DEEP PURPLE In Rock UK PRESSING SHVL 777 GRAMOPHONE, NO EMI, RARE A1/B1 MATRIX

	£		62
	$		82

<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/java.gif" border="0"><br><table align="center"><tr><td><a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/axeattackguitarist" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/browse2.gif" border="0"></a></td><td height="21px" valign="middle" align="center"><font face="arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/axeattackguitarist" target="_blank">axeattackguitarist</a> Store</b></font></td></tr></table></div> Deep Purple "Deep Purple In Rock" SHVL 777 A-1    2 P M SHVL 777 B-1    1 H R Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve 7006 
Most '1st pressings' have an A2/B1 stamped matrix, so this one is even earlier and must be described as a true first pressing with 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd' around the label rim, no EMI box logo on the labels, and of course, the earliest possible A1/B1 stamped matrix!
Sleeve is one of the better ones I've ever seen, lovely and bright colours, hardly a trace of edge wear. Legible spine. The hint of foxing to the laminate, some minor indentations (that only be seen when held at an angle into the light) and some corner bumping are the only very minor faults. These sleeves are normally trashed and very prone to ringwear and laminate creasing and usually look pretty rubbish! To find one as clean as this is pretty rare. Note this is the first pressing sleeve with a single key line around the EMI and Harvest logos, later sleeves have a double key line. Comes with a Harvest advertising inner sleeve with a clipped corner and no poly-liner.
A side vinyl plays better than it looks (read full description below) but is quite marked with superficial scratches and must be described as G+, but the B side vinyl is in excellent unmarked condition, but for faint hairlines visible when angled into the light.
Audio is surprisingly good for A side with the initial run in being reasonably quiet. Then the impressive crescendo opening 'maelstrom' kicks in. As this dies down there is the quiet organ intro from Jon Lord, over which there are audible ticks, becoming a little louder and then almost fading out just before the start of the 'Speed King' opening riff. The rest of the loud song then drowns out any background noise with light background crackle audible over the final fade out of the song. 'Bloodsucker' is excellent throughout, with hardly any background noise. 'Child In Time' has light background crackle over the initial organ intro (certainly not the worst I've ever heard, but it should be pointed out), slightly less audible over the first verse. Rest of the song plays through superbly until the dead stop after the solo and then the repeated organ intro. The background crackle becomes faintly audible again given the quieter musical passage, but it seems less audible than before. Despite the aforementioned surface marks, the audio is surprisingly good and plays as VG+ (would be better but for the Speed King intro).
B side starts with an initial 'scuff' sound but not in the music of 'Flight Of The Rat' which sounds great and unspoilt throughout. 'Into The Fire' also plays really well with one audible 'pop' ? of the way through. 'Living Wreck' plays superbly throughout. 'Hard Loving Man' is just as good with light background crackle only audible on the fade out and run out. Plays as EX.
This is an amazing opportunity to acquire a TRUE A1/B1 first pressing, not the later A2/B1 pressing!

Shipping: Please note that any item which sells for more than £40 will ONLY be sent signed-for shipping and therefore an additional charge to cover this signed-for cost at invoice stage.