I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Pink Floyd : A Saucerful Of Secrets 1 / 1 5th Stereo Press 1973

This early pressing plays with superb audio, there is hardly any interference.  There is just one light click on S2 and that is the only obvious intrusion.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning and whilst the title track does have that click the rest of it plays with exceptional quality.

The laminated G & L cover is in great condition with only the bare minimum of wear and the original inner is very clean also.  It just has the band name and title written on one side.

This stereo pressing has two EMI logos on the labels and 'The Gramophone...' text around the rim.  I believe it to be a fifth stereo from around 1970.

SCX 6258  //  YAX 3633 - 1   GO 1  /  YAX 3644 - 1   GL 1

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (T1 Mint- / T3 ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint (T1 ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint, much more of the latter!)

The cover is Ex+

The original inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong bright light I can see a few faint hairlines and there are a couple on S1 that are slightly longer but you can only see them when you hold the vinyl at a certain angle, they are still very faint!  There is one tiny white 'speck' on S2 that refuses to move and a couple of mega faint hairline scuffs also.  There is no groove or surface wear and the Columbia labels are close to perfect with no marking and very little spindle wear.

Play grading

The entire intro on 'Let There Be More Light' plays with superb clarity, there is no interference, and the depth of the audio is so strong also.  The first verse and chorus are just as impressive and it continues in the same precise way.  No ticks, clicks, pops and no background static either.  The vocals are so clean and the closing instrumental is stunning.  Is it just me or did I hear different things here?  Perhaps this pressing brings out the full range of the audio.  The long fade out has no background either and this is without doubt a Mint- start to the album.

The intro on 'Remember A Day' is perfect and Wright's opening vocal is equal to that.  The following instrumental is close to that with only a couple of minor statics and the next vocal is flawless.  From then on it plays with exceptional clarity and warmth and I heard only 2/3 light statics, things that don't really require a mention.  The clarity is 'high end' indeed, every note so sharp and precise, and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound.  The end instrumental demonstrates exactly what I mean.  I will say Near Mint but that could be considered a little harsh maybe.  

The intro on 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' plays so clearly with only the bare minimum of light background static i.e. hardly any and nothing intrusive.  Waters' first vocal is nigh on perfect and this standard is kept up as it progresses.  There is just a minimal amount of static distortion during the mid instrumental but again it is so minor and does not detract from the 'listen'.  The next vocal is more or less perfect and the remainder is strong and clear with only a little static distortion in one section.  I would say this ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint

I don't think it matters what early pressing you listen to but 'Corporal Clegg' always plays with a kind of distorted sound in my opinion.  Not in every section and in actual fact the more I listen to it the more I am impressed by this version.  The power of the audio is very impressive and many sections play with genuine quality.  You know what I'm going to grade it as Near Mint as I don't think it should be downgraded due to how it was recorded / production.  It plays with stunning quality for the vast majority and is easily one of the strongest versions I have heard in a long time.  The instrumental sections in particular are STUNNING!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The quiet build up on 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' plays with incredible clarity and there is only one minor static tick about 45 seconds in.  This opening section continues to play with remarkable quality, there is barely any background, and as the volume increases the audio is so powerful and there is no distortion on the top end, a handful of mega quiet statics that is all.  This is without doubt one of the cleanest opening sections I have ever heard.  The next section with Mason featuring heavily of course plays with great quality in the main but with one light click followed by a minor tick due to that tiny 'speck'.  The quiet passage then plays with sublime clarity, the organ sound is so clean and precise, and there is no interference here.  The stand alone organ section is superb!  As it continues I noticed only a couple of very light ticks and then the 'choral' section plays with phenomenal quality, the depth and warmth of the audio could not be beaten.  The 'finale' has only a couple of mega light statics - the vast majority is Near Mint but because of that one click (could be removed perhaps) I will grade as ranging between Ex+ and Near Mint but it has to be one of the finest versions I have heard in many a year.

The intro / opening vocal on 'See-Saw' plays without fault and as it continues there is still no intrusion.  There is just a hint of static distortion for a couple of brief moments but it is so minor and non-intrusive in my opinion.  The overwhelming sense is one of great clarity and there are no ticks, clicks etc.  Near Mint

'Jugband Blues' ends this classic album with exceptional audio.  Barrett's opening vocal is faultless - can't say I've ever noticed the recorder in the background before!  This high end standard is maintained and for a final track the audio really is superb, no distortion at all.  The almost jazzy improv section plays with great quality and the final acoustic / gentle vocal from Syd plays with stunning precision with not even a single dust tick.  Just a touch of light static on the final note but Near Mint is certainly deserved.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The G & L cover is in lovely condition with only minimal wear.  The edges have no rubbing / marking and the thin pinched spine is near perfect with only a couple of tiny 'specks'.  The corners have hardly any wear and the opening edge is very clean with only light handling wear.  The laminated front cover has only one small faint 'line' near the bottom edges and some of the usual laminate creases next to the spine.  The back cover is in superb shape also with no marking and the flipbacks are still firmly in place.  The top two just have a little creasing on the rounded corners and on the right flipback there are a couple of minor creases also.  The edging has none of the marking / staining that you so often see.  A fine example overall.

The original EMI inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears, no marking and hardly any creasing.  The band name and title is written on one side as can be seen.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SCX 6258  //  YAX 3633 - 1   GO 1  /  YAX 3644 - 1   GL 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!