NICK DRAKE BRYTER LAYTER A1/B1 1st PRESS *Stunning* G1 Stamper *Stunning* AUDIO
£
376
$
498
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Description
Nick Drake : Bryter Layter A1/B1
This rare and highly collectable classic album is the most impressive first press I have ever seen. The audio is stunning and it is no exaggeration to say the majority is 'as new'. There is barely any intrusion on the audio and the clarity and definition on each track is exceptional.
This fantastic album also has the 'holy grail' G1 stamper on S1! 'G' is the first stamper that was used to make the record and is the one all collectors want!
The vinyl is immaculate and has been hardly played judging by the lack of spindle wear and the audio quality. The textured cover is in excellent condition with not too much shelf wear and the original blue 'island' inner is near perfect.
This UK press on the pink rim Island label is a genuine first press as denoted by 'Stereo' being on the right side of the label and the track times do not have brackets around them.
ILPS 9134 // A - 1U / B - 1U // G 1 / H 1
The audio on S1 is Mint- (Track 1 Near Mint-)
The audio on S2 is Mint- (Track 3 intro Ex+)
The cover is Ex-
The labels are Mint-
The original inner sleeve is Ex+
Visual grading
This hardly played vinyl is in immaculate condition and looks 'as new' at first glance! A bold statement I know but it is pristine in every way and has a stunning glossy sheen the likes of which I have never seen on a genuine first press before. Only on closer inspection can you see one small hairline on S2 but it obviously has no affect on the superb audio. There are no scratches or marks and this is a real time warp classic! As stated there is barely any spindle wear, only 3 - 4 very faint traces on each side, and the run out grooves and labels are also super clean.
Play grading
'Introduction' plays with stunning clarity from the first very first note and it is no exaggeration to say the audio quality is 'as new'. The only negative is one light click in the middle section which I am sure is a pressing anomaly as there is nothing on the vinyl to suggest a cause. Aside from that this is a beautiful version and there is no static or crackle whatsoever and only a couple of barely audible dust ticks! The clarity is quite simply exceptional and I think a Near Mint- grade is fair because apart from that millisecond of interference it would be Mint!
'Hazey Jane II' goes one better and grades as Mint I am confident in saying. There is no 'background and the definition of the audio is phenomenal. I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays and it's like you're back there in '71! The audio is 'crystal clear' and this is without doubt the most impressive version I have ever heard.
The intro on 'At The Chime Of A City Clock' is of the same immaculate standard. There are a couple of very gentle ticks (not clicks!) after ten seconds or so and it then plays with sublime clarity for the remainder. For a record fast approaching 50 years of age this is STUNNING with a capital S! This deserves a Mint- grade for sure.
'One Of These Things First' also plays with incredible precision right from the start. It continues to impress and once again there is no interference to be heard. I don't say that lightly - I listen to every second of every track and often listen to an album twice so as to provide a 'complete' grading. There are only a handful of barely audible dust ticks here and the clarity and depth of the audio cannot be faulted in any way. This is pure Mint audio from start to finish, you could not wish to hear a more beautiful version. There cannot be many first pressings that play as well as this and as stated this vinyl has hardly been played which explains in part the clarity on offer here.
'Hazey Jane I' ends the side with incomparable clarity once more. There is just nothing that detracts from the 'high end' quality of the audio and Mint is again deserved. The quiet end section provides a classic example of the pristine clarity.
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'Bryter Later' on S2 plays with supreme audio from the very first groove and continues in the same precise way. There is nothing that intrudes on the audio grades as Mint once more. Each note can be heard perfectly and this is the 'cleanest' version of this instrumental classic I have ever heard. It blows the recent reissues out of the park!
The intro on 'Fly' has only the bare minimum of static and perhaps is not even worth a mention. It could be said I only hear it because I am so close to the speakers! As the vocal comes in the audio is perfect and progresses in the same way. There is just one light tick towards the end - I would not classify it as a click as it really is very quiet. I will grade as Mint- as that is literally the 'background' over the entire three minutes. The fade out also plays perfectly.
There is some very light static at the start of 'Poor Boy' but this soon disappears just after the vocal begins. From that point on you could wish to hear a more sublime version. It plays with wonderful separation i.e. you can hear each note so clearly and Troy and Arnold vocals play in stunning melodic fashion. To the end this plays 'as new' and whilst I may be repeating myself now this is just audio of the highest calibre. It definitely has the wow factor! The audio is Ex+ on the intro and Mint for the remainder. Once again the fade out is stunning without even a solitary dust tick.
The emotive 'Northern Sky' is beautiful from the first note to the last and 'beautiful' is the right word here. It plays with such delicate precision and aside from one mega light tick near the end (you could easily miss it!) this is an immaculate rendition. Mint- I am delighted to say.
'Sunday' has only a couple of dust ticks on the intro and ends this all time classic album with pristine audio. The clarity throughout is astounding and again the playback just defies the age of the album. This is as close to audio perfection as could be and is infinitely worthy of a Mint- grade. 100% stunning!
In summary this FINAL UPGRADE first pressing plays with a clarity and definition that in all honesty I have never heard before. It is the most 'complete' version of this classic that I have ever heard and you cannot help but be moved by it! It may have been played only 3 - 4 times at most but it has also been remarkably well preserved down the years. Admittedly the cover does have a little shelf so has probably 'moved house' a few times (!) but it is obvious the vinyl has hardly ever been removed from its sleeve. It is pristine and is such a genuine rare find. The vast majority is 'as new' and it well documented that these first pressings play with far greater sonic quality than later ones and nowhere is that more in evidence than on this vinyl. A truly stunning version that would impress even the most avid of collectors'.
The Cover
The E.J. Day textured cover is in excellent condition overall and the only negative really is that the edges do have some rubbing as does the spine. However, there are no splits and the corners do not have an excessive amount of wear. The opening edge is pristine with no handling wear whatsoever. Not that surprising I guess! The front cover is very clean with only a couple of very small faint marks near the top edge and some ringwear fading that you so often see. The back cover is similar with just some ringwear again.
Inner Sleeve
The original blue poly-lined 'Island' inner is in great condition with only one very small tear on the bottom edge. There are no side splits, barely any creasing and only a couple of minor age related 'spots'. It's rare to find one this clean and it's also often missing!
The Labels
The pink rim 'Island' labels are in fantastic condition and have no marking or writing and hardly any spindle wear. Absolutely stunning!
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
ILPS 9134 // A - 1U / B - 1U // G 1 / H 1
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
Recent Feedback
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Postage & Packaging
I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.
WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.
FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY. THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.
COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.
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7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra
EUROPE (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Standard)
LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra
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