Fuchsia : Fuchsia A-1 / B-1 1st Press 1971

I tend not to use the word rare but it certainly applies in this case!  This very collectable first pressing plays to an incredible standard and there surely cannot be many around today that are as stunning as this one.  S1 plays 'as new' with no intrusion and that is no exaggeration.  I have listened to each track in full and there is no background intruding on the audio - the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is exceptional.  It has a CD like clean aesthetic to it but with a warmth and definition that you only find on vinyl.  S2 is almost as good.  Almost.  The clarity of sound is still stunning but 'The Nothing Song' does have one click although the remaining 99% is indeed perfect!  'Shoes And Ships' has only 3/4 minor statics but yes nearly all of the side plays with unbelievable quality.  The vinyl is also in lovely condition with only a small number of insignificant hairlines and has clearly hardly ever been played, there is basically no spindle wear!

The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and there is certainly nothing that stands out.  The original inner sleeve is in superb shape.

This rare first pressing was only pressed in limited numbers and is clearly one of the earliest with a single A stamper on each side.  I did not know what to expect when I first played this album.  You often hear the word 'classic' mentioned with so many albums but this genuinely is a classic - all the tracks are so strong and it's no surprise why it is so highly regarded today and it's a real bonus that it plays with such stunning sonic quality!

PEG 8 // A-1U / B-1U // A1 / A1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint-)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see a faint almost dotted hairline mark on S1 but this is superficial and has no affect on the incredible audio.  Aside from that I can only see a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and the Pegasus labels are immaculate with just one (perhaps!) barely visible tiny spindle trace on the S2 label.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is pristine and then the intro on 'Gone With The Mouse' is just as clean with no background.  Durant's opening vocal is the same and it continues to play with unbelievable clarity.  The first very quiet female vocal passage plays beautifully with not even a single dust tick let alone anything more.  The long instrumental is of the same standard and I just cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the sonic quality is.  The final vocal section is perfect and it is no exaggeration to say the entire track is 'as new' from start to finish.  I know that is a bold statement to make but having listened to the track in full I can confirm there is literally no background of any kind and that includes the fade out.  It is Mint in every sense of the word.

The acoustic intro on 'A Tiny Book' is faultless and the opening vocal section is just as impressive.  As the percussion becomes more prominent the playback is so strong and deep and it continues to play with a clarity and definition that is second to none.  Already it is obvious this vinyl has hardly been played and hardly ever removed from its sleeve, this is a genuine rare find!  As the pace picks up there is no loss in quality and again I can confidently say every vocal and instrumental section here plays with STUNNING clarity and warmth.  Every note is so clean and precise and there is nothing to detract from the perfect audio, and I do mean perfect.  The instrumental end section is a prime example of that, honestly it just could not play any better.  Another Mint track for sure.

The quiet intro 'Another Nail' is basically perfect with just one barely audible static at the start.  As it builds the clarity is flawless and once you really get into the track the clarity and depth of the recording is equal to that of an un-played record.  The first vocal, when you eventually get to it, plays perfectly and you cannot fault the sonic quality on offer here.  The reprise of the intro section has no background other than one mega quiet dust tick and the final section has zero intrusion.  In my opinion this track grades as Mint also.  The entire side plays with a clarity, depth and warmth that could not be improved upon.  It definitely has the wow factor!

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The acoustic intro on 'Shoes And Ships' plays beautifully with no intrusion and the opening vocal is of the same high end standard.  It continues as per S1 with wonderful clarity and warmth and the mid instrumental is flawless.  The next vocal is just as strong and there is just one minor static during the brief instrumental bridge.  The next instrumental does have three minor statics but they are very quiet and certainly do not intrude on the quality of the 'listen'.  The end section is so clean with only one light static.  Overall I would say this is Mint- because the 3/4 light statics are non-intrusive and do not qualify as interference!

'The Nothing Song' plays with genuine quality from the get go.  The depth and power of the audio is exceptional and again I cannot praise it highly enough.  Durant's first vocal is perfect and this epic continues to play with outstanding audio.  Running at over 8 minutes every vocal and instrumental plays with sublime audio and you can hear each subtle nuance in the music.  A more powerful, busier track and yet each note is so sharp and precise.  The mid instrumental is STUNNING, the power and depth is just on another level.  The following vocal has no interference but there is one click during the next instrumental section.  Fortunately that is the only interference as the next vocal is 'as new' with no background.  The closing section is perfect and again you cannot help but notice just how deep and rich the audio is.  A difficult one to grade in a way because 99% is perfect and I still think Near Mint- is an honest appraisal despite that one click. 

'Me And My Kite' plays with stunning precision throughout with no intrusion whatsoever.  Another classic that quite simply plays with incredible clarity and warmth, what a version!  This is Mint all the way.

'Just Anyone' ends this superb album with immaculate audio and... no interference.  Once more the clarity and depth and sheer precision of the audio could not be any more impressive.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static this is as good a finish that you could wish for!  A Mint conclusion for sure.

In summary this rare and very collectable first pressing is as close to perfect as is possible.  S1 plays with sublime 'as new' precision and S2 is so close to that high end standard with just one click and a handful of minor statics.  And I repeat these statics are just background, they do not impact on the audio quality.  This is regarded as a forgotten classic in many circles and having listened to it in full 'classic' is definitely the right word.  Every track is so strong and you can see why it is just so collectable today.  It has been so well preserved and there certainly cannot be many around today as clean and precise as this one.  It was of course printed in limited numbers and having described it to the best of my ability I am sure the winning bidder will not be disappointed.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The textured E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The edges have hardly any rubbing and the thin pinched spine has only minimal wear near the two corners.  The right hand corners are in great shape with hardly any wear and the opening edge is super clean with no obviously handling wear.  The right hand corners have a little more but still not excessive and the opening edge has barely any handling wear.  The front cover has retained its original 'look' so well with only a couple of very faint sticker removal marks near the top plus one small blemish in the top left corner although none of these are obvious.  It has a couple of minor crease lines also.  The back cover is in superb order with no marking or creasing and only a small number of minor specks around the outside edges.  A fine example overall of this rare first press cover.

The original plain white die-cut inner is in great condition with no side splits, tears or marking and hardly any creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

The record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

PEG 8 // A-1U / B-1U // A1 / A1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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