Uriah Heep The Magicians Birthday 1st UK Press Mint Vinyl

Uriah Heep The Magicians Birthday Cat No. ILPS 9213 Island labels 1972 1st UK Pressing Original Near Mint Audio

The Magician’s Birthday is the fifth album released by British rock band Uriah Heep. The story line is “based loosely on a short story” written by Ken Hensley in June and July 1972.

Even though it was recorded mere months after the preceding Demons and Wizards, the album features a notably different sound than the band’s previous albums, with the aggressive hard rock toned down in favor of a cleaner appearance with more progressive elements, something which had only been hinted previously. This change in sound would define Uriah Heep’s following outputs for roughly a decade. 

The original vinyl release was a gatefold sleeve, the front of which was designed by Roger Dean. The innerfold had pictures of the band, with the LP itself housed in a liner on which were printed the lyrics.

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The Vinyl:
This is the original thick heavier chunky slab of vinyl only found like this on the earliest pressings. On visual inspection I can’t see any needle scratches or indeed any marks that would cause any loud clicks or pops. Any other  marks that could possibly be seen angled in strong light would be light whyspy sleeve removal type only.

The Audio Quality:
I have played this vinyl at very loud volume prior to this listing on a top system.  The audio is cristal clear and vibrant through out no distortion or any signs of groove wear at all. I heard no loud clicks or pops during the play of this vinyl. Lovely sounding copy. Audio graded at least excellent plus through out in my opinion.

The Matrix:
Side 1″ILPS 9213 A-1U” (“G KONG” Hand etched only 1st UK pressings) 
Side 2″ILPS 9213 B-1U” (“G KONG” Hand etched only 1st UK pressings)

The Mother Stampers 

The Labels:
These are the original 1st issue ISLAND Labels: minimal spidering can be seen angled to the light and there is little if no spindle wear the hole is perfectly round. This has obviously only had very minimal play in mt opinion.

The Record Sleeve:
This is a plain white paper sleeve, becoming fragile with age at the edges only.

The Cover:
This is the original 1st issue Robor Ltd gate fold cover. Amaizingly there are no  creases to mention. This is nice and straight as it should be. no edge splits or tares. There is light general rubbing ware or marks to mention only. The rear is also clean with no creases. This cover is graded at least excellent to Excellent plus. No splits or tares..

Summery:
A fantastic album and a real classic very collectable being earliest 1st UK pressing.

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FREE SHIPPING IN THE UK ON THE ITEM