Queen I (3U/2U - O1 stamper on each side)

This debut record is highly collectable today as it has the very first pressing matrix of 3U/2U.  Most people think that 3U/3U is the first press but no the 3U/2U was pressed first but only in limited numbers.  I have only sold three I believe and this one just has a single 'O' stamper on each side.  Based on EMIs system this record was pressed with the 5th stamper on each side so when consider only 300-500 records were made with each stamper you can see just how early this vinyl is.

Not only that but it has 'KIP - HUGGYPOO KISSY' on S1 and 'OFF WITH HIS HEAD' on S2 etched on the run out grooves.  This S2 etching is rare as all the 3U/3U pressings have AGAIN! etched onto S2.

  EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // O1 / O1

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / Ex- on a couple of intros and fade outs)

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / Ex- on a couple of intros and fade outs)

 The cover is Ex-

The inner is Ex-

The labels are Ex+

  This vinyl has been played a fair amount judging by the hairlines and spindle wear but there are no scratches.  This is one of those vinyls that plays a lot better than it looks!  I do not mean to overly criticise the visual look because I have seen far worse but yes there are a number of hairlines and a handful of tiny 'specks' also on S2 but they have very little affect on the audio.  In fact only a couple of hairlines are what you call obvious, the rest are superficial and very faint.  As I say there are no scratches or other markings.  The labels are very clean as are the run out grooves and the matrix numbers and etchings are 100% legible.

Play grading

'Keep Yourself Alive' has only minimal static on the intro and then plays with with wonderful depth and clarity.  There are no clicks or pops and the playback is stunning and especially so for a rare 3U/2U first pressing.  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, the sonic quality is so strong, and apart from the intro static and a little on the final 3/4 seconds of the fade out this is Near Mint of that I am confident.

There is also some static on the 'Doing All Right' intro but it isn't intrusive and has more or less disappeared as soon as the percussion comes in.  From then on it plays extremely well with only a little static in the quieter sections although the music still comes through strongly.  The louder guitar sections play with tremendous power and definition and no distortion at all.

'Great King Rat' again plays impressively.  Yes there is some ubiquitous light static on the intro but from then on the audio is so powerful and there is nothing to detract from the playback.  It is stunning!  This sound quality is so rarely found on any early pressing let alone a 3U/2U one!  Every note is so clear and again there is no distortion.  Even in that brief quiet passage there is only minimal 'background' and May's solo that follows - I don't think I have heard better!  It plays with such power and clarity and to the end it plays in superb style and there is no interference on the percussive fade out.

'My Fairy King' has a stunning intro with hardly any 'background' and then Taylor's scream has never sounded any better!  There is a minor hint of static prior to Mercury's first vocal and it then plays very clearly with only a very small number of light static sounds, they are very much in the background and non-intrusive.  The quiet 'someone...' section has a light 'hiss' here and there but it still plays incredibly well with no static and no clicks or pops.  The build up to the final instrumental could not play any better and this crescendo section then plays with a depth and power that is second to none.  There is some crackle on the final note of the fade out but hey this record is approaching 50!  

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'Liar' has no intrusive static on the intro and as soon as May comes in the audio is stunning.  No clicks or pops again.  The section up until the first vocal is breathtaking!  There is minimal static on the first verse and it proceeds to play with fantastic power and defintion.  There is no question that much of this track plays with Near Mint quality the audio can hardly be faulted.  A heavy track and yet there is no distortion.  There may be some hairlines on the record but this is quite simply an incredible version of this timeless classic and to the end it plays with immaculate Near Mint precision if not better!

'The Night Comes Down' has minimal 'background' on the intro and just the one light tick, there is nothing intrusive.  In fact the opening instrumental section plays exceptionally well.  The first verse has light static only and the clarity still remains excellent.  From then on it plays very clearly with no clicks or pops just a little static here and there.  An Ex+ grading is a fair grading overall - the final instrumental ends the track in fine style with no interference.

'Modern Times Rock 'N' Roll' is loud and true from start to finish and plays with real power and depth and a stunning deep bass sound.  I heard just the one light tick, not a click!  A superb Near Mint version.

'Son And Daughter' has one light click about 20 seconds in but aside from that it plays with excellent clarity.  There is a little distortion but it is only minor.  There is little to detract from the overall quality.  The end section plays extremely well but with some hiss/static on the final 2/3 seconds.

'Jesus' has only light 'background' on the intro and a couple of crackle sounds and then plays with great clarity and depth.  So often this track has a fair amount of inner groove distortion but it is kept to an absolute minimum here.  The 'loud' instrumental towards the end plays with faultless Mint- precision - it sounds fantastic!  Wow!  No distortion here.  The remainder also plays with wonderful clarity.

'Seven Seas Of Rhye' ends this classic album with only a couple of static sounds on the intro and for a final 'track' plays very clearly indeed.  There is no obvious 'background' and even the long fade out plays extremely well with only a little hiss right at the end.  There are no clicks or pops.

In summary this genuine first pressing plays with great clarity and power from start to finish.  It's so rare to find a 3U/2U pressing and even more so one with single stampers!  There is minimal interference and only the one obvious click and yes I do play every second of every track!  There is a little static at the beginning and end of most tracks but it's not particularly intrusive and as stated the remainder of the audio is very impressive.  The cover is also in lovely condition for a first pressing.

The Cover

The G & L cover is in excellent condition which is a rarity for such an early first presssing.  The thin edges and spine have barely any rubbing and are super clean and there is not very much corner wear either.  The bottom right corner just has a little more.  The opening edge has no real handling wear at all.  The front cover is very clean but does have a small number of faint creases and a little ringwear and the back cover has only faint creases around the edges.  Not a perfect cover but a highly creditable one nonetheless.

Inner Sleeve

The die-cut plain white inner has no splits or tears and only some minor creasing and a very small amount of age related fading.  It has the patent number and 'Made In England' printed on one side.

The Labels

The original EMI labels are very clean with no marking or writing and only some spindle wear as stated.

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

EMC 3006 // YAX 4623 - 3U / YAX 4624 - 2U // O1 / O1

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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