Description URIAH HEEP - VERY 'EAVY VERY 'UMBLEA truly impressive copy of this increasingly rare and highly sought after 1970 UK very first pressing of this prog rock classic, on the Vertigo (large swirl) label, 6360 006The dead wax matrix numbers are :Side 1 6360006 1Y//1 420 with stampers "1 1 1" at 2.30 o'clock Side 2 6360006 2Y//1 420 with stampers "1 1 1" at 12 o'clockThe appearance of the flat, thick vinyl is truly excellent plus (EX+). Gleaming vinyl with jet black lacquering and in normal daylight no detectable marks at all. Even with close scrutiny and under an intense light I could only identify just a few small, very faint paper scuffs...insignificant. Truly brilliant condition vinyl and clearly having been played sparingly. So very rare to come across this album with the vinyl in such stunning condition - there really can't be many very first press copies in existence in as impressive a condition as this.The labels are excellent+. Beautiful smooth textured labels with no unwanted writing or marks, and the ubiquitous Vertigo logos, on both the side 1 and side 2 labels, perfectly intact, as is all of the text. If it wasn't for the fact that a couple of very light, small spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each are just detectable under a bright light, I would grade the labels as "near mint". Note the track order for sides A and B as listed on the side 2 label, where the order of the tracks "Real Turned On" and "Walking in Your Shadow" are in reverse order to those listed on the inside of the gate fold outer sleeve : this mis-print is an indicator of a true UK first pressing and was corrected in later pressings.The laminated gatefold outer sleeve is a solid excellent. Such an iconic sleeve, and so rare to come across a true UK first pressing in condition as impressive as this. Amazingly there is barely any scuffing or rubbing on any of the edges (just the merest hint of a 2cm very, very light scuff in the middle of the front top edge), the opening sides are firm with no feathering, and each corner remains a well defined right angle with just a very little rubbing on each corner. There is no cardboard creasing and the colouring remains rich and vibrant. The spine remains firm with no scuffing - just a few tiny "nicks" - and all text is perfectly intact. There is an 8cm strip of intermittent and very light laminate lifting adjacent to the bottom of the spine on the front side and a few 1cm very light horizontal laminate creases perpendicular and adjacent to the spine on both the front and reverse sides - nothing intrusive at all and only really noticeable under scrutiny of a bright light. The inside of the gate fold is similarly excellent - no laminate on the inside and with all photography, text and colour remaining beautifully intact. The only minor blemish is some horizontal intermittent light surface abrasion towards the top edge (minor but noticeable - see photo). Again, note the track listing mis-print where the tracks "Real Turned on" and "Walking In Your Shadow" have been mis-matched when compared to the label track listing - I know I keep on about this but it is this error which makes this a much rarer and true first pressing.Finally, the quality of the audio is simply brilliant. No clicks, no skips, no background interference or crackle, just great stereo audio reproduction with brilliant tone and clarity throughout even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume, and silence between the tracks exactly as it should be. Even after all of these years, the opening bars of "Gypsy" still makes my spine tingle. Classic prog rock, heavy rock...call it what you like, it's simply a great album which has more than stood the test of time. Enjoy!The tracks are :Side 1 :1. GYPSY2. WALKING IN YOUR SHADOW3. COME AWAY MELINDA4. LUCY'S BLUESSide 2 :1. DREAMMARE2. WALKING IN YOUR SHADOW3. I'LL KEEP ON TRYING4. WAKE UP (SET YOUR SIGHTS)Comes with original poly lined Vertigo swirl inner sleeve, correctly date stamped "1070" with the original "PLASTIC BAGS CAN BE DANGEROUS...", "British Patent No...." and "MADE IN ENGLAND", text with no splits or tears - just some mild creasing towards the bottom corners - and remaining 100% fully functional. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.In summary a truly excellent copy (with better than excellent vinyl and audio) of this very rare and highly sought after 1970 UK very 1st pressing prog rock classic - there can't be many true 1st pressings of this Uriah Heep classic in condition as good as this - and worthy of gracing any vinyl collection. If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! RichardMy ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. For this item postage & packaging will be UK £5.00, Royal Mail 1st class signed for; continental Europe £9 and Rest of the World £13, Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for. I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.Good luck with your bidding! NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :MintThe records 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.ExcellentThe 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 GoodThe 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.GoodThe 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, discolouration, etc.FairThe 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 are torn, stained and/or defacedPoorThe record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.BadThe record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler