Deep Purple - Fireball

Cover swopping is common on this LP so it is important to define a 1st Press Cover correctly.

First edition covers have a darker textured gatefold sleeve (depicting five b&w live photos inside) - the texturing is deep and defined, the spine is thicker, and the cover is thick. The opening edges had one 'flat sealed' at the factory, and the other open. The cover is also of '1 piece' manufacture - folding over at the bottom and glued internally at the top.

ANY COVER THAT IS:- thinner, has small texturing or less defined texturing, is paler, is smooth, is a '2 piece' cover (glued internally at the top and bottom), or has 1 edge 'folded over' and factory sealed is a LATER COVER and is not original.

The Gramophone Co. Ltd. appears at the beginning of the circular text on both labels - later copies have 'EMI Records' instead.

Initial quantities came with a lyrics insert printed in purple on both sides - and this was discontinued in 1973.

All 1st pressings come in a 'polylined' EMI/Harvest inner sleeve depicting other artists' current releases on the Harvest label.
This inner was discontinued in 1974.

Date code 7109 (September 1971) and printer’s credit on inner gatefold.
“Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd.”

E.M.I. RECORDS (The Gramophone Company Ltd.)
HAYES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND.
Made and Printed in Great Britain

Album Devised And Produced By Deep Purple For Edwards/Coletta Productions.
℗ 1971

Runouts are stamped except for PE and K which are etched.