DEEP PURPLE Who Do We Think We Are ORIG UK TRUE 1ST PRESS LP N MINT

$

44

This week I'm auctioning a batch of selected LPs. I have done my best to present and describe the albums accurately. I've spent several years doing a deep research dedicated to classic rock records so all the information collected about a particular album is listed below. I'm not going to call any record "megarareprereleaseearliestpossiblematrixnumberstamperscopy" just because it's the record I'm selling at the moment (like some sellers, sadly, do). Below you'll find just pure facts. 

A note for potential buyers: I guarantee shipping next day after payment has been received but I cannot guarantee delivery time. It's December and postal services are working slower than usually so please keep this in mind if you need delivery before Christmas. European buyers may expect delivery within 10-15 days but to other destinations it may take more.

There's a RESERVE PRICE set for this auction which is ABSOLUTELY REASONABLE, if you're serious about buying this item feel free to contact me if you wish to know the reserve amount.

DEEP PURPLE Who Do We Think We Are original UK Purple label first pressing, early copy in TOP CONDITION with original insert and inner sleeve

To get the best of any album one should acquire not only the earliest possible pressing but also the ORIGINAL one in terms of the manufacturing country. Any other country pressing is always a compromise and in most cases would never sound equally not to mention the collecting value. Here you get not just the earliest possible version complete copy but also the best ever sounding one with unbeatable earliest George Peckham mastering. Quite a common record at a first glance but becoming a true gem a very early TOP COPY.

Pressing details.

Record/label

The classic Purple label does have the most important feature for this album - THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD... rim print, exclusive to the first pressing only as 1974 copies and later ones obviously had the EMI Records Ltd... rim print, copies pressed in the 2nd half of the 70-ies have a brighter, "reddish" label tone, this copy being the first pressing has a darker purple label.

A not-so-important but distinctive feature is the visible label perimeter ridge. The ridge is hardly visible and cannot be seen on my photos but it's there! Press moulds producing such label area surface were used at the EMI from 1970 to 1973 mostly, after that they have been gradually replaced with absolutely flat ones and disappeared completely by late - 1975.

Matrix numbers, other run-out info

Side A: TSPA 7508 A-1U PORKY

Side B: TSPA 7508 B-1U -PURPLE-PECKIE-

Porky and Peckie are the commonly used pseudonyms of the great George Peckham who cut these earliest lacquers for this album.

Mothers -Stampers: 1-PG and 2-LA 71st and 83th stamper respectively. This album was a huge seller, pre-release pressing and additional pressing ware done in large quantities. Thus nobody can tell for sure the exact pressing batch this copy belongs to. All we can say is that the combination of stampers is a "balanced" one - they are from the same generation, I mean stampers' numbers do not stand far one from another. And it's good because "unbalanced" pair of stampers means often that the earlier of the two might have been re-used and that's already not so good.

Cover

The outside laminated Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. printed cover is definitely one of the earliest ones. There are no significant differences between the earliest covers and slightly later ones except for the one: earlier covers have NARROW AREAS AT THE EDGES NOT COVERED BY THE LAMINATE - check the second photo, the bottom left corner for example). It's a bit random thing as it's a matter of printing technology but generally later covers are found with more accurate lamination, leaving no areas like described.

Inner sleeve

The inner sleeve is the only one 100% correct for the first pressing of this album: poly-lined, die-cut holes on both sides with all proper prints (see the pictures). These sleeves were not widely used by the EMI plant, they mostly used plain paper sleeves without holes. Such sleeves as this one are normally found with Purple label releases from 1971 to 1973 and a few other labels. Note that slightly later Who Do We Think... album copies were supplied just with plain uncut inner sleeves and starting with 1975 they used the well known EMI sleeves with "Important Notice..." and "Care Of Your Record..." frames.

Always pay attention to the inner sleeve of a record you're buying as it's not only the all-important integral part of a collectable album but also a precious source of information!

Insert

The all-important original one-sided lyric insert printed as well by Garrod & Lofthouse is surely present.

Condition

The cover is one of the best I've found with this album. There's a couple of hardly visible wrinkles of laminate near the spine (seen on the photo) and under a certain angle you may see the hint of a record impression on rear. There are a few tiny areas of yellowing inside the gatefold, check the corresponding picture (in reality the inner panel looks better than on the picture). Having pointed at that I give the cover a solid  NEAR MINT grade.

 The record is as close to MINT as possible. I'm trying hard to find even a sleeve removal hairline but no chance, I see none!  Perfect for any record and especially for a 43-year-old one. Absolutely pristine surface with no marks. NEAR MINT, only to show that it's a pre-owned record.

Playback is FLAWLESS, the run-ins are virtually silent as are the gaps between tracks. NO "static", NO surface noise whatsoever, NO distortion, NO clicks, NO pops, NOTHING EXCEPT FOR THE MUSIC ITSELF!!! As perfect as it may get, a no-compromise final upgrade copy!

As for the sound - no other pressing will ever beat this first UK George Peckham mastered record, loud, powerful and crystal clear. Forget about later copies, forget about USA, German and other pressings of this album, FORGET ABOUT THEM! The 1st UK pressing only offers the sound to die for!

A SOUND CLIP FROM THE ACTUAL RECORD WILL BE ADDED TO THE LISTING IF ANY BIDDER REQUESTS THAT, SEE UPDATES BELOW

Summary

Artist: DEEP PURPLE

Title: WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE

Country of origin: UK

Release and pressing year:  1973

Label: PURPLE

Catalogue number: TPSA 7508

Pressing plant: EMI

Pressing: ORIGINAL, FIRST

Grading cover/record: Near Mint / Near Mint (bordering MInt)

Inner sleeve: ORIGINAL, CORRECT

Insert: original lyric insert

Matrix numbers: TSPA 7508 A-1U PORKY & TSPA 7508 B-1U -PURPLE-PECKIE-

Mothers / Stampers: 1-PG and 2-LA

Play-testing setup

Thorens 125 table, MC type cartridge Kuzma  KC-1 (OEM manufactured by ZYX), Luxman L-560 amp, Harbeth HL-7 speakers.

Treating records

I always treat vinyl records with the greatest care - just because I love them. All the records I sell have been cleaned professionally with the isopropyl alcohol based solution and placed in brand new deluxe German made poly-lined inner sleeves. Original inners are surely preserved. For further packing I use re-sealable outer sleeves, custom German made LP mailers with cardboard stiffeners and I add extra protection for corners for heavy parcels.

Shipping

Shipping cost for this item is 20 USD WORLDWIDE. I ship worldwide by Registered Air Mail and obtain an internationally valid tracking number. If the postal service of your country allows tracing of incoming overseas parcels you'll be able to use the tracking number. I'm happy to offer combined shipping for multiple purchases, this allows to save quite a lot on postage. Feel free to contact me if you need to know shipping price for several items.

Payment

Paypal.

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A VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ!!!!!

POSTAL SERVICES WORLDWIDE ARE ALREADY WORKING VERY SLOWLY AS CHRISTMAS TIME IS NEAR. DELIVERY BY REGISTERED AIR MAIL TAKES FROM 2 TO 4 WEEKS! MAY BE EVEN LONGER TO THE AMERICAN CONTINENT, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

I CAN SHIP BY EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE AT COST (MUCH FASTER) BUT IT'S NEARLY A DOUBLE PRICE.

IF YOU ARE IMPATIENT AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO SEEK FOR SIMILAR ITEMS ELSEWHERE. BY BIDDING ON MY ITEM YOU CONFIRM ACCEPTING THE TERMS ABOVE!

BELOW ARE LINKS TO AUDIO CLIPS TAKEN FROM THE ACTUAL RECORD TO GET AN IDEA ABOUT ITS CONDITION. INCLUDED HAVE BEEN THE MOST "CRITICAl" AREAS LIKE RUN-INS AND QUIETER PASSAGES. NO AUDIO PROCESSING HAS BEEN APPLIED. 

Side A: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxjDlgWevhrqUDRuWnBLd2d3Ync

Side B:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BxjDlgWevhrqUjZqRmQ4am02YUE