1969 4 LP PINK FLOYD UMMAGUMMA TEST PRESS

$ 285

$ 285 Sold For

Aug 25, 2008 Sold Date

Aug 15, 2008 Start Date

$ 100 Start price

10 Number Of Bids

France Country Of Seller

eBay Auctioned at

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Description

I have been collecting records for 25 years now. A few years ago I had the chance to meet one of the EMI / Pathé Marconi french sound engineers who worked for this company from the mid 60's till the mid 70's.
At that time, when they wanted to check the matrix, to put a record on the market, they first press a very few ( often less than 5 ) quantities of pre-test press with a side of the LP on side A and classical music on side B.
This B side was always deeply striped in 4 quarters to make sure that nobody will take this side for the good one (!!!). Most of these " test copies " were stored for a while then destroyed...this one survived.
The guy I bought them had the chance to recover one copy of the Pink Floyd's "UMMAGUMMA" and some others that you'll find on ebay ( JOHNNY RIVERS, GENE VINCENT, SONNY ROLLINS, RAY CHARLES and EDDIE SOUTH ).
However this copy of Ummagumma was certainly the rarest among what I could have bought him. I've never seen any copy like this at records stores, at collectors conventions neither on ebay. I even search on Google to see if there have been some others pre-test press of that kind : nothing !...this may be the one and only that exists !!!

3 of the 4 records still have their original white paper protection sleeves, the third one is missing. Each one has an handwrited reference of the side and ,on the bottom left corner, a small stuck typewriter paper mentionning "Stereo" Pink Floyd then the tittles appearing on each record.
Every side A label is handwritten. Every B side is unknown classical music tunes, the label on that side is always blank.

First record : Astronomy domine / Careful with that axe Eugene.
Matrix # M 6 269759
VG++, shows some real slight surface marks but in great condition

Second record : Set the controls for the heart of the sun / A saucerful of secrets.
Matrix # M 6 269760
VG++ ( shows some real slight surface marks but in great condition ).
If you look closer at the 2 last pictures ( over exposed to see the details ), you'll see that this test press ( 8th picture ) is different and wider than the official issue ( last picture ).

Third record : Sysyphus Part 1,2,3,4 / Grantchester meadows / Several species of small furry animals.
Matrix # M 6 269761
VG+, This side shows some more important surface marks, but still in great condition with some background noises more perceptible in the quiet moments or the blanks . Never skips or jumps.
The original paper sleeve is missing.

Fourth record : The Narrow way part 1,2,3 / The grand vizier garden party.
Matrix # M6 269762.
VG, Unfortunately this side is damaged by some more conspicuous stripes, creating pops but it never skips or jumps. The paper label seems to have been wet and shows some discolorations.

AS EVERY RECORDS COLLECTOR HAS HIS OWN WAY OF CLEANING RECORDS, THESE RARE RECORDS HAVE NOT BE CLEANED. I HAVE JUST TOOK OFF THE DUST USING A SMOOTH VELEVET BRUSH.

Satisfaction guaranteed or money back.
Items will have to be returned within 7 days and send back at buyers charge in a registered parcel.

Payment instructions :

These records will only be sent in a registered parcel. If you want it to be insured ( strongly recommended ), I will give you the amount of insurance after the end of the auction.

- 22.00 USD for AMERICA
- 26.00 USD for ASIA or AUSTRALIA
- 18.00 USD for EUROPE
- 12.00 USD for FRANCE
- PAYMENT : PayPal within 5 days