Gentle Giant : Octopus 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press

This rare and collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard with only minimal interference.  The vast majority is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.

It was released in 1972 on the Vertigo 'swirl' label.  A first pressing is denoted by having the 'Alucard Music' credit on the label.  Later editions had 'Excellency Music' credited.

The gatefold is in near perfect condition and is the finest version I have seen in many a year.  This album was either issued with a Vertigo inner sleeve or a 'Plastic Bags...' inner sleeve dated 1172 and this one has the latter which is in great condition.

6360080  1Y // 1? 420   1 1  6

6360020  2Y // 1? 420   1 1  2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint- / Track 3 Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint / Track 4 Near Mint-)

The gatefold is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint-

The original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is Ex+

  The vinyl is in superb condition and retains an amazing glossy sheen.  There are no marks or scratches and under a strong light I can only detect a small number of very faint hairlines, they are not easy to find!  You won't find many better first pressings than this!  There is not too much spindle wear and the run out grooves and labels are also extremely clean.

Play grading

The opening grooves on 'The Advent Of Panurge' play with stunning clarity when you consider how quiet it is.  With only a handful of barely audible dust ticks this is superb start to the album, no interference basically.  The quiet vocal continues in the same manner and as the volume increases the quality of the audio is faultless.  There are four static ticks just after the 'Look at my friend...' section but that is the only 'background' to be found.  Aside from that the audio plays with superb clarity and depth so will grade as Near Mint- although the vast majority is Mint without question.

'Raconteur, Troubadour' is practically 'as new' from beginning to end.  The clarity is outstanding and the only 'background' is a couple of faint ticks which are totally non-intrusive.  I write what I hear as my regular customers will testify regardless of how minor the imperfection is.  And these ticks are minor!  A 'high end' Mint- version.

'A Cry For Everyone' has only minimal static on the intro but this is very much buried in the music.  There is no underlying persistent static and from then on then plays with great clarity and definition.  With only a little static at the start of the third verse and a little more on the 'If I could cry' line this is a very impressive version overall.  The remainder is faultless but I will grade as Ex+ despite the majority being better than that.  I believe it is a fair grading.

The quiet acapella intro on 'Knots' plays with stunning precision - no 'background' at all not even a dust tick.  As the music starts the clarity is equally as good and the definition of the audio here could not be any clearer.  From start to finish all I heard was one faint tick so a Mint- grade is more than deserved.  There is also no 'background' on the fade out giving you a good idea of the clarity on offer here.  A fantastic version to end the side.

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

The intro on 'The Boys In The Band' is stunning including the laugh!  There is barely any static and as the music kicks in the playback is superb.  This entire instrumental plays with incredible clarity and with only a couple of faint ticks in the middle section a Near Mint grade is about right.  The music plays beautifully and with such sharp definition, you would not think this record was approaching 50 years of age.

'Dog's Life' plays with stunning precision from the very first note.  With so many quieter sections I cannot overstate how immaculate the audio is here.  There is no intrusion - there is clarity and then there is clarity like this!  The sonic quality is 'as new' and with not one solitary dust tick I am confident in grading this as Mint you could not find a better version.

The piano intro on 'Think Of Me With Kindness' is near perfect with only a minor hint of mega light static at the start.  The first vocal plays beautifully with no intrusion and as the percussion comes in there is no decrease in quality.  This is a 'high end' version and with no clicks or pops etc there is no interference.  The quiet sections play with wonderful clarity and the worst that can be said is that there are only a small number of dust ticks!  This emotive track grades as Mint- in my opinion.

'River' ends the album with superb audio.  The intro is flawless and it continues in the same precise way.  I have listened to it twice and the only interference is some static distortion on the guitar solo half way through.  Thereafter it plays nigh on perfectly with barely any distortion and the final verse has no 'background' at all.  I would say Near Mint- is fair as there is only 3 to 4 seconds of static distortion.  The remainder plays with great clarity and depth.

In summary this first pressing may not be quite as 'mint' as the Gentle Giant debut that I am also selling but the vast majority does indeed play with stunning quality.  There is only minimal interference and there are certainly no loud clicks or pops.  I would say the most intrusive 'sound' are a few seconds of static distortion but yes this is kept to a minimum.  Now if you want a near mint cover then this is the one to own!  It is beautifully clean, definitely the best I have ever seen.

The Gatefold

This cover is in lovely condition and remains very strong as if it hasn't been handled very much.  The edges and spine are in perfect condition with no wear and it's not often you can say that!  The corners are in fantastic shape with no obvious wear at all and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front and back cover are both 'as new' I have never seen them looking so clean.  The inside of the gatefold is very close to being perfect - the only thing that keep it from being so are a small number of very faint age 'spots' against the white background.  Overall it would be difficult to find a first press cover and Near Mint is no exaggeration.  Superb!

The Labels

The Vertigo labels are very clean with no marking or writing and not too much spindle wear as stated.

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Plastic Bags...' inner dated 1172 has no side splits or tears and only a little age related fading here and there.  There is only minor creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

6360080  1Y // 1? 420   1 1  6

6360020  2Y // 1? 420   1 1  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

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £9.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!