Frank Zappa Lumpy Gravy UK Verve 1st Press 1G1G marix AND 1G1G Stampers STEREO

	£		57
	$		75

Frank Zappa Lumpy Gravy UK Verve 1st Press 1G1G marix AND 1G1G Stampers!!! EXTRA WIDE SPINE Extremely Good Condition!

MORE PHOTOS BELOW!

LISTEN TO BOTH SIDES IN THEIR ENTIRETY RIGHT HERE!!!

This recording comes direct from the vinyl copy you are now bidding on, straight out of my NAD amp, into my ZOOM H2 recorder, recording directly into MP3. When including these recordings for this purpose I make no audio tweaks in any way to the audio recording I have done, I do not alter the weight of the stylus, though I do use a fresh stylus, as, I'm sure we're all aware, is healthy to do anyway, very regularly!  

And loads of the same collection here in my other items!

An extremely rare pressing of a hard to find record in astounding condition!

This super WIDESPINE edition (9mm deep!!!) was only used on the very early copies of this record, as it was deemed impractical by EMI (as far as I’m aware, similar to the WIDESPINE Sgt Pepper’s), it was more difficult to ship (took up more room) and very difficult to keep in it’s non crushed state, which almost all surviving copies are… but this one ISN’T!!!

Not only can I say it’s an early pressing with V6 8741 A – 1 G/ B – 1 G Matrices but this in fact has THE very first stamper numbers, on both sides 1G/1G (that is the mother number 1 at 9 o’clock on both sides and the Lacquer code “G” at 3 o’clock on both sides, which dates it as the very first run of the very first day of pressing!!!

Just give you guys an idea if you're not aware of EMI stamper (9 o'clock number) and Lacquer (3 o'clock letter(s)) codes for those of you who are baffled by this sort of thing, here's the rough idea behind them...

There's alot written about this kind of thing elsewhere, so I'll just write a little...

When manufacturing a record there's a long process, from the master tapes you make some master disks to copy from- logic suggests that the earliest of these is the strongest level, then from these you make imprints/lacquers to run the disks from and again, the earlier these are, the stronger (and some say deeper grooves) the signal on the final record.

The Stamper at 3 o'clock tells you how early a master they've used- ie the earlier the number the earlier the impressing- 1 being the first, 4 obviously being later!

The Stamper/Lacquer codes at 9 o'clock can itemise more exactly how early in the process this disk has been made, but rather than numbers here they use codes, all EMI companies at this period used this code: GRAMOPHLTD - G meaning 1, L meaning 8, GD meaning 10.

The very first ones off the press (some say about the first 300ish others say up to 2000) of a record could carry 1   G on both sides. Obviously to a collector, especially a completist collector this is the grail for each record. This doesn't bother all collectors, but I include this information here for those that it does.

This record bears stamper/lacquer codes 1G  (1st)   1G   (1st), often the stampers don't quite match, though the ones that often do are the very first 2, 1G1G and that’s what we have here!!! If 1G/1Gs are believed to be in the first 1000 copies (generally accepted for EMI subsidiaries), this has to not only be one of the few surviving decent copies of that very first Mother, very first lacquer run, but also one of the very best preserved, absolutely astounding, unbelievable audio, and beautifully clean vinyl!!!

This was the first LP that Frank Zappa had released as a Frank Zappa album as apposed to with the Mothers Of Invention, and the whole title of this LP is “FRANCIS VINCENT ZAPPA conducts LUMPY GRAVY, a curiously inconsistent piece which started out to be a BALLET but probably didn’t make it. ABNUCEALS EMUUKHA ELECTRIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS with maybe even some of the mothers of invention”.  This very first WIDESPINE edition almost NEVER turns up for sale uncrushed, this one is in all it’s uncrushed glory!!!!

This was recorded at the same time as the sister albums “We’re Only In It For The Money” and “Uncle Meat” and certain passages are remixed/alternate version/takes of many of the tracks on We’re Only In It For The Money, and in fact the only writing on the back cover is “Is This Phase 2 Of: We’re Only In It For The Money?”.

Conditions at a glance:

Sleeve Condition: A very strong VG+ or even EX-!

The first thing you’ll notice about this cover is the not crushed spine completely square but for a little indent above the word “Orchestra” (see photos below), The outer of this larger than life gatefold sleeve has thick laminate running all over, usually this makes it more prone to flaking with the slightest creases, but here, as it is in such beautiful condition,  it gives a marble-esque effect over the whole thing, beautiful reflection all over! No shelf-wear along the bottom edges and top edges, The Spine I’ve already mentioned! Opening mouth (right hand of gatefold) is very VERY crisp, the left hand “mouth” for want of a better word is also very nice. No significant feathering of any of the corners, all very crisp. The front cover laminate has 1 actual very thin break in it (the middle “crows-foot” style crease coming from the spine) just a sliver of a break stretching foir less than an inch and ending above the letter “S” in the word orchestra on the spine, where it opens to a 2mm gap in the laminate for about 4mm, under this there is no printing. That is the ONLY break in the laminate anywhere on this amazingly fragile cover! Additionally to the crows foot mentioned in the last sentence, there are 3 other crowsfoot style laminate creases (though not breaks) from the spine, each less than an inch long. There is a similar one from the top to the right hand side of Frank’s hair, again this is less than an inch. There are 2 thumb handling laminate creases near the opening mouth side, each again less than an inch in length, the more obvious one over the word “electric”, and a very minor one all but hidden on Frank’s forearm. The back cover is even better and the only things to note at all are 2 thumb creases on Frank’s right (our left) shoulder, and an all but unnoticeable one on his second button! Inside the laminate wraps around the bottom edge and onto the bottom of the inner for perhaps 15mm, and is perfect and unbroken. Along the top of the inner gatefold, there are flipback style tabs, These notoriously stuck together on these very first WIDESPINES, (I have only ever seen one that wasn’t, and it wasn’t in as good condition as this elsewhere!), this sadly is no exception, but the stick damage is limited to an about 4” by 3mm run along the bottom of both flipback tab (in symmetry) about 4” in from their respective edges. Just above the bottom laminate wrap-around, there is a single point again perhaps 4” in stretching about 8mm by 2mm where for the same reason the 2 sides have stuck ever so slightly. Other than that which I’ve mentioned as damningly as I’ve been able to do then, the sleeve is perfect!

Inner Sleeve Condition: VG+

The Original generic non die cut company “Patents Applied For            Made In Great Britain” text inner is in great condition, no nicks/rips/wear-throughs/stains/writing of any kindvery slight handling creases/indent are all that show that 55years have passed!

Record Condition:

Visually: VG+

The sheen on this is bloody beautiful, there are a couple of very light surface marks that do not take away from it’s undoubted majesty!

Audibly: EX-

Beautifully crystal clear audio, for such a sparse and dynamic album full of loud passages followed by complete silence, it is very unforgiving to drunken nights! Even in the sparse women’s conversation it’s astounding! There’s a passage made to sound like a scratchy old 78rpm record, and when it first started it took me by surprise , my heart sank til I remembered it was meant to sound like that! Ja! A tiny bit of groove noise (dust?) on in the quiet 1st minute of side 2, and again possibly the same sound on the final long fadeout as it gets very quiet, must be a contender for the best audio for a 1G1G stamper copy out there!

Labels Condition: EX-

A few very light spindle marks centered around the spindle hole are the only evidence on these stain-free/abrasion-free/fade-free/etc-free! Glorious Black Original UK Verve labels. Really Gorgeous!

As with a number of the amazingly preserved, seminal albums of the 60s included in this collection, the previous owner devised a sneaky way of identifying his records from other peoples’, he engraved hi name, very carefully and neatly in the dead-wax (near where the matrix would be found) on one side of the record, on this record it is written at about 3 o’clock on side 1, in text 4mm high and about 4cm across, in between the run out grooves, taking massive care not to stray close to the playing surface, run-out grooves, matrix/stamper/lacquer info etc (it goes around the “G” lacquer code),  or label. Please see photos of this, I have tried to catch it in the light, but in truth it is as discreet, if not more so, than the Matrix info!

Matrix/Stamper/Mother/Lacquer Info etc:

Side 1:

V6   8741A   -1G

1                  G

Side 2:

V6   8741B   -1G

1                  G

No KT tax code (or any other) appears anywhere on either the label or the deadwax of this record (in fact I didn’t think any Zappa Verve UK albums had the embossed centre KT tax codes until I came across the amazingly early 1R1R stamper numbered copy of Freak Out I also have up for sale at the moment! But strangely in the same collection a 1G1G copy of We’re Only In It For The Money (the album that followed this one) also has a central KT code… The plot thickens! This is also sadly up for sale!

I HAVE EVERY ORIGINAL ZAPPA/MOTHERS OF INVENTION UK VERVE LPS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW, ALL WITH EITHER THE VERY 1ST LACQUER/MOTHER CODES OR VERY NEARLY, AND ALL IN INCREDIBLE CONDITION!!! SO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS RIGHT NOW!!!!   

 PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY ITEM THAT GOES OVER £36 FINAL BIDDING PRICE I INSIST ON SENDING IT INSURED, AS SUCH POSTAGE WILL COST A LITTLE MORE, PLEASE WAIT FOR ME TO INVOICE YOU IF THIS APPLIES, ANYONE WHO DOES NOT WAIT I WILL EXPECT TO PAY THE EXTRA BEFORE I SEND OFF THE ITEM... MANY THANKS!

Photos Below,

Be sure not to miss any of the other rarities from this collection and others, that I will regularly be listing, by adding me to your favourites list!

Check out the rest of this collection here in my other items!

The beautiful side 1 of this wondrous slab of vinyl!

Amazing that this record should have been played so infrequently! You can tell by the handful of light spindle marks! Also note the matrix (ending in 1G) the previous owner's name very carefully etched into the deadwax, at about 3 o'clock, and the last info you can't see in this photo, but the mother code (at 9 o'clock) is "1" (first!), and the 3 o'clock, lacquer code is "G" (also the very first and immensely rare!).

Here's side 2... also you can make out the text of the inner sleeve behind the record, sorry I forgot to take an individual photo of this, though it is described in depth!

Side 2 label...lovely!

Side 2 matrix (ending in 1G) and close-up of the grooves (and the dust that I clearly hadn't cleaned off prior to this photo!) 

The incredibly rare on any sought after LP 3 o'clock lacquer code of "G" (this is the same on both sides of this record!)

The lovely front cover, trying to catch both the beautiful glaze of the laminate and the slight imperfections too... Really not many of them!

I'll say it again... Just look at that laminate shine!

The incredibly deep wide spine... how often do you get to see any widespine as uncrushed as this... let alone on this very rare record! 

The non-laminated inner (please read in depth description of this for more info!)

The incredible top edge...

The fantastically crisp mouth edges...

And incredibly an unworn bottom (shelf) edge too!!!

This is a true rarity, and in this condition, how many of this very first run exist in any condition, let alone this type of condition????!! Get your bids in NOW!

If you require further photos, please ask, I'll see what I can do!

This record comes from an incredible collection of very early (1G1G, 1B1B etc laquer numbers) presses of some of the very sought after 60s LPs, the condition is remarkable, and the earliness of the laquers unique in my experience! I am listing this collection in it's entirety (though I would love to buy it all- I have taken nothing out!), over the next weeks, there are some things have never seen before, such as a Beatles For Sale with the central KT taxcode pressing INWARDS to the record! 1G1G Verve Zappa albums! A lot of Dylan TMOQ (The Mark Of Quality) and other 60s/70s bootlegs, the 3 Decca Birds singles (featuring amongst others Ronnie Wood), various Widespines (Sgt Peppers, Zappa's Lumpy Gravey etc), REMIX 11 copy of Beatles REVOLVER in really lovely condtion, Velvet Underground on early Verve... Please watch this space! I have been clearing out of non-record related stuff over January, but am listing back again now with avengance! Please refer to the pre-christmas sales' feedback for my pedigree of strict grading! Many thanks!

I will of course, if you aren't ENTIRELY happy with your item offer you a full refund upon a quick return of the item, in exactly the same condition I sent it out in, I wont however cover the postage costs- just in order to put off any time-wasters, I hope you understand. I do have here some REAL MEGA-RARITIES, and I understand perhaps your confidence in me might not be complete, as I haven't listed for a while, which is why I offer this offer of full re-embursment. However I am not a fan of the trend of people trying it on and asking to keep the item but want a partial re-fund, I haven't had it happen to me, and want to keep it that way, so please don't try that, I will happily offer your full winning bid money back upon the safe return of the item, and I think that's fair. 

I am very strict with my grading, having been a collector myself for many years, and I try to include as much relavent information as possible on sales, however if you have any further questions please don't hesitate to ask, I will gladly resond as soon as I can.

One thing I would ask is that the winning bidders do leave feedback, as it's annoying when people overlook it.

I happily offer reductions of postage costs on multiple-items, 

I try grade using direct sunlight which shows up more than anything (hence where poss I take my photos in direct sunlight too), however living in the Pennine Hills, contrary to popular rumour it isn't sunny here EVERY day! So when this isn't always possible, as a backup I also use a 100 Watt lightbulb, though when poss I try to use both.

My Record Grading System:

Mint: I'm really loathe to use this term, if you ever catch me using it, it must be sealed, but also no holes in seal, and no knocks/bangs/other shelf-wear to seal. Doubt you'll ever catch me using it, makes me wince when I hear people dropping that casually into conversations about a record they just picked up on a carboot/found in a loft etc!

Near Mint: Probably still sealed, or possibly played once or twice, but I'm unable to see ANY proof it's been played ie. no spindle marks/surface abbrasions OF AN KIND even in the strongest light, in short, I have a strong suspicion this, whilst possibly not fully sealed has never been out of it's sleeve!

EX+: Must have been reverantly played about as many times as you can count on your hands! Absolutey nothing audible at all, and you'd have to be looking hard in strong light to find fault with any none audible elements of this record package. If I get hold of a record that sounds, and looks like it could have just been carried home from the shop this is about as high as I go unless in exceptional circumstances. In most instances I've found records like this I'd consider them the final upgrade, I'd even consider some sealed records EX+.

EX: Straight Excellent has to mean just that, the kind of copy you wonder how somebody kept it in that condition whilst still having a social life, especially rare in 50s/60s albums, certainly not a grade to be taken lightly or thrown about willy-nilly. Nothing should be audible to the listener during songs, and even in the silences I'd only allow the most minute groove noise.The kind of record that you'd have to look a long way to upgrade!

EX-: A Bloody lovely record, I'd allow the tiniest ticks to be audible on this, so long as they are only a handful throughout the entire record, and they are WELL back in the mix. This is a record/sleeve/insert etc. that has clearly been owned, but looked after to a degree that you ask questions about the previous owner's social life! Perfect for DJ-ing (in this I mean no one will hear the pops! I think DJs should have the very best records around!)

VG+: The difference between VG+ and EX- for me is probably that the previous owner of an EX- possibly didn't have to worry about their collection being ruined too much, as they could count on their fingers the number of people that might have visited them annually, a VG+ is a more realistic grade, clearly played, but by a music lover, who took good care of their records. May have been present at social gatherings, but probably quickly tidied away when more rowdy guests turned up! Still usually  good for alot DJ-ing needs. 

VG: This is a good example of a record that has lived it's life without a glass bubble surrounding it, but it's owner has been quite careful, perhaps the odd feintly feelable mark if you go in search of it that would make an audible click/pop in a number of places on the records surface. Certainly won't be in any museum, but plays well from start to finnish, and whilst may not stand up to a DJs condition, alongside many collections, you'd be very satisfied.

VG-: As VG, but to a slightly heavier degree, might look a bit worse than a VG, else have the odd repeated click that bugs you in the fade-out of that epic side-ending song. Certainly not perfection, but you could do a damn-sight worse! OK for most collections, though there will be better ones that will probably come up (unless it's very rare!) 

G+:   This is starting to wane, shows more signifficant signs of wear/play/misuse. This could be through general carelesness, one bad night, or using a worn stylus, either way, certainly listenable/passable, but if you saw a better copy going at a decent price, you might think about buying it, and seeing what it's worth to sell this one.

G: Plays through but that's about it, signifficant noise that wasn't there when it was bought. Can still hear the song, but would only really be a filler. I doubt I'll sell anything this bad unless I really think someone will appreciate it in their collection. I'll take these down to the local charity shop and let them find their own homes on the whole!

I'll avoid anything less than this unless it's of signifficant interest, and then I'll clearly title is such. I really don't want bad feedback, and it isn't worth it for me, so I'll avoid this.

I feel my grading system is stricter than many I see used, but the sellers I respect on Ebay and elsewhere seem to be of the same mind as me, I'd much prefer to be known as someone who undergrades and you can get a good record from, than someone you have to wonder, "actually is their VG+ quite what I'd expect from that?". Hope I can win you over!

(SOMETIMES I MAY COME ACROSS A RECORD OF SIGNIFFICANT RARITY/DESIRABILITY THAT MAY HAVE A JUMP/STICK IN IT. IN THE UNLIKELY EVENT THAT I THINK SOMEONE MAY WANT IT (EG. IT'S COVER'S IN GOOD NICK, OR IT'S A PRIVATE PRESSING/PROMO OF LIMITED AVAILABILITY) I'LL CLEARLY MARK THIS IN THE TITLE "JUMPS" OR "WARPED" ETC.)

I have have had a few questions about international shipping costs, please do not be put off by the £14 quoted! Yes I combine postage costs, and will only charge  the cost of insured international postage, plus the costs of the packaging (I buy good cruciform boxes, and good stiffeners to post in, I am also pricing up the best way to pad your precious records, and so hopefully this next batch will even be shipped with bubble-wrap too as some of my previous batches have (please observe my feedback regarding this!! All very positive!)), the costs of my packaging will not be about £1 additionally to to costs of the insured postage only, therefore if you live in most of Europe the cost will be signifficantly cheaper than the £14 quoted, and if you buy multiple items, you will save even less! Please wait for an invoice!