PINK FLOYD - A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS UK 1st press black/blue Columbia SX 6258 VG+

	£		174
	$		231

PINK FLOYD - A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

1968 UK MONO 1st PRESSING on black and blue Columbia, SX 6258

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  XAX 3633 - 1, stampers 1, H;  Side 2  XAX 3634 - 1, stampers 1 2, 0

Sought after very early MONO pressing with "SOLD IN UK" label text and "Gilmour" spelt as "Gilmore" on both sleeve and label

Both sides of the thick, heavy duty and completely flat vinyl have retained much of their original sheen and have a very good+ appearance in normal daylight with just a couple of reasonably obvious surface scuffs/hairlines. Under a bright light and tilted at the right angle it is clear that there are a good number of surface hairlines, however, and a few surface scuffs. Some are more noticeable than others and, as with any record of this age that has been played a good number of times, the number of hairlines is substantial ie more than just a few. There is nothing "feelable" or that is obviously beneath the surface, but judging by the number of hairlines it's fair to say that this record has had it's fair number of plays but as with mid-late 1960's thick, heavy duty vinyl of this type it's equally fair to say that there's still a lot of plays left in this particular slab of vinyl!

The quality of the audio is is very good+ (I'm tempted to say "excellent"). There are no skips or loud "pops" or "clicks" and minimal sound distortion which when it does occur is only occasional and on the higher notes. There is some occasional very light crackle (only really obvious at the beginning of each side). Overall a great listen - put it on the turntable, turn up the volume and enjoy. Even though not in "near mint" condition in my opinion the audio quality is still superior to that of a re-mastered digital CD where the extra detail is simply obliterated during the compression process.

The flipback, laminated front side outer sleeve is in very good+ condition. The vibrant front cover colouring is still fully intact and impressive and each of the edges remain rigid and in very good shape with barely any rubbing or scuffing. There is some scuffing on each of the corners. The reverse side flipbacks are still fully functional and just suffer from a little laminate creasing. The opening edge is similarly very good with barely any fraying, and the reverse side photo is excellent with no unwanted writing.

  Each label is excellent. As expected there are a few very mild spindle traces but everything else is in excellent order, including the "K" and "T" tax codes which sit proud on the side 1 label.

The track listing is :

Side 1:

1. LET THERE BE MORE LIGHT

2. REMEMBER A DAY

3. SET THE CONTROLS FOR THE HEART OF THE SUN

4. CORPORAL CLEGG

Side 2 :

1. A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS

2. SEE-SAW

3. JUGBAND BLUES

Comes complete with original EMI inner sleeve - fully functional except for split on bottome edge.

A groundbreaking UK prog rock album, surely an essential part of any serious vinyl collector's collection!

IF THIS ITEM INTERESTS YOU THEN YOU MAY LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER 60's/70'S VINYL OFFERINGS ALSO CURRENTLY ON EBAY : SOME REAL RARITIES!

  If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. I worked in IT for 22 years before doing a complete career change to teach Maths in a high school at the ripe old age of 45 - probably the best career move that I ever made. I took great joy in indulging the "kids" in my eclectic collection of 60's and 70's vinyl, even once dedicating a whole PSE session to the Genesis classic ""Foxtrot".  But now I am retired and a combination of space requirements and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller, and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no questions asked" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take care in removing the record from the outer sleeve and properly protecting it in a separate white inner sleeve in order to prevent outer sleeve damage in transit. Please wait for an invoice before paying. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. Richard

P&P costs are for Royal Mail, 1st class, tracked and signed for. £6.00 for UK, £9.00 for continental Europe, and £12.00 for the rest of the world.

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

Description: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packag­ing might have slight wear and/or creasing.

Very Good

Description: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable sur­face marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

Description: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for prop­erly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

Description: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

Description: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler.