DEEP PURPLE, MACHINE HEAD, 1972 UK PURPLE 1st PRESS

	£		51
	$		68

The five Deep Purple LPs that I am currently auctioning are from my own personal collection. They have always been handled with care and have only been played on top quality equipment. They all play essentially as new. You could not wish to find better playing copies.

Here for auction is a superb example of the iconic album by DEEP PURPLE titled “MACHINE HEAD”, Catalogue Number TPSA 7504. This is an ORIGINAL 1972 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the PURPLE RECORD LABEL with the earliest A-1U/B-1U matrix numbers and ‘THE GRAMOPHONE CO LTD…’ text around the tops of the record labels. Complete with a lovely 1st issue fully-laminated gatefold sleeve and the elusive fold-out lyric insert.

The fully-laminated gatefold sleeve, printed and made in Great Britain by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd., is in close to EX condition (strictly graded) with only light wear and minor creasing. The front and back covers are unmarked. There are some neat ticks by the track-listing inside the opening gatefold (see photo). The spine is square and solid with perfect text. You can see from the photos that this is a very nice sleeve indeed which should please most collectors.

The top quality Purple record is solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. Visually both sides are in EX(+) condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are of course purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The beautiful Purple labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres. There is virtually no wear around the spindle hole.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

This is a particularly detailed and vibrant recording with outstanding sound quality. All frequencies are crystal clear and there is no discernable deterioration in the sound quality. The record plays essentially as new with barely any unwanted noise at all. If you are looking for that elusive perfect playing copy – look no further. You simply will not find a significantly better playing copy of this iconic live album – I guarantee it.

The fold-out lyric insert is in very good condition with just a crease to the top right corner and light handling marks. This is the correct 1st issue lyric insert which folds out into 3 sections (rather than 4 as on later issues).

Complete with the correct white poly-lined inner sleeve which is in very good condition. This has no splits or tears, just a few creases and a name and record title written in 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 & POSTAGE

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   

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

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £39. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include a Special Delivery Next Day insurance option.

In the playgrade assessment above, the LP is referred to as a 'live' album - this is just a typo - it is of course a studio album.