A NIGHT AT THE OPERA 2/2 (very first pressing)

This iconic LP is now over 40 years old and for a genuine first pressing it is absolutely astonishing condition and I have not heard better.  It is extremely rare to find one with audio such as this.  Being a first press it has the famous Blairs, not "Blairs cut" etched into the dead wax.  

Visual grading

  Visually I don't think I have seen a 2/2 first pressing as good as this.  Under a strong bright light there are no hairlines or scratches at all.  There is just one very small minor blemish on 'I'm In Love With My Car' and a very hairline on 'The Prophet's Song' but they have no affect on the audio.  It has a fantastic glossy lustre that you see with new vinyl and it is incredible to see one as good as this.  I would say this LP has been very lightly played.  

Play grading  

Considering the age this vinyl plays with wonderful audio that has such clarity and depth it was a delight to listen to!  There is almost zero static on Side One and I only heard 3/4 faint clicks during the entire playback.  I so often mention clarity but here it is immense!  'Seaside Rendezvous' does play extremely well but with some distortion although I haven't heard a pressing that doesn't.  This is because the grooves are pressed closer together so as to 'fit' the track onto the side.

'The Prophet's Song' plays with sublime sound and I barely heard any static, just one faint click.  The intro to 'Love Of My Life' has a couple of light clicks but from then on plays with a distinction that belies it age.  'Good Company' plays with a little static but still has excellent clarity.  'Bohemian Rhapsody' plays superbly well with almost no interference.

For a true 2/2 first press this vinyl to a very high standard and whilst it is not Mint it is not far from Near Mint quality.  Yes there are a few faint clicks but there is very little static which is extremely rare for a vinyl of this advanced age.

Gatefold cover

The G & L gatefold is in first class condition cover has to be one of the best I have seen.  Due to its "whiteness" it is commonly found discoloured and in poor condition but not this one.  It has retained its original look amazingly well and there are only a couple of fingerprint marks on it.  On the reverse side there is one very small 'nick' on the opening edge but you have to look very closely to see it.  For its age this gatefold is in supreme condition and is remarkably clean and as this is a first press it doesn't have the glossy sheen of later versions and of course has the famous embossed crest.  The opening edge has very light handling wear and the wide spine is superb, has lost none of its shape and is 100% legible.  The inside of the gatefold is practically as new.

Picture inner

This inner of course has the cut corners.  Made of thick card they often have large splits.  This particular one just has a small 4cm split on one side.

Labels

Both labels are in superb condition with only minimal spindle wear.

Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system

YAX 5063-2 / YAX 5064-2 // Mother stampers RGT 4 & RGT 5

I would grade the vinyl as Ex+ (the majority plays as Near Mint) 

The picture inner is Ex

The

labels are Near Mint

Any questions please feel free to ask

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