PINK FLOYD PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN RAREST UK COLUMBIA ORIGINAL EARLIEST FIRST

	£		221
	$		293

An Important Foreword Regarding Condition & Grading: Previous visitors to my listings will know that I offer albums which range from very good plus to near mint in terms of condition. I don’t restrict my offerings to just near mint, and I don’t just call everything great or excellent plus regardless of condition. Occasionally a rare album turns up which in some respects grades very good plus but in other ways is outstanding so providing each of the features are individually and accurately graded, and I take great care with this, I am happy to offer it for sale. However, all vinyl albums I offer are at least highly presentable and deliver enjoyable audio, and most are much better than that – if you are intending to bid please read my comments, observations and individual gradings and check that you are satisfied before placing your bid.

Vinyl Cleaning: I use machine cleaning only when my ‘ear’ tells me that the audio performance has deteriorated by exposure over time and will obviously be returned closer to the original sound by using this method. If I think a vinyl will benefit from this I carry out the procedure with great care, but I do not clean vinyls for the sake of it - many I offer for sale have had little use and although there can be slight contamination in the grooves, even when new, that is the original authentic sound. My preferred method with little used vinyls is by soft ‘light touch’ hand brush with natural fine hair gently moved in the direction of the microgrooves. In all methods of cleaning I use a mild solution of isopropyl alcohol with a spot of gentle detergent to lubricate and clean the playing surfaces. I am aware that cleaning can be a controversial subject with vinyl collectors, audio purists and enthusiasts so I will state on each individual listing if, and how, the vinyl(s) have been cleaned just after the ‘Vinyl Visual Grade’.

Specific notes regarding grading and description: The first section of each listing summarises the album offered, contributors and format followed by the ‘provenance’ in terms of the matrix – mother – stamper trail which determines the ‘position’ of a record in the pressing process. The dedicated sections which follow explain why I consider the particular album to be rare and / or special, accompanied by my comments and observations, and then deals with the grading of each aspect of it accompanied by a brief description. My assessment of the appropriate grade for each component is based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2014’. The essential ‘play grade’ and ‘audio performance’ report rounds up the description just prior to the ‘general notes’ which is the same on all of my listings. I hope that this layout, including the extensive photo gallery, will prevent bidders from overlooking key points in their evaluation. Please read the following description and take a careful look at the comprehensive photographs which show the actual item clearly and provide an informative and accurate representation.

When I mention age in my listings it is not an excuse for poor condition but as a matter of fact. I do not regard condition as age related, it is primarily dependant on care, and if you ever see something described as ‘good for its age’ I recommend you avoid it because more often than not it’s an excuse for something that has not been carefully used.

I do not use photographs to enhance albums they are included as an aid to bidders and I always ‘frame’ the shots to highlight any flaws or blemishes – not to bleach out, obscure or avoid them. My photo galleries always feature photos taken from as many angles as reasonably possible with ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ facilities because I want visitors to have the best opportunity to examine visual condition. I always request the maximum photo facility from the eBay system but I have noticed that on some occasions, presumably due to technical glitches, the ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ does not work – if you ever have any difficulty obtaining satisfactory images from my listings please contact me via a message to the listing and I will send you more photographs as an attachment to my reply.

Album / Record Title: THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN

Artiste(s): PINK FLOYD – please see rear of cover photographs / notes for full details.

Track Listing: Please see label photographs for full details

Produced By: Norman Smith

Cover maker / format / designer / construction: Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., UK first issue original single slip cover - front cover photography by Vic Singh, rear cover design by Syd Barrett - it is of medium duty, flexible card, construction which is front laminated with flip-backs sealed on to a non-laminated back panel. The cover is date coded 6709 (September 1967 the month and year of first UK release for this album) printed to the right hand side on the bottom flip-back next to the makers credit and it does not feature the ‘File under POPULAR : Pop Groups’ text on the right hand side of the top flip-back which was added to the covers of this album at a very early stage in the UK first issue production run and is a far more common feature.

Disc Format & Playing Speed: 12” LP & 33 1/3 r.p.m.

Recording Format: MONO

Record label: ORIGINAL COLUMBIA BLUE ON BLACK LABELS, MAGIC NOTES LOGO, LARGER SILVER TEXT WITH ‘SOLD IN U.K……’ AND KT PURCHASE TAX CODE EITHER SIDE OF THE SPINDLE HOLE SIDE 1.

Catalogue Number(s): SX 6157

Country of origin and first published date: GT. BRITAIN 1967 (September)

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrix side 1 (or A):     XAX 3419-2

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrix side 2 (or B):     XAX 3420-1

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother side 1 (or A):    1  

Vinyl ‘run off’ mother side 2 (or B):    1

Vinyl ‘run off’ stamper code side 1 (or A):   G   

Vinyl ‘run off’ stamper code side 2 (or B):   P

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 1 (or A): none visible

Vinyl ‘run off’ initials / cryptic / other side 2 (or B): none visible

N.B. Please note that all matrices, mothers and stampers quoted in my listings are machine imprinted except where I state an alternative method next to them.

Rarity / Observations / Comments: A CLASSIC RARITY – AS A UK COLUMBIA ORIGINAL FIRST PRESS, FIRST ISSUE WITH THE BLUE / BLACK ‘MAGIC NOTES’ LABELS AND THE RAREST FIRST VARIANT COVER WHICH OMITS THE ‘File under POPULAR : Pop Groups’ TEXT ON THE BACK IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER / FLIP-BACK. THIS IS A VARIANT WHICH IS GENUINELY RARE AND ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER ‘HIGH PROFILE’ ALBUMS OF THE GENRE. IT SOLD WELL ON FIRST RELEASE PEAKING AT #6 IN THE UK ALBUM CHARTS BUT FINDING THIS SPECIFIC UK ORIGINAL VARIANT TODAY IN HIGHLY PRESENTABLE AND ENJOYABLE CONDITION IS UNDOUBTEDLY VERY DIFFICULT. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT VARIANTS PRODUCED WITHIN THE FIRST UK PRESSING RUN WITH THE MONOS PRE-DATING THEIR STEREO COUNTERPARTS BY ABOUT A MONTH – SO TECHNICALLY THE MONOS ARE THE EARLIEST PRESSINGS - AND THIS ONE HAS FEATURES WHICH INDICATE THAT IT WAS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST ‘PIPER’ RECORDS EVER PRESSED / DISTRIBUTED IN ONE OF THE VERY FIRST COVERS EVER PRINTED…I EXPLAIN THESE CLAIMS IN THE NEXT TWO PARAGRAPHS.

DEALING WITH THE COVER FIRST IT IS CLEAR THAT WHEN ERNEST J. DAY SET UP THE PRINT RUN THEY EITHER OMITTED THE CATEGORY REFERENCE OR THEY WERE NOT GIVEN THE INSTRUCTION BY THE RECORD COMPANY. IN THE 60’S THERE WAS OFTEN CONFUSION IN THE MANY SMALL INDEPENDENT RECORD SHOPS, AND SOME OF THE LARGER ONES, ABOUT WHERE TO DISPLAY SOME OF THESE ‘STRANGE’ RECORDS (I REMEMBER MY LOCAL SMALL TOWN RECORD SHOP OWNER BECOMING QUITE PERPLEXED WITH THE INFLUX OF MUSIC OF WHICH HE HAD LITTLE OR NO KNOWLEDGE). THIS IS PROBABLY BEST HIGHLIGHTED BY THE STORY THAT THE FIRST GENESIS ALBUM ‘FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION’ SOLD POORLY PARTLY DUE TO IT BEING DISPLAYED IN RECORD SHOP IN THE RELIGIOUS MUSIC SECTION BECAUSE THE ALBUM TITLE WAS ALL THE RECORD SHOPS HAD TO REFER TO WHEN IT FIRST TURNED UP! IN THE CASE OF ‘PIPER’, THIS OMMISSION WAS NOTICED VERY QUICKLY AND THE PRINTING PLATES WERE CHANGED TO INCLUDE THE ‘File under POPULAR : Pop Groups’ TEXT ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE TOP FLIP-BACK TO ASSIST WITH CATEGORIZATION. HOWEVER, A SMALL NUMBER OF THE UNCATEGORIZED COVERS, LIKE THIS ONE, HAD ALREADY BEEN PRINTED AND RATHER THAN WASTE THEM THEY WERE USED TO DISTRIBUTE THE EARLIEST FIRST PRESSINGS.

SECONDLY, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT, IS THE RECORD PROVENANCE. YOU CAN SEE FROM THE SECTION ABOVE THAT THIS RECORD WAS PRESSED FROM THE FIRST MATRIX SET THROUGH THE FIRST MOTHERS TO STAMPER ‘G’ ON SIDE 1 AND ‘P’ ON SIDE 2 – IN COLUMBIA CODE THIS MEANS THE FIRST STAMPER EVER MADE FOR SIDE 1 AND THE SIXTH FOR SIDE 2 WHICH IS ONE OF THE VERY FIRST PAIRINGS USED. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS RECORD WAS WITHIN THE FIRST FEW HUNDRED MADE. (PLEASE NOTE THAT ON SIDE TWO OF THIS RECORD THERE IS A SMALL PRESSING STAIN ON THE ‘RUN OFF’ AREA IN THE SHAPE OF AN ‘O’ – THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE STAMPER CODE WHICH IS JUST A SINGLE LETTER ‘P’)

IN SUMMARY THE COMBINATION OF THE COVER VARIANT AND ‘RUN OFF’ DETAILS IT IS LOGICAL TO CLAIM THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST EXAMPLES EVER MADE.

THE CONDITION IS, OF COURSE, JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE PRINTING AND PRESSING CREDENTIALS AND THIS HAS A NUMBER OF ISSUES WHICH I CONSIDER TO BE EITHER ACCEPTABLE OR MINOR – BUT I AM THE SELLER SO IN ORDER FOR PROSPECTIVE BIDDERS TO MAKE A FULLY INFORMED CHOICE I AM HIGHLIGHTING THE FLAWS AND BLEMISHES IN THE NEXT TWO PARAGRAPHS.

FIRST THE COVER – THE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A FAIR AND ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE ACTUAL COVER BUT I POINT TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS SOME CREASING ON THE FRONT, TO THE CORNERS AND EDGES, PLUS THE BACK SHOWS SIGNS OF WEAR AND LIGHT DISCOLOURATION. THE MAIN DETRACTION FROM ORIGINAL IS THAT THE FIRST OWNER WROTE A NAME TO THE RIGHT OF THE GROUP SILHOUETTE ON THE BACK WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN CREATIVELY COVERED BY A SHAPED MATT BLACK STICKER IN A STYLE SIMILAR TO THE ARTWORK – NOT IDEAL BUT IT’S NOT UNPLEASANT IN MY VIEW.

THE VINYL RECORD HAS BEEN FREQUENTLY PLAYED AND DISPLAYS MANY SIGNS OF USE ON BOTH PLAYING SURFACES WITH LIGHT SCRATCHES. ALSO, ON SIDE 2, THERE IS A SURFACE SCUFF ABOUT THE SIZE OF A THUMBPRINT – I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED THIS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO GIVE IT MAXIMUM EMPHASIS SO THAT NOBODY CAN BE IN ANY DOUBT ABOUT HOW IT LOKS FROM IT’S MOST UNFLATTERING POINT OF VIEW. HOWEVER, I CAN CONFIDENTLY STATE THAT ALL OF THE BLEMISHES ARE MAINLY SUPERFICIAL; NONE OF THEM – INCLUDING THE LARGE SCUFF – HAVE ANY SIGNIFICANT AFFECT ON THE AUDIO DELIVERY. THERE ARE A FEW MILD TICKS AND A LITTLE LIGHT CRACKLE HERE AND THERE BUT IT PLAYS CONTINUOUSLY, NO SKIPS, NO JUMPS AND NOTHING WHICH DISTRACTED ME FROM ENJOYING A FINE AUDIO PERFORMANCE – PLEASE READ MY PLAY GRADE BELOW FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

OVERALL THIS A VERY PRESENTABLE AND ENJOYABLE COLLECTORS PIECE WHICH IS VERY HARD TO FIND IN ANY CONDITION AND VERY EXPENSIVE IF FOUND IN BETTER CONDITION – SO WELL WORTH CONSIDERATION.

MY GRADING OF THIS ALBUM based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2014’ (**n.b. please note that I grade accurately backed up by a description. I neither over-exaggerate nor under-exaggerate. I see no point in grading an item with multiple ++++ marks, or under-grading it and then stating that it should be graded better - I consider these methods to be confusing. I use the Record Collector system with either TOWARDS PLUS or a FULL PLUS to indicate variations above a grade. I have dropped the ‘minus’ indicator in favour of the next full grade down because I find that many sellers use the ‘minus’ as a method of implying a higher grade than is strictly deserved and I do not want to want to be associated with that practise. I always include a full set of super-sized photographs to provide bidders with the best possible opportunity to make their own visual assessment of each album in conjunction with my detailed descriptions.

Cover – front surface: VERY GOOD PLUS – for the main part this is a tidy and intact frontage – there are some creases, the two most noticeable are a small one across the top right corner and a larger one across the bottom right corner which ends on the bottom seam with a small scuff which has removed a tiny piece of laminate / print - please see the photographs which show it all clearly.

Cover – back surface: VERY GOOD – generally very presentable with minor pick-up and discolouration at the leading / entry edge. I have lowered the grade to allow for the ‘black sticker modification’ to the right of the silhouette and the creasing (there is also a small handwritten original purchase price top right corner as you can see) but overall it is a relatively clean and tidy back cover – please see photographs.

Cover – corners: EXCELLENT – minor bumps and tip end rub wear – please see photographs.

Cover – top seams: EXCELLENT – slight evidence of rub wear.

Cover – bottom seams: EXCELLENT – slight evidence of rub wear.

Cover – leading / entry edges: VERY GOOD – exactly as shown in the photographs, a little pick-up, a few mini dents and slight discolouration.

Cover - centre spread: NONE – not applicable

Cover – spine: EXCELLENT – slightly discoloured and some small scuffs, mainly to the top sections, but overall first rate with all text clean, clear and readable.

Cover – overall grade: VERY GOOD PLUS – please see the full selection of photographs which illustrate the written description.

Vinyl Visual side 1 (or A): VERY GOOD PLUS – a scattering of light superficial surface scratches / scuffs consistent with bag movement and some caused by light stylus contact but there is nothing which has any significant audio consequence – please read the play grade below for full details.

Vinyl Visual side 2 (or B): VERY GOOD – some light superficial surface scratches / mini-scuffs consistent with bag movement, some caused by light stylus contact and the larger ‘thumbprint size’ scuff explained in this listing and highlighted in the photographs, but there is nothing which has any significant audio consequence – please read the play grade below for full details.

Vinyl Warp: nothing significant when eye tested on a moving turntable.

Vinyl Weight: 140 grammes (a classic COLUMBIA heavyweight)

Vinyl Cleaning: By hand only, light touch soft brush, very little required.

Label Visual side 1 (or A): EXCELLENT TO PLUS – light spindle trace lines.

Label Visual side 2 (or B): EXCELLENT TO PLUS – light spindle trace lines.

N.B. Please note that I make no adjustment or allowance in grading for minor marks, slight shrinkage marks, stretch marks / lines on labels, misalignment or marginal print bleed caused in original pressing; these features are quite normal and in my opinion are individual characteristics – not defects.

Inner Sleeve: VERY GOOD TO PLUS, plain cream era specific correct original (it is worth mentioning that, in my experience, the very earliest issues of this album were distributed in these plain white / cream inner sleeves and not the EMI company inners which are seen with are correct for the majority of slightly later first pressings) which remains poly-lined and fully intact – no seam splits, just discoloured and creased - please see photograph.

Inserts: None

Play Grade: I consider all aspects of an albums condition and grading to be highly important and none more so than the quality of the audio delivery; superior audio performance is, above all, the main reasons for listening to vinyl. For this reason I have decided to extend my play grade to rate separately how ‘clearly’ and ‘cleanly’ the sound is received. With vinyl the listener can experience almost perfect ‘clarity’ and reality without the sound being perfectly ‘clean’ due to the fact that this is a medium where physical contact is unavoidable and the ‘finish’ in the original pressing process could vary during the course of a production run. Other factors can make very small differences: for example - lack of use, environment or type of equipment can cause variations in cleanliness. Therefore, where my cleanliness grade is lower, based on the conditions prevailing at the time I carried out my audio test, with careful use this is likely to improve.

A NOTE ON AUDIO GRADING: I REGARD PLAY GRADING RECORDS AS A PRIVILEGE RATHER THAN A TASK BUT EVEN WITH MY EXPERIENCE IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO TREAD THE FINE LINE THAT WEAVES ITS WAY BETWEEN THE VARIATIONS IN DIFFERENT LISTENERS EXPECTATIONS AND / OR THE EQUIPMENT AND CONDITIONS WHICH PREVAIL IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS. I SET OUT IN THE ‘GENERAL NOTES’ SECTION BELOW THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT I USE AND I DO FIND THAT LIGHTLY USED UNDAMAGED VINYLS OFTEN IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY WITH PLAY, AS I MENTIONED IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH. HOWEVER, UNLESS I GRADE A RECORD AS A NEAR MINT ‘DOUBLE’ FOR CLARITY AND CLEANLINESS THERE IS ALWAYS THE CHANCE OF A RANDOM ‘POP’, ‘TICK’ OR LOW LEVEL SURFACE SOUND (EVEN WITH NEAR MINT AND NEW RECORDS THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY OF LIGHT TRANSITIONAL SURFACE SOUND). SO, PLEASE ALWAYS ASSUME THAT THERE WILL BE SOME EVIDENCE OF THIS BEING A MEDIUM WHICH RELIES ON PHYSICAL CONTACT AND THEREFORE BY DEFINITION CANNOT BE ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS. CLARITY AND REALITY OF SOUND IS THE REASON THAT MOST PEOPLE CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO ANALOGUE RECORDINGS FROM VINYL AND THAT IS WHAT I STRIVE TO PROVIDE. EQUALLY, I UNDERSTAND THAT NOBODY ENJOYS NASTY SURPRISES SO YOU CAN BE SURE THAT I WILL ALWAYS AIM TO HIGHLIGHT ANY MINOR DEFECTS AND EXPLAIN THEIR AFFECT ON THE AUDIO REPRODUCTION.

For CLARITY the audio from this vinyl grades: EXCELLENT

For CLEANLINESS the audio from this vinyl grades: VERY GOOD PLUS

Audio Performance: THIS WAS A PLEASANTLY SURPRISING PLAY GRADE FOR ME COMFORTABLY EXCEEDING MY BEST EXPECTATIONS. WHEN I FIRST LOOKED AT THE PLAYING SURFACES I HAD SLIGHT DOUBTS ABOUT HOW IT WOULD SOUND – ALTHOUGH LIGHT FINGERTIP TOUCH OF THE VARIOUS SCRATCHES AND BLEMISHES DID SUGGEST THAT NONE OF THEM WERE VERY SERIOUS. PLAYING IT THROUGH REVEALED A VERY FINE AUDIO DELIVERY OVERALL WITH ONLY VERY LITTLE, AND NOT OFTEN, INTERFERENCE. THERE IS SOME OCCASIONAL LIGHT CRACKLE FROM THE QUIETER AND NON RECORDED SECTIONS AND SOME RANDOM LIGHT TICKS BUT THIS BACKGROUND SOUND IS VERY MILD AND DID NOT DISTRACT OR DETRACT FROM AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE. IT IS FAIR FOR ME TO SAY THAT I HAVE HAD COPIES OF THIS RECORD WHICH LOOK BETTER BUT DO NOT PLAY AS WELL, OR SOUND SO GOOD – IT PLAYS SMOOTHLY AND CONTINUOUSLY THROUGHOUT, NO STICKS, NO SKIPS, NO JUMPS. OF COURSE IT IS NOT PERFECT, IT IS AN ‘AVERAGE’ USED VINYL RECORD WITH MINOR FLAWS BUT IT HAS PLENTY OF LIFE LEFT. AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT EXPECT ANY MORE THAN MY DESCRIPTION, GRADING AND PHOTOGRAPHS IMPLY YOU SHOULD BE FULLY SATISFIED WITH THIS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE ALBUM.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS BY CLICKING ON THE ‘VIEW SELLERS OTHER ITEMS’ IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER BOX OF THIS LISTING - THANK YOU.

GENERAL NOTES

Thank you for visiting my listing. The section immediately above sets out information specific to the particular album / record offered in this listing. Below are some of my general comments about vinyl which you may want to browse through if you have time. Please feel free to email me with any related comments or observations; particularly if you have any reliable information which contradicts any of my descriptions as I am always interested in adding to my knowledge on this subject. When preparing my listings I use a combination of facts from reliable sources, more than forty years of personal experience and, occasionally, music industry anecdotes.

Just a visual inspection of used vinyls is almost always misleading so I play grade every vinyl I offer, before listing, on a LINN SONDEK LP12 deck fitted with a LINN K5 cartridge down-force set at 17.5 mN (1.75 g) and a top quality stylus which I renew at intervals according to manufacturers specification, through a manufacturers pre-set REGA BRIO amplifier with sound delivered through FOCAL CHORUS 706 loudspeakers - this is a brilliant and revealing combination enabling me to be informative with play grading.

Although it is extremely rare, there can be a difference between my descriptions, and opinions, and an individual buyer’s expectations so I have a clearly stated Returns Policy for added reassurance which is detailed at the bottom of all my listings. In the unlikely event that you want to use this facility please read the details carefully first, and then contact me to agree the procedure. There really will never be a reason to have any problem with an item you purchase from me. Before bidding please read my terms and conditions of sale below which are there to inform bidders and prevent any misunderstandings.

First Issues, First Pressings & Originals: Please note that when I refer to a First Issue I mean that the evidence suggests that the album offered is from the first batch that was issued for commercial release in the country of origin stated in the listing. Where I state First Press I mean that based on a reasonable interpretation of the matrices, mothers and stamper codes the vinyl comes from the first, or extended first, production run; these statements alone do not always mean that the vinyl is from the very first ’stamper’ ever made. However, where I state First Issue and First Press it is likely that the album offered includes one (or more) of the early vinyl(s) produced in the country of origin from the first matrix sets, first or early ‘mother(s)’ and first or early ‘stamper(s)’. Original means that the record bears the first label design for that particular pressing and, in the case of the cover, it is from the first cover manufacturer for that pressing; the label and / or cover may have very slight changes, if they were made within the first production run or, if the album was issued with an ‘in run’ label change or choice of cover designs or colours on first release, but in these cases I will try and explain the differences. This is not an exact science and anomalies will occur where I may make a mistake but I believe this will not happen very often - if it does then all of my buyers have the unequivocal reassurance of my Comprehensive Returns Policy.

My definition of a rare vinyl: Generally there is agreement that to qualify for the description rare there should not be too many of the type offered, available on the market at the time. With my listings that will be the main criterion however I will also occasionally claim rarity based on excellence of condition, or some other key feature, or an accompanying item such as an insert, which is not often found with similar vinyls.

UK first and early pressings: In many cases inexperienced sellers claim first pressing status without knowledge or evidence in the hope of achieving high prices – experienced buyers will know better and avoid those offers. Of course with the more popular huge selling albums, where the record companies were fairly sure of major sales from the outset, there were many first pressings. Also, in cases where demand was sustained or emerging the first press run was maintained over an extended release period; in other cases the first press run was specific. Generally the lower the numbers in the matrices and stamper codes on the vinyl ‘run off’ areas, on both sides of a record, the earlier the pressing therefore ‘A1’ & ‘B1’ are most often first or early pressings, but there are variants and exceptions to the rule. The most notable ones, for example where the ‘1’ matrix was only used for test, promo or industry pressings so the commercial releases started at ‘2’ or even higher, and there are a few more observations which are worth noting. There are low numbered matrices which belong to second and even third pressings (in these cases the record companies gave similar numbers to the first press of a re-issue) you can normally identify these by, examining the labels which are often different in texture and/or design, and by checking the weight of the record as the earlier pressings were normally heavier. Sometimes different symbols were used in the matrices; these may indicate an earlier pressing, a contract pressing or just simply a change of format. For example some records have A61 & B61 others A // 1 & B // 1 others A-1 & B-1 and so on. In these cases the mother and stamper references can help with establishing the proximity of an individual record to the original recording – each different record company had their own coding system, some using letters from words to indicate numbers, others just using numbers. Better known examples include GRAMOPHLTD & BUCKINGHAM – used by EMI and DECCA respectively. Occasionally there are high numbers on first pressings, but this is unusual. Other points to note are the manufacturer of the ‘cover’ or ‘outer sleeve’ and various characteristics or design variants. The ‘inner sleeve’ or ‘bag’ can also be an indicator. However it is not wise to rely on details beyond the matrices and labels as the covers and sleeves can easily be interchanged. ‘Made Up’, Swapped’ or ‘Doctored’ sets are not uncommon, particularly with high value albums which have inserts and special text, so the best advice is to try and make sure that everything matches the criteria thus eliminating most of the risk (a good look at the photographs on the listing, if they are of the actual item offered as they are on all of my listings, is always advisable – hopefully the sellers will also include the ‘zoom’ and ‘enlarge’ photograph facility which only costs pennies to include and it remains a mystery to me as to why many avoid this service?). As a general rule I suggest that you don’t pay hundred’s or thousands of pounds unless you are buying from a reliable source who provide you with comprehensive information and have a clearly stated ‘Returns Policy’ - or unless you’ve got money to throw away (and in that case there are any number of far more deserving charities)

Audio reproduction on vinyl: In my experience there is always an element of surface or background sound with audio reproduction on vinyl, even when new - very hard to imagine how there could not be when two solid surfaces come into contact with each other and are then amplified! In my opinion anybody who claims there is no surface sound, or ‘silence’, is hard of hearing, has not turned the amplifier on, or is using very poor quality audio equipment. Almost all used vinyl has at least light surface scratches which are always visible when viewed under a bright halogen light - which is what I use for inspection. So if you are uncomfortable with a bit of light crackling it’s probably best not to buy vinyl. In my opinion the light surface sound is more than compensated for by the clarity and ‘reality’ of the overall sound reproduction. I listen carefully to every album I list, before listing it for sale.

Please Note: All of this comment contained in this listing is subjective, it is based only on my opinion and your expectations may not necessarily correspond with my standards. If you receive an album from me and you have some differences please remember to use reasonable communication as a first option. I have a comprehensive non confrontational ‘Returns Policy’ which is clearly set out below and providing there is no abuse, or use the negative feedback system, I will always reimburse you in full for your direct costs if you return the album correctly.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

DESCRIPTIONS: Are given in good faith, but they are based on my opinion and standards.  Bidders should note that they offer at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information about the item before they enter the bidding process.  Please ask questions before you become involved with the auction, NOT afterwards! Where I list sizes/dimensions they are either as stated on the item/label by the supplier/manufacturer or reasonably accurately hand tape measured; however, they are not necessarily precise, should be taken as approximate and not relied upon where absolute precision is required. This clause does not in any way affect your rights under the terms of my ‘Returns Policy’, it is stated to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to both parties.

INFORMATION: Whilst I take care to try and provide accurate information on the original listing it is possible that new information may become available to me afterwards. I therefore strongly recommend that all bidders read any revisions and the ongoing questions / answers section of the listing before bidding as they may contain updated information which could affect your valuation of the item(s). In the event that new information is published, after the time you have become the high bidder, which adversely affects your valuation of the item(s) and you wish to withdraw from the bidding process please email your request and I will use the cancel bid option with no ongoing liability to any of the parties involved in the auction.

PHOTOGRAPHS: All photographs contained within this listing show the actual item (s) offered – they are not catalogue, archive or library photographs.  Furthermore they are direct images and not re-touched or modified in any way. I try to make good and comprehensive use of images on the listing in order to give the prospective bidder the best opportunity to evaluate the item(s); however it is possible that in some circumstances the photographs can enhance the appearance of the item(s) due to compression so please take this into account before bidding and do not hesitate to ask for more images or information which I am happy to send by attachment to email. This is particularly recommended with overseas buyers where returns are often not a viable option.  

OVERSEAS BUYERS WELCOME: I am pleased to deal with buyers from anywhere in the world. My method of LP packaging reduces the risk to your valuable vinyls & covers in transit. Makes no sense to me to buy something important and then play a ‘high risk of damage game’ when having it shipped around the world – I hope you feel the same. I will only dispatch using a fully insured and Signed-for delivery service.

PACKING & POSTAGE:  Vinyl’s are removed from covers and placed in separate transit sleeves. All components are then placed side by side in a polythene inner for extra safety and water resistance and then secured between two corrugated card stiffeners. I use Heavy Duty Mailers Specifically Designed for Vinyl Albums, which provide excellent security and protection, in conjunction with my own Ultra Safe reinforced sealing and packaging method. Internally I use 2 of the highest grade ‘B’ flute corrugated card stiffeners to prevent bending, deformation or edge/corner creasing. Packing & postage prices are NOT negotiable on items dispatched individually or separately. However, if you are a similar time multiple buyer where all items purchased are being sent to the same address and they can be combined safely, you can ask for a discounted quotation before bidding. I will only dispatch using a fully insured and Signed-for delivery service.

Postal insurance is subject to Royal Mail Standard Terms & Conditions. Quotations for other insurance such as premiums to cover non-standard risks or consequential losses are available on request.

PAYMENT: For Buyers WITHIN the UK: PayPal, or Pound sterling cheques / money orders, with minimum 7 days to clear before despatch.

PAYMENT: For Buyers OUTSIDE of the UK: Payments by PayPal only please.

CANCELLATION: The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid, entirely at his discretion and without giving prior notice, in the following circumstances:

They have reason to believe that the bidder has not complied with the terms of their offer as set out on the listing.

The bidder’s feedback is of such limited quantity that it cannot be regarded as reliable.

The bidder’s feedback is of dubious quality and/or gives the seller any indication or reason to doubt the credibility of the bid.

MY FEEDBACK POLICY: I leave feedback for buyers after they inform me that they have received the item(s) and have left me their feedback. As I have a clearly stated Returns Policy, which does not expose the buyer to any direct loss whatsoever, I see no reason for either side to indulge in negative feedback. Providing the buyer does not engage in threats, abuse or use of negative feedback I will resolve any problem in a fair and reasonable way. If you have a problem or complaint about any transaction you have made with me contact me on somemightsell_e@btinternet.com and we will find a solution that is acceptable to you.

SUPERSIZED PHOTOGRAPHS: I have super-sized the photographs above to provide prospective bidders with the best opportunity to make their valuation before entering the bidding process, please just click on the ‘Zoom or Enlarge’ and arrows to use this facility. Sometimes due to reflection these images can appear slightly distorted, ‘graining’ can appear and dust particles can be exaggerated by the light - in reality there are no defects of this kind.