PINK FLOYD A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS 1st STEREO PRESS Blue/Black COLUMBIA Label EX
£
187
$
248
£ 187
Sold For
Mar 19, 2017
Sold Date
Mar 9, 2017
Start Date
£ 20
Start price
18
Number Of Bids
Great Britain
Country Of Seller
eBay
Auctioned at
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Description
A Saucerful Of Secrets 1/1 (First stereo pressing on the Blue/Black Columbia label)
This first stereo pressing has the rare blue/black Columbia label and is one of the earliest ones as denoted by the single stampers H and P. Many of the later first pressings had two i.e. GD, GG or RH. The laminated cover has the three flipbacks on the reverse and 'Gilmour' is printed as 'Gilmore' on both the labels and the cover.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III // B & W 684 Speakers
SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // Mother Stampers H 1 & P 1
The audio on Side One is Ex
'Saucerful...' on Side Two is VG+ (Ex in sections) the remainder is Ex
The cover is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Near Mint
Visual grading
Whilst the vinyl has obviously been played a number of times it remains visually in wonderful condition. There are no scratches whatsoever only and it really is exceptionally clean for its age. There are a number of faint hairlines but these are no doubt more due to sleeve removal but it does not take a genius to see this vinyl has been very carefully handled down the decades! I have rarely seen better. It still has a lovely glossy sheen and at first glance is in superb condition. It is very rare to see a Blue/Black Columbia first pressing looking as good as this.
Play grading
Incredibly for a record approaching 50 years old there is hardly any lead in static to 'Let There Be More Light'. The track then plays with wonderful clarity and with very little background noise. There are no clicks, pops or jumps at all. There are a handful of light dust ticks and light static here and there but it is very much in the background as to not be intrusive. There is a little distortion on the top end perhaps but this is to be expected with a vinyl of this age. The audio in my opinion still plays superbly well for such a rare pressing. 'Remember a Day' has 4/5 very light clicks at the beginning and then plays to the same standard as the previous track. I did hear 3/4 other dust ticks but in all honesty you would be hard pressed to audio of better quality. The classic 'Set The Controls...' begins with very clear sound with only the lightest of static to be heard in a couple of places. The remainder of the track has a some faint crackle in the background, slightly louder towards the end, but once again there are no pops or jumps. I think you expect to hear some interference on a 49 year old vinyl and here it is only minor and does not intrude on the listening enjoyment. 'Corporal Clegg', as is always the case with the early pressings, does play with some distortion. In saying that it is not as obvious on this vinyl as compared to others I have heard. The sound quality is still of a very high standard and plays with excellent clarity.
The title track 'Saucerful...' has a couple of pops right at the start. Thereafter the audio plays very well with some crackle in the background. Again in my opinion it is not intrusive and many an audiophile would say it adds to the listening experience! It is more obvious on the higher levels. So whilst there are no pops here, which is a rarity, there is the background crackle/distortion but again I don't believe it is intrusive. 'See-Saw' for the majority plays very cleanly but with some of the obligatory crackle here and there. The music still 'comes through' very clearly and with excellent depth which is really all you want with this first pressing. 'Jugband Blues' ends the LP with excellent clarity and some light background interference again. The very quiet ending on this track plays with immaculate audio.
In summary this rare and well looked after vinyl in my opinion plays with excellent audio. I am completely honest in my grading and I write what I hear! Although sometimes I do think I over exaggerate the amount of static/crackle. You expect to hear it on these early/first pressings and really for there to be only two pops across the whole album is testament to the quality of the vinyl.
Cover
The laminated G & L cover is in excellent condition with only minor shelf wear. The edges are remarkably clean with no rubbing. The thin pinched spine has a couple of small 'dings' just above where 'Pink Floyd' is printed. The laminate on the front cover remains in excellent order except for a few small creases but there is no splitting or bubbling anywhere. The corners have a little rubbing which is obviously to be expected. The opening edge does have some handling wear but is not excessive. The flipbacks are in wonderful condition which is a rarity when you consider how many of them you see stained and there are only a small number of creases on them. The back cover overall is very clean and there are no marks or writing to be seen. As per the first and early pressings it has 'Gilmore' on the tracklisting. The catalogue number SCX 6258 is printed below the top right flipback with 'File Under Popular : Pop Groups' just above it.
Labels
They are in lovely condition with only spindle wear on each side. There are no marks or writing to be seen. There is no K T tax stamp on this pressing. Around the label it says 'The Gramophone Co., Ltd. All rights of the manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, and copying of this record prohibited. Made in GT Britain'.
Inner sleeve
The original inner sleeve is in superb condition with no splits or tears. It has 16 LP covers on each side including 'Piper At The Gates Of Dawn' and 'Sgt Peppers'.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // Mother Stampers H 1 & P 1
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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