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Freedom : Freedom Is More Than A Word 1Y1 / 2Y2 1st press 1972 Vertigo

This first pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal interference.  At first I thought the entire album was going to play without any background and S1 does indeed play with stunning quality.  However, S2 does have a couple of clicky sounds on 'Direction' caused by a tiny 'speck' that refuses to move and another couple on 'Dream' caused by a speck that I did manage to remove!  Apart from that S2 plays with genuine quality and like I say S1 is incredible!  The sonic quality on both sides is superb and there is no distortion at all.

The die-cut 'window' cover is in excellent order with only one small tear in the centre but is so much cleaner than many I have seen.  The original Vertigo inner sleeve is in very good condition with just a little wear.

This first pressing has a small Vertigo logo on the label and the title is abridged to 'More Than A Word' on the front cover.

6360072 1Y//1▽420 1 1 3  04

 6360072 2Y//2▽420 1 1 5  04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 VG for a couple of seconds / T3 opening vocal VG for 2/3 seconds / T4 Near Mint)

The die-cut gatefold is Ex-

The Vertigo inner sleeve is VG+

The Vertigo labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  S2 does have one tiny 'speck' on the first track which causes a couple of clicks and it just won't move!  Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't!  However, it really is a very clean vinyl and has clearly been looked after well and I can only see a few faint hairlines.  The Vertigo labels are unmarked and have only minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background and then the intro on 'Together' plays with incredible clarity with just one very quiet static.  Perfect in other words!  Harrison's opening vocal section is on the same level and it continues to play 'as new' through every section.  The depth and warmth of the audio is second to none and I am 100% confident in grading it as Mint such is the quality.

'Miss Little Louise' is so close to that grade with just one very light tick between verses.  Aside from that it plays beautifully with no background static and no clicks or pops.  A perfect fade out also.  Mint-

The intro on 'Sweaty Feet' has no interference and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  Already it is obvious this vinyl has hardly been played.  Not only that but it has been so well looked after also.  The following instrumental plays with imperious quality as does the next vocal and to the end it plays with stunning precision.  This is a 'busy' powerful track and yet the audio does not suffer for it, there is no distortion on the top end.  Another Mint track.

The intro on 'Brainbox Jam' has only a handful of barely audible statics and from then on plays as per the rest of the side.  This also deserves the 'as new' moniker because the sonic quality cannot be faulted in any way.  Playing like it has never been on a turntable before the clarity, depth and power of the audio is sensational.  You know the grade... Mint

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The piano intro on 'Direction' plays perfectly but as the drums comes in there are a couple of clicky sounds caused by the tiny white 'speck' as mentioned.  The opening vocal has no background and it proceeds in the same way with no other intrusion on the audio.  The brief silent 'moment' is totally silent and the piano section that follows plays with real precision.  Once again you cannot fault the clarity of sound - ok a couple of light statics in the next silent passage but the closing instrumental plays with stunning quality including the long fade out.  The vast majority is Mint- but I will grade that one brief moment as VG

The 'heavier' intro on 'Going Down' is superb and the first vocal is equal to that.  The audio is strong and deep with nothing to detract from the sound.  Has to be played loud this one!  It continues to play with great power and definition and it just has to grade as Mint

The gentle piano intro on 'Dream' has no background although the opening vocal does have one light tick and a couple of clicks.  There was a 'speck' which I managed to remove but yes left a little interference sadly.  As the strings come in the playback is flawless and it continues in the same way with no other interference.  The final vocal is perfect - the opening vocal is VG but the remainder deserves a Mint grading.

'Ladybird' plays with stunning quality from the get go.  From the quiet intro / opening vocal to the first up tempo vocal the playback is superb and there is only a couple of seconds of light static just prior to the next quiet vocal.  From then on it plays with great quality and with no background to speak of.  Great definition here and power with no distortion.  The quiet ending plays so clearly with only the lightest of background static.  Near Mint is a fair assessment.

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The die-cut 'window' cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The edges have only a little rubbing and the spine remains strong with barely any wear.  The corners have very little wear, although perhaps just a bit more top and bottom right of the front cover.  The opening edge has only a little handling wear on the back edge and the front cover is very clean with only one very small tear on the die-cut window and a little creasing just above it.  Aside from that it's in great shape with barely any wear and the back cover is superb with only light rubbing on the bottom edge and a couple of tiny corner creases.  The inside of the gatefold is super clean with no obvious wear, a couple of specks and minor print rubbing along the top edge.  A fine example overall and better than many I have seen.

The Vertigo inner sleeve (dated 1070) has no side splits but does have one tear on the central aperture and a little writing on it.  It has hardly any other marking and only a little creasing.

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

6360072 1Y//1▽420 1 1 3  04

 6360072 2Y//2▽420 1 1 5  04

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!!

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LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

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