TRANSFORMER 1st UK PRESS LAMINATED COVER 1E/1E GLOSSY LABELS SUPERB CONDITION

	£		95
	$		126

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This is an original 1st UK pressing. It is not a reissue.

The very first pressing of Transformer had a laminated cover which was quickly replaced by a matt version. So, all the so-called '1st pressings' without laminated covers are not first pressings. Although simply having a laminated cover does not automatically indicate a 1st pressing - Transformer has been issued with a laminated cover at various times in its history.

However, the first press cover can be distinguished by the colour of the background at the top of the cover. This was changed from bronze/gold to tan in the mid seventies. The difference is easy to see as the early covers have a clearly-visible third band between the gold and black parts, mixing the two colours, whereas the tan covers do not have the middle band. Early press covers (and recent 180g and anniversary re-releases) have this distinctive 3-tone background, but only the first ones were laminated.

Some of the later covers with the tan colour at the top were laminated, but they are easy to tell apart simply because the backgrounds look different. These later covers will typically be found with matt labels and with later (etched) 2E matrixes on at least one side. They are NOT 1st pressings. They are much later copies. (At the time of listing there were two of these for sale on ebay, wrongly described as first pressings, one of which has been 'mixed and matched' with a 1E/1E disc!).

This listing is for a hard-to-find GENUINE first pressing with stamped 1E/1E matrixes and glossy labels and a laminated cover with gold 3-tone background colours.

This has the following stamped 1st press matrix numbers:

Side 1: BPRS 7038 1E

Side 2: BPRS 7039 1E

Description
Disc: The vinyl has retained its original sheen with very few marks: just a handful of wispy surface hairlines and sleeve-removal lines when viewed under bright, direct light. I would grade it as Excellent (Ex).

Labels: Very nice with no issues.

Sleeve: The sleeve has no seam splits, tears, writing, stickers etc, just some light signs of age or use, including light wear to the edges and corners and some minor creases etc. Like most copies there is some laminate lift near the spine, but UNLIKE most copies this is not all split and flaky. This is one of the best first press covers for Transformer that I have seen in a long time.

Detracting features not covered above:  None.

All photographs are of the actual item for sale. Please ask any questions before you bid or buy.

Where gradings are given these are based on the UK Record Collector grading system (see below) and are visual gradings only, unless the listing specifically states that it is a play-grading.

I use the UK RECORD COLLECTOR GRADING SYSTEM. This grading system differs from some other grading systems, in particular the Goldmine grading system. Please make sure that you are familiar with the UK record collector grading system before you bid.

Mint: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.

Plus (+) or Minus (-) are added where items fall between gradings. I only ever use one plus or minus.

P&P costs as follows:

UK:

First LP or 12" record = £4.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.

First 7" record = £3.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.

Europe:

First LP or 12" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.

First 7" record = £11.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.

Rest of the world:

First LP or 12" record = £24.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.

First 7" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.