A Day At The Races 1st Press 1U/1U (Mega Rare G1/G1 stampers!)

This is a genuine collectors' piece as 'G1' pressings are so rarely found today and yes it has the 'G1' stamper on both sides!  These stampers are the 'holy grail' for the any collector and are therefore highly prized.  Any record with a 'G' stamper letter indicates that the record was made from the very first stamper using EMIs GRAMOPHLTD system where G = 1 and R = 2 etc.  A record with an 'MH' stamp would therefore have been made with the 47th stamper.  Generally 300-500 records were pressed with each stamper so you can see just how early this one is hence the rarity.  It could even be the first off the press!

EMTC 104 // YAX 5245 - 1U / YAX 5246 - 1U // G 1 / G 1

The audio on S1 is Ex (Near Mint in many sections / track 4 varies between VG+ and Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Mint- in many sections / track 2 intro Ex-)

The gatefold is VG+

The picture inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

For genuine very first G1/G1 press the vinyl is very impressive visually.  S1 does have a few faint hairlines of which 3/4 are a little more obvious but S2 is in lovely condition with only a small number of sleeve removal hairlines.  There are no scratches on either side and it retains a very healthy glossy sheen.  For a 42 year old record it is in excellent condition and any fan that collects the G1/G1 first pressings will not be disappointed.  It has not been overplayed and there is very little spindle wear on each side.

Play grading

The 'orchestral' intro on 'Tie Your Mother Down' plays superbly with next to no static and provides a fantastic start to this super rare first pressing.  The audio then plays with a depth and power that can only be described as Mint- it is stunning!  There is no distortion and it 'rocks out' loud and true with great definition.  It basically plays 'as new'!  'You Take My Breath Away' plays with very impressive sound for the vast majority but with a little static here and there, a little more at the beginning and 3/4 seconds of crackle near the end.  In saying that there are many lengthy sections that play with Near Mint quality and there are certainly no loud clicks or pops.  'Long Away' is nigh on perfect with only a handful of mega light static sounds, nothing intrusive.  Just a little crackle right at the end.  'The Millionaire Waltz' intro has very little static and plays very clearly indeed.  As the vocal begins this clarity continues with barely any 'background'.  There are three clicks at the beginning of the second verse and a little static/crackle but not very much is intrusive.  The 'rock' mid section is stunning and the following quiet section plays with the odd crackle sound also.  So there is a little interference on this track and I would say the quality ranges between VG+ and Ex+.  The end section however, plays very well with just the one light click.  'You And I' has only a hint of light static on the intro and then plays with fantastic audio for the remainder.  The clarity could not be any better and there are no clicks or pops at all.  A very impressive end to S1.

'Somebody To Love' plays with wonderful audio from the very first groove and this does not diminish in any way.  It is a superb version and has no intrusive 'background' at all.  With only a couple of light static sounds during the 'Find me somebody to love...' section this is audio of the highest standard and is easily grades as Near Mint and perhaps higher.  'White Man' has a little static and a couple of crackle sounds on the quiet intro but still plays very clearly and there are no loud clicks or pops.  As it progresses the audio is stunning and does not disappoint.  The depth on the guitar work and the sonic quality is immense, it plays fantastically well!  Plus there is no distortion at all.  The quiet end section has barely any static and ends the track in superb style.  'Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy' is Mint- without a doubt and has no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  Audio does not get better than this!  I am delighted to say 'Drowse' is of exactly the same standard and plays practically as new apart from a handful of light static sounds on the fade out.  The classic 'Let Us Cling Together' has hardly any static on the intro, just the odd dust tick really.  It is a very impressive opening when you consider how quiet it is.  This stunning clarity continues and there is just no intrusive interference, I heard a couple of light static sounds only.  As it builds there is no distortion and the choral section is immaculate.  There is just a little static as it ends and some intermittent crackle on the final recurring guitar section.  Overall though a highly impressive version that brings the album to a satisfying close.

In summary this highly collectable G1/G1 first pressing plays extremely well for the vast majority and much of it plays as Near Mint if not better.  Yes there is a little static/crackle but it is minimal and not often intrusive.  Of course this is a very collectable album when you consider the rarity of the vinyl and as my feedback confirms I take my grading seriously.  I listen to every second of every rare record as the buyer deserves this.  G1/G1 stampers are rarely on the 'market' and especially in this condition.

The Gatefold

The original G&L gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear.  These covers are notoriously difficult to keep clean and so many you see today are in poor condition.  This is not one of them!  The top edges have only a few small rub marks and whilst the bottom edges have less there are two more obvious areas of rubbing that can be seen on the photos.  The wide spine remains 100% legible and as always has the two lines running down it caused by the cover being opened.  There is only minor corner wear, just a little more on the bottom right one.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean but does have some minor spotting and some creases around the edges.  Bizarrely it also has a mottled type affect which can only been seen when held at a certain angle and this is also on the back.  This back cover is otherwise relatively clean but with some 'spotting' around the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is in excellent shape and with only a little fading around the edges.  I will grade the cover as VG+ but like I say it is much better than many you see today!

The Picture inner

The original inner with the rounded corners is in near perfect condition with only a small number of very faint 'spots'.  There are no side splits and it remains a very clean example.

The labels

The labels are super clean with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of spindle wear, hardly any really.

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

This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

EMC 3061 // YAX 4881 - 3U / YAX 4882 - 4U // G 1 / G 1

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 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.

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