A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 2/2 (First pressing)

This iconic LP is now over 40 years old and for a first pressing it is in stunning condition.  The vinyl has the famous Blairs, not 'Blair's cut' etched into the dead wax as per the early pressings.  The gatefold with the embossed crest is superb, practically like new, and very probably the best I have ever seen.  It also includes picture inner with the cut corners and no splits!

YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // Mother stampers PA 4 & GRA 4

Visual grading

  Under a strong bright light I can detect a few very faint hairlines no doubt caused by sleeve removal.  There is one longer more obvious hairline on S1 but it does not affect the audio in any way.  Despite being over 40 years of age it has retained its glossy sheen and whilst there is a little spindle wear this LP has obviously been so well looked after as confirmed by the stunning audio and beautiful gatefold.

Play grading  

There is almost no lead in static to 'Death on Two Legs' and it then plays with loud, stunning audio that is among the best I have ever heard.  There is no crackle and practically no background interference.  This is a genuine rarity!  There are a few very faint 'dust ticks' that most sellers would not even mention and a professional clean would remove this.  They have no impact on the audio quality whatsoever.  The audio throughout the side is stunning and the clarity and resonance is breathtaking for any pressing let alone a 2/2 first pressing.  There is almost complete silence between tracks.  There is perhaps very slightly more static during 'Sweet Lady' and 'Seaside Rendezvous'.  The latter always plays with some distortion due to the grooves being pressed closer together so as to 'fit' the track onto the side.  I do not over-grade as my feedback testifies and I would confidently grade Side One as Near Mint- it is that good.

There is just a hint of static and two faint clicks at the start of 'The Prophet's Song' and then plays with very clear audio with only faint static here and there, an excellent listen.  The quiet intro into 'Love of my Life' plays with a little faint static and one click but I only mention this for completeness.  It remains a wonderful listen with any background noise being largely inconsequential.  A superb rendition of 'Good Company' follows and then 'you know which track' (!) plays beautifully with almost no static.  A superb ending to this classic LP.

This is genuine final upgrade copy from the archive without doubt.  With only the faintest of static and 2/3 clicks the audio is stunning and so clear it is hard to forget it is 41 years old.

  Gatefold cover

The embossed G & L gatefold is absolutely stunning and ranks among the best I have ever seen.  There is no discolouration which is so common and has retained its 'whiteness' amazingly well.  It is almost impossible to find fault with it it is that good!  It is just a shade off Mint.  There are 2/3 barely visible tiny marks on the front cover but this gatefold has been cared for supremely well.  The edges and spine are in superb order and the inside is as new.  It is so rare to find this iconic gatefold in such superlative condition and could not be beaten for quality.  Of course being a first pressing it doesn't have the glossy sheen of later versions.

Picture inner

This has the three cut corners as per the early pressings and has no splits, how rare it that?!!  There are just a few small creases around the edges and overall is in wonderful condition.  It ranks as one of the best I have seen in a long time.

Labels

Both labels are in superb condition with only a little spindle wear.

Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system

YAX 5063 - 2 / YAX 5064 - 2 // Mother stampers PA 4 & GRA 4

Side One is Near Mint-

Side Two is Ex++

The picture inner is Ex+

The

labels are Near Mint-

Any questions please feel free to ask

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