Spring : A-1 / B-1 1st Press on Neon Label

This very rare first pressing on the famous RCA Neon label is stunning!  I think this is the fourth one I have sold and this is by far the most t impressive example of this 1971 'prog' classic that I have ever seen or heard.  The clarity, depth, power and warmth of the audio is just on another level!  The audio on both sides is STUNNING and there is no interference of any kind.  There is not one single tick, click or pop and no underlying static either, I have never heard clarity like it!

It has hardly ever been played judging by its incredible visual and sonic quality and has no obvious spindle wear either.  This is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic for sure.

Pressed in only limited numbers this super rare album is so collectable today but you probably know that already!  It was of course their only album which is such a shame as it is so damn good!  This is one album where the term 'rare' can correctly be used.  Yes you can find them but it was only pressed in very limited numbers and there surely cannot be many around with audio as STUNNING as this!

The iconic 6 panel fold-out cover is also in excellent condition with only some shelf wear on the edges.  Aside from that it is very clean and the inside especially is in fantastic order with hardly any of the fading that you always find.  The original black inner is in excellent condition also.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

NE 6 // AGBS 0521-A-1  A+L etched / AGBS 0522-B-1  A/A etched

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The 6 panel gatefold is a very strong Ex-

The NEON labels are Near Mint

The original inner is Ex

  The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  S1 in particular is stunning and at first glance looks 'as new' and only on close inspection can you detect a small number of very faint and insignificant hairlines.  They are not easy to locate!  And obviously there are no marks or scratches.  S2 is almost as good with only two hairline marks that are a little more obvious but they have no affect on the stunning audio quality.  Indeed you can tell from the audio and the visual quality that this rare record has only been very infrequently played and there is also no groove wear which more than back up this idea.  The run out grooves are extremely clean and the RCA Neon labels are in superb condition with barely any spindle wear and they have lost none of their original colour.

Play grading

The intro on 'The Prisoner (Eight By Ten)' plays beautifully with no intrusion and the first verse is equally as impressive.  Already you are praying the rest of the album has this same level of clarity!  It continues to play with exceptional quality and as well as the clarity it's the warmth and depth of the audio that really stand out.  This record has only been lightly played and that is reflected in the STUNNING sonic quality.  Just to be 'complete' in my grading I did detect a very minor amount of vocal distortion on 3/4 notes but yes it is so minimal and totally non-intrusive, you might not even notice it.  The playback from start to finish though is so 'clean' and strong and in essence there is no interference - no clicks or pops and no dust ticks or underlying static either.  As good a start as you could wish for really and I will grade as Mint- although many would omit the minus I am sure!

The dead wax between tracks is completely silent and that gives you an idea of the clarity on offer here.  The intro on 'Grail' is 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  The first verse and chorus are of the same 'immaculate' standard and from that point on the clarity and depth of the audio is outstanding.  The mid instrumental section is a case in point - there is just no 'background' to be heard and I cannot overstate just how sublime the audio is.  This was of course produced by Gus Dudgeon at Rockfield and those two factors account for the sonic quality we have here.  Of course the record still needs to have been well preserved and wow it really has been!  There is no 'muddiness' to the sound, something you only find on a 'clean' record and the bass sound is as warm and deep as it was back in '71.  Even the long fade out plays without a single dust tick!  I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint as you cannot fault the audio in any way.

'Boats' plays with unbelievable clarity from the first note to the last.  There is just one barely audible tick on the first verse but this truly is an exceptional version with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  Once again the playback is breathtaking and it does make you think is this record really 50 years old!  This is another Mint track.

The percussive segue into 'Shipwrecked Soldier' plays perfectly and the instrumental opening is of the same quality.  The opening verses play with infinite precision and there is no distortion on the top end which is impressive when you consider this is the final track on the side - another sign this record has not often been on a turntable!  The audio continues to play with wonderful quality and the mid instrumental is so deep and strong with not a single tick etc.  The final vocal section, and remember it is a powerful vocal, is faultless and the 'high octane' finish just could not play with any better.  I honestly believe this is deserving of a Mint grade as it just could hardly play any better.  This prog classic certainly has delivered so far - a majestic S1 for sure!

------------------------------------------------------------------

The quiet intro on 'Golden Fleece' plays with wonderful precision - no 'background' at all in other words.  The acoustic opening is just as impressive and the first verse is out of this world!  This quality prevails throughout and once again there is no interference of any kind.  I cannot emphasise enough just how STUNNING the audio is on this classic.  Every verse plays with sublime clarity and definition and guitar solo/instrumental is the strongest I have ever heard, the depth and power again, there are no words!  Well...'as new' is the only way I can describe it.  The quieter acoustic section that follows is of the same standard and the repeated first verse then plays as well as it did first time round!  This is MINT++ it could be said!  And again the fade out plays to perfection with not even a dust tick!

'Inside Out' plays with stunning quality from the word go - the opening verses and chorus play as well as they did all those years ago.  I often find this track does not play as 'cleanly' as the others but that is certainly not the case here.  The clarity is just as strong and nowhere is this more obvious than during the mid instrumental break, you could hear a pin drop!  All you can hear is the music, there is no 'background' to be heard, just pure Mint audio.  The final verse is flawless and the powerful end section is just amazing!  I played it so loud and the sonic quality is just breathtaking - there is literally no distortion.  Track 2 - Mint

'Song To Absent Friends (The Island)' is of course a very quiet track and yet it plays with remarkable precision throughout.  There are no clicks or pops, no static and only a small number of barely audible dust ticks.  This is such a 'clean' version and as always I listened intently to detect any minor imperfection.  There aren't any!  A beautiful Mint- version but is the minus really required?  I'll leave that up to the lucky winning bidder!

The instrumental opening on 'Gazing' plays with wonderful depth and clarity and...no interference.  The first vocal section is as close to perfect as could with only a minor touch of distortion on the 'From a sleep, a deeper sleep...' line.  This is so minimal and hardly worth a mention.  The following guitar solo is so strong and plays with great definition.  The final vocal section is so impressive and again any distortion is kept to an absolute minimum.  The final solo and closing crescendo section play with stunning precision and overall this final track grades as Mint- I am pleased to say.

In summary this very rare and collectable first pressing qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic as you could not in my humble opinion find a copy as good as this.  I never use terms like 'impossible to find' etc but I will say that in all my years of selling on eBay I have sold four of these and this is by far the best.  There is no interference of any kind - no ticks, clicks or pops and no irritating static either in the background.  The sonic quality is quite simply on another level and this is a record that one - has hardly been played and two - has been so well preserved down the years.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is exceptional throughout.  Perhaps not surprising in a way because the vinyl is so clean but then even clean vinyls can often play with issues.  Happily this one does not!  This truly is an exceptional find and anyone reading this will no doubt know just how rare this album is as it was only produced in very limited numbers.  And then even rarer of course to find one playing with kind of quality!

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The triple fold-out matt textured cover is the finest example I have seen in my opinion.  It is still very strong and robust like it has hardly been handled down the years and only the edges have some wear really.  The three top edges are in excellent shape with only light rubbing and only the bottom edge of the front cover has some obvious 'rub' marks.  The wide spine remains 100% legible and is very clean aside from one mark in the centre and some wear on the bottom corner and a little at the top.  Just shelf wear really - nothing major and the other corners have only light wear.  The front cover is exceptionally clean and all you can see is that small 'rub' next the centre of the spine and couple of marks next to the bottom edge.  All three 'panels' of the 'shipwrecked soldier' are very impressive with no bending or creasing to be seen.  The inside of the gatefold is superb and has barely any of the fading/spotting around the edges that you so often see.  It is so clean and has just one very small 'white' scuff on the left side.  Overall this is a fine example of this iconic cover and it has withstood the test of time extremely well.

The original black poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side split or tears, no marking and only a little creasing.

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

NE 6 // AGBS 0521-A-1  A+L etched / AGBS 0522-B-1  A/A etched

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 NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!