Relics A1/B2

This genuine first pressing on the blue Starline label has stunning audio and the textured cover is the most immaculate, pristine version I have ever seen.

SRS 5071 // A - 1 / B - 2 // LP 2 / GAP 2

The audio on S1 is Mint- (99% is Mint!)

The audio on S2 is Mint (tracks 2 & 3 are Near Mint)

The cover is Mint-

The labels are Mint

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl is in perfect condition and is visually stunning without a doubt.  I have never seen a better example and even the spindle hole has a little flaking still around it proving that it has hardly been played, just the once at most.  It gleams as new and has an incredible mirror like glossy sheen and has no spindle wear.  I can only detect a very low number of mega faint sleeve removal hairlines that are barely visible and there are no scratches.  With super clean labels and run out grooves this is as good as new.  An absolute stunner!

Play grading  

'Arnold Layne' plays with superb quality from the very first note.  The sonic quality here is astounding and this is without doubt a vinyl that has been hardly played the clarity is just incredible.  There is no interference here and the definition is 'high end' indeed i.e. there is no muddiness to the sound whatsoever.  This opening tracks easily grades as Mint the quality is stunning.  'Interstellar Overdrive' plays to the same exacting standard, it is superb!  There are no clicks or pops and once more the clarity is stunning.  The first quiet section is unbelievable and all you can hear is the perfect definition of the music and there is no 'background' of any kind.  This has to be the most impressive version of this classic I have heard in many a year and is 'as new'.  It plays with such dynamic power throughout and there is no distortion on the top end either which is a rarity.  There is no let up in quality and the crescendo end section is breathtaking!  Plus no 'background' on the fade out either.  With complete silence in the dead wax 'See Emily Play' then plays with a clarity and depth that is second to none and again there is nothing intrusive at all.  Just a couple of dust ticks on the fade out.  'Remember A Day' is equally as impressive although (incredibly!) I did hear a couple of mega light static sounds.  However, it hardly qualifies as interference and it still grades as Mint- in my opinion.  'Paintbox' ends the side with, you guessed it, superlative audio.  Again the audio plays with perfect precision.  This time this is the 'cleanest' version of this track I have ever heard.  It is absolutely stunning and the definition on each note is so clear.  It is so rare for a final track to play as clearly as this and again provides further proof that this vinyl has been hardly played.  The end piano section is exceptional and just plays 'as new'.  Wow what a side!

The classic 'Julia Dream' on S2 continues in the same style and grades as Mint the audio is that good.  A beautiful version without doubt.  The super quiet intro on 'Careful With That Axe, Eugene' has a minimal amount of static and I do mean minimal!  Certainly not intrusive.  About one minute in there are a couple of faint clicks but thereafter the audio is absolutely incredible!  The depth and power of the sound is as if the record was pressed yesterday.  There are not enough adjectives to describe the audio here.  The sonic quality is again of the highest calibre and I suspect this track has never been played.  Even the quiet extended end section plays with clarity that is so rarely heard.  A couple of dust ticks only but a wonderful ending nonetheless.  The 'Cirrus Minor' intro plays with superb clarity and only a couple of mega quiet static sounds.  Let's not forget this vinyl is 47 years old and this intro is as quiet as it gets really and it still plays with great precision.  It continues in the same way with only a hint of light static that is very much in the background and totally non-intrusive.  The closing section is just as quiet and plays to near perfection, just a couple of 'ticks' on the final note.  'The Nile Song' plays loud and true from the start and impressively has no distortion at all.  A fantastic version in anyone's opinion.  'Biding My Time' begins superbly with next to no static on the intro, practically Mint I would say.  The 'jazz/rock' section then does play as Mint the depth and definition on show here is sublime, it could not play any better.  Fabulous!  'Bike' then ends this stunning album with superb audio from start to finish.  A minimal amount of distortion perhaps but this is just how it was recorded.  There is no interference and the silent interlude is exactly that, completely silent!  This gives you a perfect example of the stunning clarity on offer here.  The instrumental end section then plays with perfect precision.

In summary this final upgrade archive first pressing is the best example of its kind I have ever seen or heard.  It is quite simply stunning and plays with remarkable clarity and depth for a vinyl nearing 50 years old.  This has only been played once I would say and the vinyl is in immaculate condition as is the superb cover.

The Cover

What can I say about this original G&L textured cover?  It is as close to Mint as you will find basically!  And this is so rare for this predominantly white cover.  The edges and spine are in sublime condition and are 'as new'.  The same can be said for the opening edge.  The corners are also in fantastic order with only a couple of mega tiny (and I mean barely visible!) creases.  The cover has no marking or staining anywhere and is easily the cleanest one I have ever seen.

Inner sleeve

The original plain white die-cut inner sleeve has no splits or tears and remains in superb condition.  There is just some very minor creasing and EMI/Harvest inner sleeve is no longer poly-lined but has no splits to any of the sides.  There is just some light creasing and a couple of tiny tears on the top edge.

The labels

The blue Starline labels are as good 'as new' and have no marking or writing and no spindle wear.  As mentioned there is a still a little vinyl flaking around the spindle confirming this has hardly ever been played if at all!  You will not find cleaner.

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

SRS 5071 // A - 1 / B - 2 // LP 2 / GAP 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

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Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY PLUS INSURANCE AND THIS COSTS AN EXTRA £7.50 IN TOTAL.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE, 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.

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REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

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