Spring : A-1 / B-1 1st Press on Neon Label

This very rare first pressing on the famous RCA Neon label is stunning!  It is by far the most impressive example of this rare 1971 prog classic that I have ever heard with barely any intrusion on the audio.  There is not one click or pop and the clarity and sonic quality is superb throughout and especially on S1.

Pressed in only limited numbers this super rare album is so collectable today but then if you're reading this you probably don't need me to tell you that!  It was the only LP released by Spring and whilst it can be found on eBay and other sites it hardly ever turns up for sale as good as this, it truly is a stunning version!  The vinyl is also visually in superb condition.

The 6 panel fold-out cover gatefold has also been so well preserved down the years with only minimal shelf wear.  It is without doubt the 'cleanest' version of this iconic cover that I have ever seen seen and remains very strong indeed.  The original black inner has only a little wear.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

NE 6 // AGBS 0521 - A - 1  A + L etched / AGBS 0522 - B - 1  A / A etched

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections / Track 1 intro Near Mint- / T2 intro and T3 Ex+)

The gatefold is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original inner is VG

  The vinyl has a stunning glossy sheen and is easily the cleanest example I have seen of this very rare pressing.  There are no marks or scratches and only a small number of insignificant hairlines, none of which stand out.  S2 does have one very faint hairline scuff but this is not easily visible at first glance and certainly has no affect on the audio.  You can tell by the audio and the superb visual quality of the record that this has not been overplayed and there is no groove wear either to back up that theory.  Further evidence is provided in that there is no obvious spindle wear on either side.  What a fantastic looking first press!

Play grading

You would not believe how clean the run in on S1 is!  It has no 'background' and the intro on 'The Prisoner (Eight By Ten)' then plays with sensational clarity.  I am delighted to say this standard is maintained throughout and I have never heard this opening track play with such incredible sonic quality.  You can hear each note perfectly, the audio definition is sublime i.e. there is no loss in original sound quality at all.  I cannot emphasise enough how superb this is!  I have played it twice now and it gets better on each listen!  The vocals are so clear and each instrument plays with wonderful precision and depth.  Wow what a start!  This easily qualifies as Mint it could not play any better!

The intro on 'Grail' is as close to perfect as could be.  There is just a very minor 'hiss' which is barely audible if I'm honest.  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  It continues to play with stunning clarity and again the depth of the audio is what really stands out.  The mid instrumental section is a case in point.  Just turn it up loud the playback is so powerful with a clarity of sound that you only find a hardly played record.  There is one very light tick on the final verse but that is the only 'background' across the entire track.  The long fade out has no interference whatsoever!  Another stunning track that is Mint- for sure.

'Boats' again leaves you open mouthed in amazement!  With only one dust tick this is a beautiful version from the opening groove to the last.  There is no interference and the only 'background' is a very minor hiss on the fade out which could easily be missed anyway.  This is another Mint- track.

The segue into 'Shipwrecked Soldier' is faultless and the percussive intro is 'as new'.  Once the guitar and bass come in the playback could not be any stronger and it continues to play so well.  I am just so impressed by the clarity and definition of the sound especially when you consider this is the last track on the side.  There is literally no interference and again I cannot believe what I am hearing!  There is no inner groove distortion and whilst the vocals play perfectly it's the instrumental sections that are the real highlight in my opinion.  I do not wish to repeat myself but the clarity and depth of the audio is STUNNING!  I am confident in grading this as Mint- it could hardly play any better.  What a side!

------------------------------------------------------------------

The quiet intro on 'Golden Fleece' has only the lightest of static and just the one gentle tick.  As the volume increases the audio is 'as new' and the same can be said for the first three verses.  The audio is of the highest quality and the guitar solo/instrumental that follows is outstanding!  The depth and power again, well there are no words!  This is FANTASTIC!  The quiet section then has no 'background' and each note can be heard with such incredible sharp precision.  The repeated first verse is without fault and to the end it is 'as new' with only a mild hiss on the final note of the fade out.  I would say the intro is Near Mint- but I have no hesitation in grading the rest as Mint- the playback is superb.

'Inside Out' has only a very light static hiss on the intro and the first verse and then plays with very strong audio and there are no clicks or pops etc.  I would say the clarity is not quite on the same level during the opening verses as per the previous track but don't get me wrong it still plays exceptionally well.  Perhaps I am just being too harsh in my assessment and you may not 'hear' any difference.  The long quiet instrumental section does actually play with wonderful clarity with no 'background' of any kind and the end section provides another example of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  The depth and power is tangible and the 'high octane' finish in particular is stunning.  So this is Ex+ on the opening section but Near Mint for the remainder.

'Song To Absent Friends (The Island)' is of course a very quiet track and yet the clarity is again very impressive.  There are no clicks or pops and really the only 'background' are some light dust ticks and just a minimal (very minimal!) hint of distortion on the odd piano note.  This does not take away from what is another superb listen.  As I say for such a quiet number you won't find many better!  There is just a touch of mega light static prior to the final verse but overall this deserves an Ex+ grade.  There is that hiss sound on the final note but by then the track has practically finished anyway!

The instrumental opening on 'Gazing' plays extremely well with barely any 'background', a superb intro.  The first verse is as close to audio perfection as could be and it continues to play incredibly well with no intrusion.  Once more there are no clicks or pops and only a handful of non-intrusive dust ticks.  The extended guitar solo is immense!  There is no distortion and the sound is so 'clean' and dynamic, great definition.  The final verses and closing section do not disappoint either and the final solo and closing crescendo section again have no discernible distortion.  A superb Near Mint version to close this classic 1971 prog album.

In summary this very rare and collectable first pressing plays to a wonderful standard with no obvious intrusion and not one single click or pop!  Strangely there is a little 'hiss' between some tracks and only a minimal amount on a couple of intros but this does not intrude on the quality of the listen in my opinion.  I have sold 3/4 of these down the years and this is by far the best I have ever heard.  That is not a selling technique, that is just my honest appraisal of the audio on offer here.  It is so rare to find this near 50 year old record playing with such clarity and precision and that is obviously due to it being so well looked after down the years.  A stunning find!

The Gatefold

The 6 pane 'open out' matt textured gatefold is the finest example I have seen of this classic cover for sure.  It remains so strong and robust and perfectly in shape that can only be the result of very infrequent and light handling.  There is some shelf wear but only very minimal.  The three top edges are close to perfect with barely any rubbing and the bottom three are also very clean with only a little rubbing on the front cover one.  The wide spine is in lovely condition with only minor rub in the centre and a little wear on the bottom corner, the top corner is very clean indeed.  The lower right corner of the front cover has some wear as can be seen but the other corners remain in superb condition with only minimal rubbing.  The front cover is exceptionally clean with only a couple of very faint marks that you cannot immediately see.   In fact all three 'panes' of the 'shipwrecked soldier' front cover are in superb shape and there are just a couple of minor white 'specks' on the inside panel.  The inside of the gatefold has also been so well preserved and has only a couple of small marks and only minimal white 'speckling' again.  A superb example overall and there cannot be many out there as good as this!  It has 'weathered' the test of time so well if you'll excuse the pun :-)

The Labels

The rare RCA Neon labels are in superb condition and have lost none of their original colour.  They have no marking or writing and no spindle wear.  Absolutely stunning!

The Inner Sleeve

The original black poly-lined inner has one side split but it remains very clean with no marking, just a little creasing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

NE 6 // AGBS 0521 - A - 1  A + L etched / AGBS 0522 - B - 1  A / A etched

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

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 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (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 : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  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!!