Gentle Giant : Octopus 1Y1/2Y1 1st Press 1970 Vertigo

On offer here is a first pressing that plays to a superb standard for the vast majority.  In fact the only interference is on the first track intro but once you get past that the audio on the remainder of the album with stunning clarity and depth.  There are no clicks or pops on either side and the vinyl is also very impressive visually and has clearly not been over-played.

The gatefold is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the original Swirl inner is in superb order with very little wear.

A first press is denoted by the Alucard Music credit on the Side B label as opposed to the Excellency Music credit on the subsequent pressings.

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

6360020   1Y//1? 420  1 2 4

6360020   2Y//1 ? 420  1 2 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (T1 intro VG)

The audio S2 is Mint- (T1 intro Ex+ / T4 Near Mint)

The gatefold is a very strong Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original swirl inner is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is in lovely condition with a very impressive glossy sheen and there are no scratches on either side.  Side A has one very small faint mark on the first few grooves which causes the interference and a small 'mottling' area (a line) which has no affect on the audio and is again only faint.  There is also 3/4 tiny hairline marks traversing tracks 3 & 4 but again this does not affect the sound quality.  It may seem like I have listed a few things there but aside from that this side is still in great condition, I just prefer to mention any 'imperfection'.  Side B is visually stunning with only 3/4 very minor specks and there are no obvious marks at all.  Both sides have only a couple of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and the run out grooves are also very clean.  The labels have no writing or marking and only a little spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'The Advent Of Panurge' does have a static/crackle type sound once once per revolution of the record for about 40 seconds.  A shame but the vocal can still clearly be heard which is a positive and there are no clicks or pops.  There is barely any static once the instrumental begins and the more it progresses the better it gets!  The next vocal is close to perfect with only light tick and from that point on I detected a couple of static ticks and the second half in particular is stunning!  It plays with exceptional clarity and depth, one light click yes but that is the only 'imperfection'.  I will grade the intro as VG but the remainder is Near Mint- in my educated opinion.

'Raconteur, Troubadour' plays with STUNNING clarity from the very first note and the audio is quite simply on another level!  As always I have played the track in full so as to pick up any 'background' and aside from one quiet tick in the first instrumental section the sonic quality cannot be faulted.  It truly is an unbelievable version and there is no underlying static at all.  It plays with such precision and even the very quiet end section plays beautifully.  This is Mint- without a doubt.

I am pleased to say 'A Cry For Everyone' plays to the same 'high end' standard - there is just one light tick after the first verse but from then on the clarity and depth of the audio is of the highest calibre.  The instrumental is 'as new' as is the rest of the track.  There is literally no interference of any kind and I cannot emphasise enough just how strong and clear the audio is.  Perhaps the best way to sum it up is that it sounds as good as it would have done when first released back in 1972!  Mint- is again deserved.  What a version!

With complete silence in the dead wax the acapella intro on 'Knots' has no 'background' not even a dust tick and it continues in the same precise way.  Every section plays with a clarity and definition that just has no faults - it is hard to believe this record is 50 next year!  There is no inner groove distortion and to the end it plays with stunning quality.  No minus is required this is Mint every day of the week!

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'The Boys In The Band' intro has only very minimal static and just one brief crackle sound.  As the music begins the playback is superb and it proceeds to play with incredible power and depth and...no interference.  No need to prevaricate - the intro is Ex+ and the remainder is Mint- and the minus is there just because I detected just a couple of mega quiet ticks.

The gentle intro on 'Dog's Life' plays perfectly and the first verse is equally as good.  This is another track that makes you think that 1) this record has been so well cared for down the years and 2) has it been played?!  There is some spindle wear so it obviously has but the clarity here is sensational to say the least.  Again there is not even a background dust tick to be heard and Mint is again a correct description.

The piano intro on the emotive 'Think Of Me With Kindness' plays beautifully.  It continues to play with such delicate precision and the quieter moments have only a small number of mega quiet dust ticks.  You expect this on any vinyl let alone one of this age so I should perhaps grade as Mint but I will grade as Mint- as there are a couple of minor static ticks right at the end.  Needless to say from start to finish there are no clicks or pops and no static either. 

'River' ends this classic album side with stunning audio and again it's the definition of the audio that is so impressive.  There is no groove wear and the clarity is as close to perfect as is possible.  I say close because during the guitar solo there is just a little inner groove distortion which last for only a couple of seconds.  In saying that it still plays with wonderful power and precision and aside from that there is no interference.  The final vocal is faultless and to the end it plays 'as new' with no interference.  Near Mint is fair here but as I often say the majority is better than that!

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning precision and it is only the S1 intro that stops this classic from being Near Mint / Mint practically all the way through.  Yes the track one intro is a little intrusive but it does not last too long and as described above the rest of the album plays with a clarity, depth and warmth that is out of this world!  A couple of seconds of distortion on S2 but the total lack of static or anything worse is a real rarity.  Any collector will not be disappointed with this album.

The Gatefold & Swirl Inner

The cover is in excellent condition and remains very strong and robust as if it has not been handled very much.  The edges have only very minimal rubbing and the wide spine is in great shape with only a couple of minor indents and is still 100% legible.  All corners are very clean with barely any wear and the opening edge is near perfect.  The front cover has no marking or creasing and all you can see is a little fading on the right side and along the bottom edge.  Is this because there was some tape there once?  If so there is no residue or marking on the actual cover.  The back cover just has some ringwear, a small number of specks and one tiny scratch line.  The inside of the gatefold is superb with only one mega small on the right side.  A fine example overall.

The original poly-lined swirl inner is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, only minimal creasing and just a little age related fading around the edges.

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

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

6360020   1Y//1? 420  1 2 4

6360020   2Y//1 ? 420  1 2 1

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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Postage & Packaging

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