PINK FLOYD PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN 1/1 1st STEREO PRESS Blue COLUMBIA SUPERB
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Description
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 : The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn 1/1 1st Stereo Press Blue Columbia Label
This is STUNNING! It is without question the finest Blue Columbia first stereo pressing that I have ever had the pleasure in listening to. There is NO interference of any kind - not even a minor tick let alone any clicks or pops. The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is sensational and the power is also on another level. There is none of the static distortion that you so often find and this is easily a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic. The vinyl has been preserved so well, it is visually stunning, and whilst it may not be a rare pressing as such it is certainly rarely found in this condition.
The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only light wear on the back, the front cover is immaculate! The original EMI inner is also in superb condition with hardly any wear.
This is a first stereo pressing and the real giveaway is that it has just 'Made In Gt. Britain' on the labels. The later pressings have 'Made In Gt. Britain - Sold in U.K. subject...'. It of course has a 1/1 matrix and a single 'A' stamper on S1 and 'M' on S2 making it one of the earlier first pressings. However, it is housed inside what is known as a second press cover as it has 'File Under Popular : Pop Groups' in the top right flipback on the back cover. This is not uncommon as there was no particular ordering system in the 'factory' when they were first packaged.
SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // A 1 / M 1
The audio on S1 is Mint(-)
The audio on S2 is Mint(-)
The cover is Ex-
The labels are Near Mint-
The inner sleeve is Ex++
Visual description
The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches. Only under a strong light can you see a few very faint sleeve removal hairlines but there is nothing that stands out. Looking in 'normal' room light it looks pristine! The grooves are so clean and there is no 'bag rash' or clouding anywhere. The run out grooves are super clean and the blue Columbia labels are also in great condition and have retained their original colour. There is some spindle wear around the spindle hole on each but not an excessive amount. There is no KT tax stamp on this particular copy. A stunning vinyl!
Play grading
The intro on 'Astronomy Domine' plays with stunning clarity, there is no background, and then Mason's introduction brings 'as new' audio also. The remainder of the intro is faultless and then Barrett's opening vocal plays so clearly and you really notice just how rich and deep the audio is. The next instrumental is phenomenal - a long passage of music and yet the sonic quality is just amazing! The final vocal is of the same high end standard and right to the very end it plays with pristine quality. The playback on this classic is incredible and I cannot put into words just how strong and clear the audio is, the depth of sound has to be the best I have heard in a long time. I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint such is the sonic quality on offer here. What a start!
'Lucifer Sam' plays to the same exact standard with no intrusion from start to finish. There is no muddiness to the sound, no static distortion and each note is just so clean and precise. No ticks, clicks, pops or static and Mint is again deserved.
The intro on 'Matilda Mother' has no background and the opening vocal section plays perfectly. It continues to play 'as new' and there are no negatives. The mid instrumental is STUNNING and the final vocal keeps up this exemplary standard. The end section and fade out has not so much as a dust tick. Has this record ever been played before?!! Another Mint track.
The psychedelic intro on 'Flaming' is faultless and the first vocal just as impressive. From then on it plays as per the previous tracks with a stunning clarity of sound. You can turn the volume up and there is no drop in quality - I cannot emphasise enough just how immaculate the playback is. The 'percussive' mid section is perfect and the final vocal has no intrusion either. This is also Mint no exaggeration.
The 'vocal' intro on 'Pow R. Toc H.' plays perfectly which is rare as there is often some static distortion here. The piano section that follows has not so much as a dust tick and you can hear every subtle nuance in the music precisely because it is so clean. It continues in the same way as it builds - there is a lot 'going on' here musically and yet the clarity is superb and there is no distortion on the top end. The quieter end piece plays beautifully and the 'busy' finale has no interference either. I know this is getting a little repetitive but this deserves to be graded as Mint no need for a minus even. Again.
The percussive intro on 'Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk' is 'as new' as is the opening vocal and the instrumental section then plays with tremendous power and depth. Being the last track on the side you might expect some inner groove distortion and especially on one as powerful as this but the playback is fantastic! If there is any during the instrumental section it is so minimal as to be negligible and the final vocal is just as strong. The audio is so rich and deep and the high octane sections play so well. I will grade as Mint- it is a STUNNING end to an unbelievable side of music.
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Let's hope S2 is just as good! The intro on 'Interstellar Overdrive' has no background and plays loud and clear with no static even. It progresses in the same way and the first 'quiet' section has no intrusion either, not one dust tick, and once again the clarity is just on another level. As it builds out of this section the audio is just as strong and you really appreciate the depth of Waters' bass here. Each note is so sharp and precise - the sonic 'landscape' is just INCREDIBLE! Turn the lights off and imagine you are back in the late 60s! The next quieter section plays beautifully and the rest of this classic is just as impressive. I cannot compliment this classic highly enough, you would think this vinyl was purchased last week not 56 years ago!! The 'crescendo' is so powerful with no distortion and the classic final riff is just perfect. The percussive end section has no background and this has to be the most 'complete' version I have ever heard, the definitive version you could say. It is Mint in every sense of the word.
'The Gnome' plays with STUNNING audio from the first note to the last with a clarity of sound that could not be enhanced in any way. There is not one tick let alone anything more. Mint
There is one pop in the dead wax and then the opening vocal section on 'Chapter 24' plays with great clarity and this standard is kept up throughout. A slightly 'tinny' vocal but as all Floyd audiophiles know this is how it was recorded / produced. The long fade out has no background at all. Another sublime Mint track.
The percussive intro on 'The Scarecrow' has crystal clear perfect audio and Barrett's first vocal is just as impressive. It progresses in the same way and as the bass / acoustic guitar end section comes in the audio is so rich and deep. Superb audio! To the end it plays with imperious quality and yep...Mint is again deserved.
The classic 'Bike' ends this incredible album with genuine quality. Barrett's vocal has that minor tinny feel again but I reiterate that is not interference. There is no inner groove distortion and is one of the cleanest versions I have heard in many a year. No ticks, clicks etc the playback is so clean and even the brief 'silent' section is...totally silent. The 'percussive' section is faultless and even the 'ducks' have no interference! A mesmeric Mint- version to end this classic psychedelic album.
In summary this first pressing plays to a standard that is just so rarely found today and I stand by my gradings of Mint or Mint- for every track. I grade with honesty and integrity as my feedback confirms and it is precisely because I listen to every track in full on good equipment that I can grade in this way with such a detailed description. I know I am running out of superlatives but the sonic quality on both sides is breath-taking. The clarity of sound, the warmth, depth, power and resonance of the audio is STUNNING and this is categorically a FINAL UPGRADE archive classic. In essence there is no background / interference of any kind - you could say this is not surprising due to its stunning visual quality but it still needs to have been preserved well... and it has! I am convinced even the most 'fussy' of collectors, and I use that word carefully (!), will be just as impressed as I am by the quality of the audio. Not exactly a rare album but it is rarely found in this condition that's for sure.
The Cover & Inner Sleeve
The E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition overall with only a little shelf wear. It has kept its original shape and structure very well and has clearly not been over-handled. The edges have no marking / rubbing and the thin pinched spine is in superb shape and remains 100% legible with no wear. Three of the corners are extremely clean and the bottom right one has only a minimal amount of wear. The opening edge is again very clean and has only the bare minimum of handling wear. The laminated front cover is in lovely condition and has no laminate lift / creasing which is a genuine rarity and the back cover is quite clean compared to so many! The grey background has only a couple of minor faint marks and the flipbacks are in excellent condition with only a minimal amount of marking around the edges and are still firmly attached to the cover. The top flipback in the centre does have a small area that appears to be shaded in light blue but it is only a minor thing and as per a second press cover it has 'File under Popular...' in the top right corner. An impressive cover overall and I think Ex- is deserved at the very least.
The original EMI inner, advertising 16 LPs on each side including 'Piper...' and 'Sgt. Peppers', is in superb condition with no side splits or tears, hardly any age related fading and very little creasing.
Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine
SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // A 1 / M 1
I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
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Postage & Packaging
I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.
THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD). AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN. HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH. MANY THANKS.
ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.
I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!
UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item
EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra
USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra
REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)
LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra
I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS! IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED. IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT. I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!
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