YES, THE YES ALBUM, 1971 UK PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC

	£		49
	$		65

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional Mint- example of the brilliant third studio album by YES simply titled “THE YES ALBUM”, Catalogue Number 2400 101. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK STEREO PRESSING on the PLUM & ORANGE ATLANTIC RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st issue MacNeill Press gatefold sleeve.  

The matt-finish gatefold sleeve, printed and made by MacNeill Press Ltd., London, is in EX condition with only very light wear and minor creasing. The front and back covers are unmarked apart from a tiny surface scuff to the right of the word “STEREO” on the top of the back cover. The opening gatefold spread is pristine. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. There are no rips, tears, writing or anything else. You can see from the photos that this is a truly excellent example of this notoriously fragile sleeve. I think that it will be very difficult to find a better one.

The top quality Atlantic record is fairly solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and the playing surfaces are beautifully clean. 

The Matrix Numbers and stampers are:

Side One – 2400101  A//1    1 1    3 3

Side Two – 2400101 B//1    1   1 1   3 3

Visually the record is in MINT- condition with only a few wispy sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and of no audio significance whatsoever. The beautiful plum & orange Atlantic labels are unmarked with only a few faint spindle traces near the centres (barely visible). There is no wear to the spindle hole. I am confident that the record has only received a few careful plays.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a top quality Atlantic pressing which plays with outstanding sound quality. The stereo playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant and the bass in particular is very impressive. Both sides play essentially as new. There is no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence. If you are looking for that elusive perfect playing copy of this wonderful progressive album – look no further!  

Complete with the correct white poly-lined inner sleeve which is in unmarked EX condition (just some sticker residue on one top corner).

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs