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Marillion : Clutching At Straws A1/B1 1st Press + Merchandise Sheet (Not For Sale copy)

For this auction I am selling a number of Fish/Marillion records and the vast majority of them have been incredibly well preserved.  I am moving house soon and I want to 'shift' a lot of my stock quickly so unfortunately do not have the time to describe each track in detail as I generally do.  Rest assured I will still play every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading.  I will adhere to my usual standards :-)

This first pressing plays with STUNNING audio on both sides with only very minimal 'background'.  It has a 'Manufacturers Property - NOT FOR SALE' sticker on the back and I suspect it has never been played such is the sonic quality.  There is no spindle wear and the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is superb!  80s vinyl often leaves a lot to be desired but this has to be the finest version of this classic album I have ever listened to.  I repeat this has probably never been played before!

The cover and lyric inner are in lovely condition and the original merchandise sheet is also 'as new'.

EMD 1002 // A-1 / B-1

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

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint-)

The cover is Ex+

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The merch sheet is Mint

Visual grading

The vinyl is visually stunning and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and certainly looks like it has never been played before.  There are no marks or scratches and I cannot locate any hairlines which is such a rarity.  It basically looks brand new!  The labels are in perfect condition and there is no spindle wear, there is even a little vinyl 'flecking' around the S2 spindle hole.

Play Grading

'Hotel Hobbies' has only minimal static on the intro and then plays with outstanding quality for the remainder.  'Warm Wet Circles' then plays like the record was only pressed yesterday with not even a dust tick!  The instrumental intro into 'That Time Of The Night' is absolutely breathtaking!  It plays with incredible clarity and I only heard one dust tick.  The actual song is 'as new' with no distortion on the top end and 'Just For The Record' is of the same 'high end' standard.  'White Russian' plays with exceptional clarity and power - again the audio can accurately be described 'as new'.  What a side - it does not get any better than this!

'Incommunicado' has only a couple of minor ticks on the intro and then plays perfectly.  'Torch Song' has just one light click on the first verse but otherwise plays with great clarity.  'Slainthe Mhath' more than keeps up the standard and plays with tremendous power and depth from start to finish with no interference.  'Sugar Mice' is just fantastic!  So often it plays with static or worse but this is the cleanest version I have ever heard, there is no 'background' at all.  'The Last Straw' ends the album with impeccable quality...again.  Yep no interference, a stunning version.

The Cover, Lyric Inner & Merch Sheet

The cover is in excellent condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges are very clean with only a minimal amount of rubbing on the bottom edge and the spine has only a couple of small rubs and a minimal amount of wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in superb shape and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The front cover is unmarked and has only a couple of very faint creases.  The back cover is just as impressive and has the 'Manufacturers Property - NOT FOR SALE' sticker as stated.  The lyric inner is 'as new' and the same applies to the unused merchandise sheet.

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £12.95 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!