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 generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Genesis : Nursery Cryme A-1U / B-2U 1st Press Pink Scroll Charisma label 1971

This first pressing plays to a superb standard with only very minimal background and there are no clicks, pops or static getting in the way.  S1 plays with real quality with only a small number of very light static ticks and every track grades as Near Mint.  The clarity is stunning on both sides but S2 just surpasses S1!  Only 'Harlequin' grades as Near Mint the other three are Mint!  The vinyl has been so well preserved and because of that the power and depth of the audio is so impressive.  The powerful sections are incredible!  A stunning example overall. 

The textured gatefold is in superb condition also with no obvious wear, the only downside being a name written inside the cover where the record goes in.  But really you won't find a better one!  The inner sleeve is in excellent shape also.

This first pressing has the A1/B2 matrix, HIPTOP is etched on the S1 run off and the gatefold is textured.

CAS 1052 A - 1U  HILTOP / B - 2U  JB // RM 1 / RM 2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  There are a few faint hairlines with only a couple on S1 that are a little more obvious when you hold it at an angle under a bright light.  All superficial of course as they have no impact on the audio.  The run out grooves are very clean and the pink scroll Charisma labels have no marking and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 has no background so you know you're onto a good thing!  The intro on 'The Musical Box' plays with stunning clarity and then the opening vocal is comparable to that with only 3/4 mega quiet statics, totally non-intrusive.  The following instrumental is 'as new' and the next vocal is equal to that.  There are a couple of light ticks during the next instrumental section but the clarity of sound is still so impressive.  The next vocal is flawless and then as the volume increases the playback is superb!  The audio is so strong during this instrumental with incredible depth and resonance and no intrusion.  A couple of light ticks just after and then the next quiet vocal section plays with impeccable clarity once more.  The next high octane instrumental is just phenomenal and 'as new' again sums it up perfectly.  The final vocal section is flawless and it builds with sublime power and depth.... and no interference.  This is so close to the 'complete' version and not far off a Mint- but I will grade as Near Mint because of the small number of light ticks.

'For Absent Friends' plays with exceptional clarity from start to finish with only a handful of light statics.  There is no underlying static and again this is so close to Mint- but Near Mint is certainly fair.

The intro on 'The Return Of The Giant Hogweed' has only a couple of minor statics at the start of the intro and the rest is flawless.  Gabriel's opening vocal section has no intrusion and it continues to play with real clarity and power from that point on.  I only noticed a couple of minor ticks, not clicks!  The instrumental that begins with the piano section is superb!  I cannot overstate how well it plays and the final vocal is just as good.  The powerful finale is STUNNING with no distortion on the top end.  Another 'high end' track that has to grade as Near Mint at the very least.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The intro on 'Seven Stones' has background and the opening vocal is on the same level.  The first emotive chorus is faultless and the following instrumental again plays with crystal clear audio.  In fact this high end standard is kept up to the very end.  From start to finish this little classic plays with sensational clarity, depth and warmth.  I mean Banks' organ section at the end is just incredible!  Even the quiet ending plays perfectly and this is without doubt a Mint version.

'Harold The Barrel' once again shows just how well this vinyl has been looked after.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with stunning precision with no intrusion of any kind and that includes the quiet piano end section.  Mint

'Harlequin' plays so clearly for such a quiet track.  The opening vocal has no background apart from a couple of barely audible dust ticks and there is just one static tick at the beginning of first chorus and a minor tick on the next verse.  Aside from that the clarity of sound is superb and Near Mint is deserved.

The intro on 'The Fountain Of Salmacis' has no background and the opening vocal is 'as new' also, not even a dust tick.  It continues to play with such quality and I cannot find one single negative.  Even the quieter instrumental sections have no intrusion and despite being the final track on the side there is no inner groove distortion as you approach the end.  The crescendo finale is a case in point, pure perfect audio.  A long track and yet I am more than happy to grade it as Mint as it just could not play any better.  The definitive version you could say.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The textured cover is in fantastic condition and is the finest example I have ever seen.  The edges have no wear as such, just a tiny rub in each corner you could say.  The wide spine is incredibly clean as are the corners which like I say only have very minor rubbing and the opening edge has no handling wear.  The front cover is practically 'as new' with only only a tiny corner crease near the top and bottom of the spine but is so minor it hardly warrants a mention!  The back cover is pristine and the inside of the gatefold is immaculate also.  I guess the only negative is a name written on the inside of the opening sleeve where the record slides in.  Overall though this is super clean copy of this iconic cover.

The plain white inner sleeve (Patent Applied For) has no side splits or tears and minimal creasing.  A handful of minor spots and just a little age related fading.

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

CAS 1052 A - 1U  HILTOP / B - 2U  JB //   / RM 1 / RM 2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 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

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!