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.

Gentle Giant : Three Friends 1Y2 / 2Y2 1st Press 1972

This first pressing plays to an incredible standard with barely any intrusion.  In fact the only interference is one dull tick that could possibly be classified as a light click towards the end of S1.  As always I have played every track in full and it would be difficult to find a more 'complete' version because the clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is quite simply on another level.  It has hardly been played in my opinion based on the audio and the stunning visual quality of the vinyl and the absolute minimal spindle wear.  There is still a little vinyl 'flecking' around the spindle hole!

The gatefold is in very good condition with only a little wear here and there but it has retained its original shape and structure perfectly.  The original Vertigo inner sleeve is in great condition.

This pressing has the 1Y2 / 2Y2 matrix record and 'Peel The Paint' is listed as 'Feel The Paint' on the S2 label.

6360070 1Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1  4   04

6360070 2Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1  6   04

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is VG+

The Vertigo inner sleeve is Ex+

The Vertigo labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a handful of ultra faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out, two on S2 but still not that obvious.  This is one stunning vinyl!  The Vertigo labels are practically 'as new' with barely any spindle wear on S1 and a only a minimal amount on S2.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Prologue' is perfect and the following instrumental is just as clean with no background.  Superb depth and power here.  The first quiet passage is 'as new' and the first vocal is equal to that, so far so good!  The second vocal again has no intrusion and the next instrumental plays with sublime clarity also, a couple of barely audible statics that is all.  I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and clear the audio is and the final powerful section is of the same standard.  It has such a long fade out and yet there is not so much as a dust tick.  I truly believe Mint- is a fair reflection of the audio here.

The very quiet intro on 'Schooldays' is more or less perfect with only a handful of insignificant light statics and the opening vocal section then plays with stunning precision.  It continues to play with a clarity and warmth that defies the age of the album and the gentle piano section is a classic example of that.  There are only a couple of very quiet ticks here.  The next vocal passage is so impressive and again there are no clicks or pops and no background static either.  The end vocal / instrumental is flawless and overall Mint- is deserved here, a stunning version in so many way.

The intro on 'Working All Day' has no intrusion and the first powerful vocal section is out of this world!  The depth here is so strong and the audio definition just as impressive.  From then on it plays with a sonic quality that has not deteriorated in any way and it's easy to forget this record is now 53 years old!  The long instrumental with Minnear working his magic plays wo well with no distortion at all.  There is one dull tick / very light click in the quiet section that follows but that is the only intrusion across the entire track.  The final vocal / instrumental are 'as new' - clearly 99% plays with STUNNING quality but because of that one minor infringement I will have to grade it as Near Mint

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'Peel The Paint' plays with impeccable quality from the word go.  The opening vocal has only a couple of mega light statics and the first strings section plays beautifully with no interference.  It continues in the same way - this is a record that has been so well preserved down the decades.  The first high octane section is exceptional and again the sheer depth and definition of the audio and the separation could not be any stronger.  Green's solo section is on the same level and the remainder of this 7 minute classic has no intrusion either.  A stunning Mint- section.

The quiet intro on 'Mister Class And Quality?' plays with wonderful clarity and the opening vocal is comparable.  The following instrumental can only be described 'as new' and the second vocal is faultless.  It's not often you find this first press playing with such precision and that 'clean' sound is very much in evidence on this track.  The long instrumental passage is STUNNING and the final vocal more than keeps up this exemplary standard.  It has to grade as Mint I cannot find one single negative!

The 'choral' vocal on 'Three Friends' plays with STUNNING quality, honestly the playback is incredible.  I may be getting a little carried away here (!) but first and foremost I am a fan so I'm sure I can be forgiven!  The instrumental section then plays with such depth, power and warmth and the long fade out again has no intrusion, not one dust tick as I like to say.  Once again I have no hesitation in grading this classic as Mint such is the quality.  This is one high end album!

The Gatefold & Vertigo Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent shape overall with not too much shelf wear.  The edges and spine are in superb shape with no obvious wear and the corners are very clean also.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover has a little fading along the top edge and some light spotting / marking near the right edge but it is minimal.  The back cover has only a little faint marking and some ringwear at the top and bottom.  The inside of the gatefold is very clean apart from 3/4 small marks on each side caused by the panels sticking together at some point.

The original Vertigo inner (dated 0372) is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, barely any age related fading and very little creasing.  Two minor spots only.

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

6360070 1Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1  4   04

6360070 2Y // 2 ▽ 420 1 1  6   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!!

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 : £22.95 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!!