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Rush : Caress Of Steel 1Y1 / 2Y1 1st Press (Mercury) 1975

This first pressing is as close to perfect as is possible!  As always I have played every track in full and the clarity, definition and warmth of the audio is exceptional.  The only background is a couple of static clicks near the start of S2 but aside from that the sonic quality is out of this world!  The vinyl is visually stunning and appears to have been hardly played based on the audio, the pristine 'finish' and that there is no obvious spindle wear at all.  This is an underrated album in my opinion and you would be hard pressed to find a better one!

The gatefold has only a little shelf wear and the original 'Plastic Bags...' inner is again in excellent order.

91000 018   1Y // 1   420   05   1 1  1 5

91000 018   2Y // 1   420   05   1 1  1 2

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (Part 1 Ex)

The gatefold is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  I cannot find fault really!  Perhaps a couple of ultra faint hairlines only.  There is obviously no groove wear and the run out grooves are also super clean.  The Mercury labels are pristine with no noticeable spindle wear.  This is one stunning vinyl!

Play grading  

The entire intro on 'Bastille Day' plays perfectly with no intrusion.  Lee's opening vocal is just as impressive and from then on it plays with exceptional clarity and power without any background not even a dust tick.  Every 'silent' brief as they are are exactly, totally silent.  A STUNNING start and Mint is richly deserved.

'I Think I'm Going Bald' is of the same high end standard with zero intrusion on the audio.  Great depth and power again - the solo work from Lifeson here could not 'sound' any better.  Mint

It's hard to believe this vinyl is 48 years old when you listen to how clear and precise the audio is on 'Lakeside Park'.  A quieter track through many sections and yet it plays 'as new' from start to finish with no interference.  Once again a minus is not required and this is 100% Mint in every way.

The super quiet intro on 'The Necromancer' has to be heard to be believed!  It is crystal clear with not one dust tick let alone anything more and then the 'spoken' vocal has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks.  This is STUNNING!  It is basically playing like it has never been on a turntable before!  This 'Into Darkness' section continues in the same precise way,  the instrumental passage followed by Lee's vocal are 'as new' and there is just one minor static tick during the next 'spoken' vocal.  There is a light static tick as 'Under The Shadow' begins and from then on it plays with outstanding sonic quality and no intrusion.  The high octane section is spectacular!  The final part 'Return Of The Prince' is equally as strong - a quiet start and yet no background.  Every section plays with impeccable quality and I am tempted to grade the entire 12+ minutes as Mint but I will grade as Mint- due to the two minor ticks.  Believe me when I say they are very quiet and totally non-intrusive!  This is a STUNNING version of this epic and demonstrates perfectly how well this vinyl has been preserved.

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The majority of the acoustic intro on 'The Fountain Of Lamneth' plays beautifully but there are a couple of static clicks a few seconds in.  There is nothing on the vinyl to suggest a cause so is a pressing issue I would say.  The opening vocal is perfect and the remainder of this 'In The Valley' section plays with great clarity and just one minor tick.  Overall I will grade it as Ex but of course the majority is far better than that!  The next two sections 'Didacts and Narpets' and 'No One At The Bridge' both play with stunning precision and Mint is well deserved.  The quiet intro and opening vocal on 'Panacea' is 'as new' also and it proceeds to play with a clarity that is second to none.  So many quiet sections here and yet the clarity and warmth of the audio is incredible!  Mint again - wow!  'Bacchus Plateau' keeps up this exemplary standard and has no background of any kind and the final section 'The Fountain' ends the album with imperious quality... once more!  The playback is so strong and clear and nowhere is that more obvious than during the powerful staccato guitar near the end and the final quiet vocal.  A beautiful Mint finish to a side that is so so close to perfect.

In summary I cannot emphasise enough just how stunning the audio is on this genuine first press.  Yes there are a couple of static clicks near the start of S2 but aside from that the playback is just on another level.  It must be rare to find this record in such lovely condition and as stated it has hardly ever been played.  The clarity, depth, power and resonance of the audio is up there with the best I have ever heard and the quieter sections are just so... quiet!  a stunning album in so many ways.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent condition with not too much shelf wear.  The top edges have only minimal rubbing in the centre and the bottom edges have only minimal which is mainly restricted to the right corners.  The wide spine remains 100% legible with only a couple of rubs and has very little wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in excellent shape overall with minimal wear other than that already stated.  The opening edge is pristine and the front cover is so clean with only a couple of minor specks.  The back cover is just as good and has a small record shop sticker in the lower right corner.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate.  A very strong example overall.

The original poly-lined inner sleeve has no side splits or tears and only minimal creasing.  It just has some age related fading around the edges.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with Rega Carbon Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

91000 018   1Y // 1   420   05   1 1  1 5

91000 018   2Y // 1   420   05   1 1  1 2

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 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 MAY 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 : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 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!