News Of The World 1/2 (1st Pressing)

This first pressing is practically 'as new' and I'm not sure I've ever seen or heard a better one.  There is no interference on either side and qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE version for certain.  The vinyl is in superlative condition as is the iconic gatefold and the lyric inner has no splits - how rare is that!  This is also one of the earlier first pressings as it has only two stampers on each side.

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // AM 4 / OT 2

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint-

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This vinyl is in immaculate condition and rarely will you see a first press as visually stunning as this.  It just looks 'as new' and even up close I cannot detect any obvious hairlines and it goes without saying that there are no marks or scratches.  It has a beautiful mirror-like glossy sheen and only one small spindle trace on S1 and two on S2.  It has clearly hardly ever been played and that is reflected in the amazing audio quality.  The run out grooves and labels are also supremely clean.

Play grading  

There is no static etc on the lead in grooves so you immediately know this is a super clean vinyl!  'We Will Rock You' then plays with a depth and power that can only be described as Mint- as there is no interference at all.  The minus is only there to adhere to RC guidelines!  There is not even a solitary dust tick and no hint of distortion.  A perfect start.

The quiet intro on 'We Are The Champions' could not play with greater precision and it continues in the same immaculate style.  The clarity is exceptional and there is no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  I have just listened to this classic again and it's incredible to think this vinyl is 42 years old!  The quieter verses have no 'background' and the chorus' are as 'clean' and powerful as they were in '75.  This is a truly spectacular version the likes of which are rarely heard today and especially on a first pressing.  Who needs a minus this is Mint in every way!

'Sheer Heart Attack' is more than equal to that and plays without fault from start to finish.  There is no interference and no distortion on the top end either and is undeniably another Mint track.

This version of 'All Dead All Dead' is a prime example of a vinyl hardly played.  Of course the intro is so beautifully quiet and yet all I heard was a couple of mega faint dust ticks but, as I often say, these will be found on new vinyls let alone ones of this advanced age!  The clarity here is astounding - just listen to every piano note right to the end - they can be heard with such precision, nothing gets in the way of the music.  This may well be the 'cleanest' version of this track that I have ever heard, it cannot be faulted in any way.

'Spread Your Wings' demonstrates audio of the highest calibre and grades as Mint...again.  It will often play with some distortion but that is not the case here and the sonic quality is so impressive.  The long fade out is another example of the amazing clarity on offer.  It has no 'background' aside from a couple of dust ticks literally at the end by which time you have definitely stopped listening!

'Fight From The Inside' has a depth and power that is second to none.  As any Queen collector knows this track regularly plays with inner groove distortion but there is barely any here.  The playback is so strong and once more there are no clicks, pops, static or crackle.  What a stunning side!

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The intro on 'Get Down Make Love' has to be heard to be believed!  The opening few grooves on any record will often have static or crackle but this is 'crystal clear' clean from the very first groove.  All the more impressive of course when you consider how quiet it is.  From then on it plays 'as new' I am confident in saying with not one iota of interference.  Just pure Mint quality audio from the first groove to the last and the psychedelic instrumental section is just breathtaking!  Every chorus plays with sublime power and depth and each note can be heard perfectly.  Wow!

This is becoming a theme now but the bluesy 'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' plays to a sublime standard with no 'background' of any kind.  The audio is so rich and deep and the bass adds so much to this track.  Another perfect Mint version and yes I have played every second!  None of this 'visual grading' here!!

'Who Needs You' quite honestly sounds like it has never been played before!  There is no need to go into detail but the clarity here could not be improved in any way.  I know I go on about 'clarity' but that is how any vinyl should first be judged and this has a clarity that is as 'fresh' as the day when first released in '77.

The classic 'It's Late' has 3/4 very dull sounds on the intro but you really have to put your head close to the speakers in order to hear them!  They are not clicks and do not class as interference.  The intro actually plays with great clarity and with no intrusion.  The first verse is 'as new' and the first chorus is immense!  The power and depth here is unrivalled, it just sounds fantastic and you can turn it up to loud without fear of distortion!  There is one light tick at the end of the second verse and the remainder then plays with superb definition.  The instrumental section just builds and builds to an earth shattering crescendo and I have never heard better.  The clarity and power is so strong and well...I'm just running out of superlatives for the sheer quality on offer here.  What a version!  To the end it plays with impeccable precision and after that you need......

'My Melancholy Blues' which plays with a rare clarity from the very first note.  This track will often have some static/crackle but there is none here.  It is so 'clean' and plays with a dexterity that is oh so impressive.  From start to finish I heard only one dust tick and the playback for such a 'quiet' final track is stunning.  No static, no crackle just incredible clarity throughout.

In summary this is a FINAL UPGRADE VERSION without question.  This has only been played two, three times at most such is quality of the audio and the stunning visual 'look' and lack of spindle wear.  The playback cannot be faulted and there is complete silence in the dead wax between every track bar one I seem to remember.  This is audio of the highest quality and the gatefold and lyric inner are also in fantastic condition.

The Gatefold

The iconic G&L gatefold is in fantastic condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges have only a small number of faint 'rubs' and the wide spine just has one small white mark near the top and minimal wear on the corners.  The other corners are in great shape with very little wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The front cover has only one faint scratch line on the left side and a couple of tiny 'white' specks aand the back cover is stunning with no marking.  The inside is the same - it is in immaculate condition.  The colours throughout are strong and vibrant and look 'as new'.  A very impressive 'first press' cover and you won't find many better!

The Lyric Inner

Now you won't see any better than this!  It has the rounded corners as per the first pressings and has no marking at all!  There are no splits, just one tiny rub mark on one edge.  They are hardly ever seen like this today largely because they are made of paper and so prone to wear but this one is in fantastic condition.  Wow!

The Labels

They are both in beautiful condition with barely any spindle wear as stated.  No marking or writing, practically 'as new'.

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

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // AM 4 / OT 2

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 SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

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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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LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)

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

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!