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

This genuine first pressing may well be the finest, most stunning example I have ever heard and is a final upgrade archive version without doubt.  It is no exaggeration to say 99% of it plays 'as new' it is that good!  It has been remarkably well preserved and obviously only lightly played.  The gatefold and lyric inner are also in lovely condition.

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // RRL 2 / RRL 5

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual grading

This is a 'shop fresh' looking first press and is visually (and audibly!) in immaculate, pristine condition.  I am not sure if I have ever seen a 1/2 first press as perfect as this.  It has a beautiful mirror-like glossy finish and I cannot detect any hairlines and there are definitely no scratches.  Now nearly 42 years old this is a rare find indeed and is a stunning example of its kind.  There is very little spindle wear and the labels and run out grooves are extremely clean.

Play grading  

'We Will Rock You' plays with perfect precision from the very note to the last.  There is no interference of any kind and it grades as Mint- it is that good.  The power and clarity is stunning and you could not wish for a better version on a genuine first pressing!  A superb start to S1.  The quiet intro on 'We Are The Champions' is immaculate and is 'as new' with no 'background'.  The remainder of this classic is of the same standard and again there is just no interference.  I cannot believe I am listening to a first press from '77!  The clarity and definition of the music is 'high end' and it is clear that this vinyl has hardly been played and 'Sheer Heart Attack' is another prime example that.  There is no distortion on the top end and the power and definition here is incredible.  Pure Mint- audio all the way!  The very quiet piano intro on 'All Dead All Dead' is just so....quiet!  You just do not expect to find clarity as perfect as this on a first 1/2 pressing and I am running out of adjectives for the fantastic quality on offer here!  I play every second of every LP so as to provide a comprehensive grading and there is absolutely nothing that intrudes on the quality of the listen here.  The entire track plays to an immaculate standard from start to finish.  No clicks or pops and no static or crackle either and there is not even a single dust tick on the one note piano fade out!  What a version!  'Spread Your Wings' is equal to this and is as good as when first released 41 year ago.  So often this track has some distortion but that certainly isn't the case here and again the long fade out has no 'background'.  It is a another highlight on a side that exudes audio perfection.  'Fight From The Inside' as any Queen fan understands always has some distortion, being the final track on the side, but there is relatively little here and it plays with very impressive clarity and strength and again no clicks or pops etc.  An absolutely stunning side, rarely found on a 1/2 first press these days.

The quiet intro on 'Get Down Make Love' is stunning with only a couple of seconds of mega quiet static, barely audible really.  From then on it plays with wonderful clarity and definition.  I must re-iterate that it is patently obvious that this vinyl has hardly ever been on a turntable.  It has been so well preserved and that is reflected in the Mint quality audio.  The louder chorus sections play so strongly without distortion and the psychedelic instrumental is just mind-blowing!  Another stunning track.  The jazzy 'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' is 'as new' from start to finish and again has no interference at all, not even a hint of static and I am delighted to say 'Who Needs You' plays to the same impeccable standard.  The clarity of each note is just sublime and it is no exaggeration to say this is also 'as new'.  The quiet intro on 'It's Late' is incredible and has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks but if truth be known I am not even sure why I am mentioning it.  It is as close to Mint as is possible and many sellers would grade it as such.  As the guitars 'kick in' the power is breathtaking and the more you get into the track the more you are just blown away by it!  It is just astounding and the crescendo instrumental section is a fantastic example of that.  Wow!  Every second of this classic plays with sublime clarity and power, I have never heard a better version, and this on a 1/2 first pressing!  'My Melancholy Blues' has a couple of dust ticks on the intro but there is no static (or worse!) and it plays with exceptional clarity.  This track is often affected by static/crackle but as per the rest of the album there is none here to report on.  This is just yet another amazing example of a beautifully preserved album and has not one single click or pop, very impressive for a very quiet closing track.  A sublime finish to this immaculate first pressing.

In summary this 1/2 first pressing plays is as Mint as you will find in my humble opinion and is a final upgrade archive version for certain.  The clarity could not be improved upon and as my regular customers know I do not over-grade.  There are no clicks or pops and there is absolutely nothing to detract from the Mint- quality audio.  I am often slightly frustrated by Record Collector guidelines that state only a sealed album can qualify as Mint.  I know Mint when I hear it and this is it!  Admittedly systems can play differently but there is just no intrusive interference here whatsoever.  With near complete silence between every track this is 'high end' audio of the highest calibre and would grace any collection.

The Gatefold

The G&L gatefold is in excellent condition with minimal shelf wear only.  The edges and wide spine do have a little rubbing as do the corners but there is certainly no major wear.  The spine is actually in great shape aside from a 'rubbing' at either end and the opening edge has no handling wear whatsoever.  The front cover is extremely clean with no markings other than four very small indents that can only be seen when you hold it at a certain angle.  The back cover is in fantastic condition with no wear and the inside of the gatefold is equally as good.  Overall a very impressive 'first press' cover.

The Lyric inner

The paper inner has no side splits at all, how rare is that?!  It is prone to wear it is very rare to find one as stunning as this.  The edges have a couple of minor 'rubs' but like I say no splits!  It is also beautifully clean with no marking or creasing on either side.  It has the four rounded corners as per the first pressings.

The labels

They are both in superb shape with no marking or writing and only minimal spindle wear.

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 // RRL 2 / RRL 5

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

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 

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

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

REST OF WORLD  

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!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!