News Of The World 1/2 (1st Pressing)

This first pressing is of a standard so rarely found today.  The vinyl looks 'as new' and the audio is near perfect with only a couple of seconds of interference.  This is one of the earlier first pressings as it has only two stampers on each side.

The gatefold is also in superb condition with very little shelf wear and the lyric inner is perfect with no splits!

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // AM 4 / MM 4

The audio on S1 is Mint- (track 4 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- for the majority / track 1 Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex++

The lyric inner is Mint

The labels are Mint

Visual grading

This is one beautiful vinyl!  At first glance it looks 'as new' and even on closer inspection I cannot find any faults!  It has such a strong mirror-like glossy sheen and has only one tiny spindle trace on S2, it is very difficult to find!  Both sides have an immaculate 'finish' and I do not think I have seen a cleaner first press.  I can only find a couple of very faint sleeve removal hairlines and there are certainly no scratches or marks.  I cannot emphasise enough just how 'shop fresh' it looks, it is pristine.  The labels and run out grooves are also supremely clean.

Play grading  

'We Will Rock You' plays with stunning clarity and power from the very first groove to the last.  The opening few grooves will often have some 'background' but that is not the case here.  There is no interference and you could not find this classic playing with any greater precision and depth.  It grades as Mint which is a rarity for any first pressing, Mint- would be doing it an injustice!  A sensational start to S1.

The quiet intro on 'We Are The Champions' has to be heard to be believed!  You would honestly think you were listening to a recently pressed vinyl and not one that is 42 years old!  I heard only one mega light dust tick.  The first chorus is 'as new' and I am delighted to say the remainder plays the same breathtaking standard.  There is no 'background' or any distortion and so far the audio on this record is 'as new' there is no other way to describe it.  This also qualifies as Mint you would not a 'cleaner' version.

'Sheer Heart Attack' is another prime example of a vinyl hardly played.  There is no interference and no distortion on the top end either.  The power and definition of the audio is sublime - pure Mint audio from start to finish.  With every element so powerful it's always struck me as strange that Taylor's drums are not higher in the mix.  I think it should be full Bonham but I guess they knew what they were doing!!

The very quiet piano intro on 'All Dead All Dead' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of minor dust ticks.  It continues to play with remarkable quality although there is just the one light click after the first chorus.  The remainder is faultless with nothing that intrudes on the superb quality of the listen and even the fade out plays with perfect precision.  Despite the one light click this still deserves a Near Mint- grading as the rest of the track plays with such stunning precision.

'Spread Your Wings' plays with wonderful clarity from the very first note and this continues.  This track often plays with some distortion but there is none in eveidence here, another indication of a vinyl barely played.  To the end the playback could not be any more impressive and the long fade again plays faultlessly.

'Fight From The Inside' plays ultra strong power, clarity and depth.  This is a rarity as again it is so often affected by inner groove distortion.  Not here!  The audio is so strong and provides a fantastic end to the side.

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The quiet intro on 'Get Down Make Love' plays superbly with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  The first 'verse' has only a couple of light clicks but the clarity is still hugely impressive and every note plays so clearly.  Thereafter it plays with wonderful clarity and definition and the psychedelic instrumental section is just breathtaking!  It is 'as new' and the remainder also plays to perfection.  This is worthy of an Ex+ grading because of the two light clicks but 98% still plays to a superb Mint- standard!

This has to be strongest version of 'Sleeping On The Sidewalk' I have heard in a long time.  The audio is so rich and deep and there is no 'background'.  Not a typical Queen track (what is?!) but a Mint one nonetheless.

'Who Needs You' is equal to this and plays to a sublime standard.  I know I always go on about clarity but that is the prime ingredient that any vinyl needs.  This track could not play with greater clarity and it sounds as 'fresh' as the day when first released in '77.

The classic 'It's Late' plays so cleanly from the outset with only a couple of dust ticks - hardly worth a mention really!  As the vocal begins the playback is 'as new' and the first chorus has a power and depth that has not diminished over the last 42 years.  There is one very light click at the start of the second verse but blink and you miss it!  Aside from that this is audio of the highest quality and the instrumental section is astounding!  It is so powerful and plays with incredible depth and no hint of distortion.  The remainder plays without fault and if it wasn't for that one light click this would be Mint without doubt.  As it is I think a Near Mint grading is still fair.  Rarely have I heard better.

'My Melancholy Blues' regularly plays with some static/crackle but I am pleased to say there is barely any 'background' on this version.  From the very first note the clarity is stunning and there are only a small number of mega light dust ticks and a couple of minor static sounds.  Nothing intrusive basically and the playback is very 'clean' indeed.  In fact my description thus far doesn't do it justice!  This is a stunning version and plays with wonderful clarity and great precision plus another immaculate fade out.  A highly impressive version to end this superb first pressing.

In summary this first pressing plays with stunning clarity and whilst there are a couple of light clicks on S2 the remainder of the side is nigh on perfect.  With near complete silence in the dead wax between every track this is a vinyl that has hardly been played and the depth and clarity reflects that.  I grade with honesty as my feedback confirms and the audio will not disappoint the most avid of collectors.  The gatefold is also in fantastic condition as is the lyric inner which has no splits!

The Gatefold

This iconic G&L gatefold is in fantastic condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges have only a handful of faint 'rubs' and the wide spine just has a little more mainly at either end but remains 100% legible.  The opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The corners again have only minimal wear, one small crease is the only 'obvious' sign.  The front cover and back cover are beautifully clean with no marking and the same applies to the inside.  The colours throughout are strong and vibrant and look 'as new'.  A very impressive 'first press' cover.

The Lyric Inner

You don't find many like this today!  Because it is made of paper it is so prone to wear but this one has no splits or tears and no marking or creasing either.  Stunning!  It has the four rounded corners as per the first pressings.

The Labels

Again these are in sublime condition with no obvious spindle wear.  They are incredible clean with no marking/writing.  Fantastic examples.

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

EMA 784 // YAX 5355 - 1 / YAX 5356 - 2 // AM 4 / MM 4

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

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.

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UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

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

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!