360009   2Y // 1   1 1 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / T4 Near Mint- / T5 Near Mint- with a couple of brief G+ sections 2/3 seconds each)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T1 & T4 Near Mint- / T6 Near Mint)

The die-cut cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint-

The original swirl inner is Ex

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with only one tiny 2mm scratch on S1.  Just by looking at the vinyl you do not even notice it!  Aside from that it is so clean and S1 has only one other very small hairline mark and there are only a handful of very faint sleeve removal hairlines on both sides.  S2 is visually stunning with only a couple of tiny specks.  Based on the audio and the absolute minimal spindle wear it is obvious this record has only been lightly played.  The Vertigo labels are in great shape and only Side 1 has a slightly rough texture caused by some minor mottling that is no visible anyway.

Play grading

'Ballad Of The Wasps' plays beautifully from the get go with only a couple of minor static ticks on the intro.  The opening vocal is faultless and it continues in the same way.  Each note is so sharp and precise and there is no intrusion on the audio, not one tick, click or pop and no annoying static either!  A stunning version that has to grade as Mint- it is that good.

There is one pop and a couple of static clicks in the dead wax prior to 'Summer Breeze' starting but the intro then plays with no interference at all.  This clarity is very much maintained and and I detected only two minor ticks from start to finish, another Mint- track.

The intro on 'Kilmanoyadd Stomp' is close to perfect with only a minimal touch of very light static for a couple of seconds.  From then on it plays with exceptional clarity and warmth - a couple of minor ticks that is all and a hint of barely audible static.  However, you could hardly wish to find a 'cleaner' version and it really is the clarity that stands out.  You certainly would not know this rare album is over 50 years old!  I will grade as Near Mint but the majority is better than that!

The 'spoken' intro on 'I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes' has no 'background' and from then on plays extremely well.  There are a couple of static ticks and a minimal amount of very light static towards the end but it still deserves a Near Mint- grade.

The acoustic intro on 'Sign On My Mind' plays to perfection but there are three clicks and one light tick as the percussion comes in - just three seconds of interference.  The first vocal then plays with remarkable clarity and it proceeds in much the same way.  You cannot help but admire the clarity of sound as apart from that brief section near the start the playback is very impressive indeed.  The vocals are so clean and the long instrumental is close to perfect with only a couple of light clicks.  This guitar solo section in stunning and there are only a couple of light clicks as the vocal returns towards the end.  Difficult to grade in a way as the vast majority does play with stunning clarity.  I think Near Mint- is fair but with a couple of very brief G+ sections.

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'Gave My Love An Apple' has barely any static on the intro and from then on plays so clearly with only light click.  This is a long song and yet the clarity and depth of the music is 'high end' for sure.  A Near Mint- version to start with.

'Jove Was At Home' plays with stunning clarity from start to finish with only one minor ticks.  The sonic quality here cannot be faulted and you would be hard pressed to find a better version.  The closing vocal section is a prime example of that.  Superb!  Mint-

The acoustic intro on 'When Adam Delved' plays so well with only one very light tick and the remainder then plays with outstanding quality.  It does make you think how often the record has been played, the playback is stunning.  This instrumental grades as Mint- in my opinion.

'Ashling' keeps up the standard and plays with great quality throughout with very little intrusion.  There is just one click and a couple of light ticks on one of the vocal passages near the end but aside from that the playback is so close to perfect.  Again I think Near Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Mary Malone Of Moscow' plays with superb audio from the very first groove and this standard does not drop I am pleased to say.  This is audio of the highest quality and each note is again so clean and precise.  The audio definition could not be any stronger and Mint- is well deserved.

'Friends' ends this fine album with fine audio.  Just one mega light tick on the intro and from then on it plays so clearly without any interference.  Perhaps a a minimal touch of light static for a couple of brief moments but you hardly notice it and this is without doubt a Near Mint finish.

In summary this relatively rare and very collectable first pressing plays to a wonderful standard for the vast majority with only a small number of clicks.  The actual clarity of sound is so impressive and there is no intrusive static to be heard at all.  The playback is stunning and it is rare for this first pressing to play as 'cleanly' as this with such sharp definition.  The vinyl is visually in superb condition and that is reflected in the overall sonic quality.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear and is certainly one of best versions I have seen.  The two die-cut flaps are in great shape with only one small tear just below the VERTIGO logo.  For once though the bottom edges of the two flaps that open have no damage/tape repairs!  The edges have only light rubbing and the corners also have only minimal wear.  The two 'spines' are very clean and the top loading opening edge has hardly any handling wear.  The front cover is extremely clean with only one tiny sticker removal mark top right (very faint) and the back cover just has one small scuff mark near the bottom.  A fine example overall.

The original swirl inner (dated 0470) has no side splits or tears and no marking as such, just some of the usual age related fading around the edges and some creasing.

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

6360009  1Y // 1   1 1 2

6360009   2Y // 1   1 1 1

At the moment eBay do not allow shipping to Russia due to the ongoing crisis.  Apologies to my Russian customers, you know who to blame.

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.

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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!!

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