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The Pretty Things : Emotions! 1L/2L 1st Mono Press 1967

This first mono pressing plays with superb audio with only a little interference on the final track of S1 as detailed below.  All other tracks play with stunning clarity and I do mean stunning!  There is no background static and the sound really is crystal clear.  The vinyl is visually very impressive with only one small faint scratch on S1 causing the interference which does not last long anyway.  Based on the audio and that there is only very minimal spindle wear I can confidently say this record has not been played many times.

A slight anomaly in that I do not think this laminated cover was originally issued with this pressing.  A little research tells me this one came with the 1972 reissue so I imagine it must have been 'swapped' at some time.  Nonetheless it is still in very good condition, close to excellent, with not too much shelf wear.  The inner sleeve is in excellent shape.

The first mono pressing was was released with the silver / black Fontana labels and the 1L/2L matrix.

687951  1L ▽ 1  420  5 1 1

687951  2L ▽ 1  420  1 1 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint / T6 ranges between VG & Ex)

The audio S2 is Mint(-) (T6 Ex+)

The laminated cover is VG++

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a very impressive glossy sheen.  There is one small faint almost horizontal scratch on the final track of S1 but that is the only negative.  There are only 3/4 other faint hairlines on S1 and S2 is visually stunning with no obvious hairlines at all.  The run out grooves are very clean and the silver/black Fontana labels are in superb condition with no marking or writing and only very minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The intro on 'Death Of A Socialite' plays with great clarity, there is no interference, and May's opening vocal then plays very clearly with no ticks, clicks, pops or static.  It continues in the same way with no intrusion although I would say there is just a little sibilance on the audio.  Perhaps this is common on this record and maybe due also to this being a mono record being played through a stereo set up.  Or perhaps this is just how it was recorded, who knows!!  It does help if you turn the bass up!  Despite that you cannot fault the overall 'sound' and Mint- is very much deserved.

With complete silence in the dead wax 'Children' then plays to the same 'high end' standard with a pristine clarity of sound.  There is nothing that detracts from the audio and I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays, there is not even a single dust tick.  A STUNNING Mint version.

The intro on 'The Sun' is 'as new' and from then on this same level is maintained.  The clarity is quite simply astonishing - remember this is 55 years old this year!  The quieter moments (basically the entire song!) play with such delicate precision and from start to finish there is no 'background' of any kind.  Mint

'There Will Be Another Day' plays with very strong audio throughout and despite being a more powerful track closer to the end of the side there is no inner groove distortion and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Great depth and power here and another Mint track.

The piano intro on 'House Of Ten' plays beautifully and it then plays very clearly with no ticks, clicks etc.  There is just a minor vocal distortion here and there but so minimal as to not be intrusive.  The clarity is again breathtaking you would not believe just how clean the playback is!  Just one mega light dust tick near the end!  I will grade as Near Mint even though the vocal distortion is minimal.

The intro on 'Out In The Night' is perfect and the opening vocal plays with seven clicks although they are not loud.  From then on it plays very clearly with only the the odd light tick here and there but this really isn't intrusive.  There is very little inner groove distortion and the second half in particular plays with great quality.  This track ranges between VG and Ex

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'One Long Glance' on S2 plays with stunning precision from the very first note.  A touch of sibilance again?  This is perhaps a feature affecting both opening tracks?  Regardless of that it still plays with superb audio with no other 'background'.  A Mint- start to the side.

The acoustic intro on 'Growing In My Mind' is flawless and the opening vocal is just as 'clean'.  As it progresses I am again struck by the sheer clarity on offer here.  A quiet track and yet there is no 'background' at all - it truly is a beautiful version and Mint is 100% justified.  A great track and reportedly the only one May was keen on!

'Photographer' and 'Bright Lights In The City' both play with imperious quality from start to finish with no interference.  Powerful tracks and yet there is no inner groove distortion on either and the original sonic quality is still there.  Mint

'Tripping' is of the same standard with no intrusion on the audio.  No need to add anymore this is Mint in every way.

The final track 'My Time' plays very clearly but as usual there is a little inner groove distortion on the vocal.  However, it is minimal and the actual clarity is hugely impressive throughout.  I would say Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio.

In summary this first mono pressing plays to a superb standard with only a little interference on one track as detailed above.  Aside from that the clarity of sound is overriding factor here - the audio is so clean and there is just no background static whatsoever not even during the quieter sections.  I know they were only fulfilling 'contractual obligations' with this record and May was only keen on a couple of tracks when interviewed later but it is nonetheless an essential part of their catalogue.  There are some great tracks in my opinion!  So yes if you do not mind a little interference during 'Out In The Night' and I think a mismatched cover then you will be very happy with this record!  The other tracks are stunning!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The 'mismatched' laminated cover is in very good condition with only a little shelf wear.  The edges and spine have no rubbing/marks and only the bottom right hand corner has a small amount of wear.  The opening edge is does have a little handling and a couple of 'nicks' next to the Fontana special logo top right.  Aside from the two laminate 'nicks' the front cover is very clean with no other wear other than some minor creases next to the spine as is common.  The back cover is also very clean with no laminate damage just a couple of minor corner creases.  This is very close to Ex condition but overall I think VG++ is about right.

I'm not sure if this is the original inner but it remains in excellent condition.  It's like one of early Stones' ones.  It is poly-lined and has no side split or tears, only light creasing and discolouration.  It has Made In England and Foreign Patents Pending printed on one side.

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

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

687951  1L ▽ 1  420  5 1 1

687951  2L ▽ 1  420  1 1 1

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.

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