PINK FLOYD Piper at the Gates of Dawn GENUINE 1st PRESS

	£		515
	$		682

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: PINK FLOYD

Album Title: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.

Producer(s): Norman Smith.

A Special Note about this Album and its Rarity: Original copies of this psych masterpiece are rare and stereo examples are much rarer than the mono version. In 1967 the mono format was still the most popular with only a small percentage of record buyers owning stereo equipment. Especially so for younger collectors who were the more likely to buy this album when first released. The mixes on both albums are very different and both are essential – I have no preference for either – both are truly astonishing. Another factor is condition: so many copies are now rendered unplayable due to the amount of times they were actually played. Often on unworthy equipment that tracked heavily or subjected to chipped or worn stylus. A sad fact is, few ever changed them as often as they should have done and many blunt stubs were used to play these vintage classics. This album does not tolerate needle abuse well and few will be found that play with high quality sound these days. What makes this copy on offer extra special is the matrixes, mother and stampers – indeed I regard this as one of the rarest albums I have ever been privileged to own, hold and play (and now offer). This has the matrixes -1 / -1 and the mega rare 1 G / 1 G mothers and stampers making it within the first 300 ever pressed. The earliest pressing ever to make it into the shops. I have tried to photograph the ultra rare prized stamper ‘G’ in close-up – look again because you will not see it often and rarely on such a clean copy. For Floyd collectors, this is Holy Grail of early cut ‘Pipers’. The absolute ultimate first pressing – the Floyd legend started here. This came from a supreme collection of early pressings and there will more major rarities to follow soon – I simply don’t wish to flood the market with classics all at once – they are to be savoured not mass-marketed. The sounds embedded into these hardly used vintage grooves took psychedelia and space-rock into a new genre of music and introduced the world to Syd Barrett. The crazy diamond’s masterwork. If you have not experienced ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ on a Columbia first pressing, well you probably haven’t really experienced it at all. It has sounds and details that are simply missing from the CD versions. It has depth, power and intricate details that Norman Smith the producer wanted the listener to hear and are unique to the original analogue recording. Of the 300 ultimate first pressings made with the 1 G / 1 G mothers and stampers, how many will still survive in near top playing conditions? Well I cannot answer that of course, but logic tells me only a small percentage. We have all seen this album in mono and stereo trashed and almost written-off for the more discerning collector. All evidence suggests this record has been played very few times. The labels are in supreme condition with few spindle marks at all, clean playing surfaces with only small few light surface marks and NO penetrating scratches - in fact this beautifully preserved gem plays through with NO pops or clicks at all and tracks effortlessly – incredible but true. The owner only bought his record in stereo when there was a choice and this one has never been subjected to mono stylii or damaged pick-ups. The cover is gorgeous: apart from one mild crease on the bottom edge, there is little else to fault. This correctly has NO reference to File Under Popular: Pop Groups on the back - such covers were early second printings. Even the inner sleeve which includes the ‘Patents Applied for’ text is superb. This Floyd space-psych masterpiece goes beyond rare, few 1 G / 1 G first pressings will ever get seen better or be offered and this really is an opportunity not to be missed.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Astronomy Dominé; Lucifer Sam; Matilda Mother; Flaming; Pow R. Toc H. Take Up Thy Stethoscope and Walk.

Side 2: Intersellar Overdrive; The Gnome; Chapter 24; The Scarecrow; Bike.

Label/Format: Columbia - turquoise, black and silver format. Side one has the thick cut embossed ‘K T’ tax codes which are both pristine and unchipped and without even a hint of wear. (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: Both immaculate and truly beautiful condition: ultra clean, fresh and very attractive with only a couple or three ultra light and faint spindle traces and no wear around the hole area. The hole rims are little short of as made with no give at all and the record is still a very snug fit on my Linn spindle. Knowing the source of this record, I would think it has been played no more than two or three times

Country of Manufacture: England.

Cat Number: SCX 6157.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 140 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Rarity: The album itself as a stereo first edition is rare. In very fine condition very rare. With early mothers and stampers ultra rare (1 R, 1 A, 1 M’s are still very early). With the 1 G / 1 G ultimate first pressing references, the most prized and sort-after example ever made and mega rare in superb condition.

Original Year of Release: 1967.

Matrix Nos: YAX 3419-1 / YAX 3420-1

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 G

Musicians: As listed on the back cover: Syd Barrett - lead guitar, vocals; Roger Waters - bass guitar, vocals; Rick Wright - organ, piano; Nicky Mason - drums.

Brief Artist & Album Info: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn was recorded during the spring of 1967, while The Beatles were at Abbey Road finishing Sgt Pepper, Pink Floyd were upstairs recording an album that would have a similarly immeasurable effect on the development of psychedelic rock. Its name taken from the famous children’s books The Wind in the Willows (one of Syd Barrett’s favourite books), this album was a child’s garden of acid, an album-length trip on the effects of LSD on a troubled mind. One of the first ‘head’ albums, it was rumoured that the tracks contained sounds - conversations, even - that one could only hear while tripping. Rumours of subliminal messages hidden in the songs. All very likely, this legendary album is as important now as it always was. The ultimate psychedelic space-ride to the stars and beyond from the incredible mind of a troubled man – a flawed genius that was Syd Barrett. This man gave the early Pink Floyd that wonderful unique sound and eerie spaciness. The era when Richard Wright’s wonderful keyboard skills were fully utilised and blended with Mason’s powerful percussion. The sheer chaos and drama of ‘Interstellar Overdrive’ has to be heard on an original vinyl record to be fully appreciated with its hidden depths and details. Each individual instrumental is clearly heard and not just a swathe of mixed sound – it’s an incredibly complex piece. Right from the opening sounds of those mysterious voices on ‘Astronomy Domine’, the tone is set as the ‘ship’ passes distinct planets and their moons. “Jupiter and Saturn, Oberon Miranda and Titania, Neptune Titan, Stars can frighten… youuuuuuuuu”. Incredible stereo separation and imagery, this really will get the senses reeling – take up thy stethoscope and walk… and experience the ultimate first pressing – this will be one of the rarest opportunites you will get from a copy in this condition. This must be regarded as possibly the rarest UK officially issued Pink Floyd album ever – 1 G / 1 G – try to find another.

Cover Grade and Format: I simply cannot grade this wonderful original cover less than Mint(-). The minus being a mild crease on the bottom edge withi a small laminate blister. There is little else to fault. It’s a single format with a laminated front. The laminate wraps around the closed edges on to three large rear flipbacks. It has the correct SCX 6157 stereo Cat No and it was printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day & Co Ltd. This has the correct top right hand back corner area with NO ‘File Under’ text, these came slightly later when reprinted.

Cover Front: Age-defying and looking magnificent, providing near full justice to one of rock’s most famous covers. The laminate is clean, fresh, clear and very shiny with barely any traces whatsoever of dulling or friction rubs. Just the one crease of real note, as stated on the bottom edge towards the right. Only fairly small and light and there is the only small laminate lift as a mild blister. All the rest is fully adhered and any other creases are ultra small and faint and barely even register. There are very few marks, just ultra fine surface traces under angled light. When viewed normally, full-on, this cover looks almost perfect and for one over 40-years-old now, it’s little short. Again with angled viewing, a faint record rim mark can just be seen near the top edge, but being honest, how many will not have that as the very least? The artwork simply looks magnificent, clean with genuine freshness with bright vivid colours – the young original Floyd at their psychedelic best. Always worthy of mention: the laminate ends slightly short on the right opening edge. The fine exposed strip is ultra clean and undamaged or faded. No chipping or grime-line formation and a great indicator of NO trimming for cosmetic improvements. The clarity of the laminate allows maximum pleasure from one of the most famous covers of its era and of all time.

Cover Back: If the front is magnificent, the back is simply incredible. The main back panel is unprotected and matt finished with a thick heavy record inside all these years – a sure-fire recipe for rubbing, ringwear and grubbiness. This beauty has practically none. One tiny rub area (being almost ridiculous critical) but nothing else. Ultra clean with no tone spots, grubbiness or even handling marks. This almost beggars belief, clearly this has been very carefully preserved and I can only tip-my-hat to the original owner. The three enormous flipbacks are in beautiful condition too with no damage and almost devoid of any wear. Clean and still very white and even here, the laminate retains a gleaming shine. Just a very few fine surface creases but almost devoid of any end burring and no grime-line formation. We all know how these large flipbacks can get caught and torn in rack storage but here it simply has not happened. A magnificent back to complement a wonderful front. All this and a genuine first-pressed record inside – it hardly gets much better than this.

Top Edge: Practically unworn and very smooth to the fingertip.

Bottom Edge: As above.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear and no feathering. Ultra mild thickening if being overly critical when viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Practically perfect bar one very slight and small surface graze. This being white means it barely even shows, it can be felt with the fingertip or I probably may have missed it – a tiny minor blemish. Solid, straight, uncompressed and square, the ends are tapered in manufacture. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid and very solid (and still shiny) laminate.

Corners: A couple of microscopic tip rubs only and all retain superb pointed definition.

Cover Summary: A very strong all round example of this very famous, genuine original, 1967 psych cover cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. One that sets the bar very high and puts down the gauntlet to be beaten. This beautiful item should please most-all collectors.

The Inner: Mint(-) and includes the ‘Patents applied for’ text. Again the genuine original that came with this record from new. A stunning example and if proof were ever needed, clear the record has hardly made the trip out. This is the black and white version, it was not lined. So surprisingly, all edges are unsplit or torn and it has hardly any significant creases either. As fresh and clean as the cover, and correctly, the most recent Beatles album to be promoted was the 1966 ‘Revolver’ title. Unmarked, undarkened with no glue browning on the seams. This inner does the album proud.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX++ to practically Mint(-) and a beautiful example. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. Side one has a couple of very fine hairlines (no sound of course) and a few ultra fine and faint surface traces under light. Again how many records this great age won’t have? Merely superficial removal traces or faint transit scuffs (almost as light as possible). Remember records had to be handled in manufacture and transported to retailers. It has NO scratches or penetrating marks at all and has clearly not suffered any inferior stylus abuse. This is a rare example of this classic that has hardly been played, in-line with most all from this particular collection. Also worthy of note, just think of the typical types who bought this album when first issued, most were not hi-fi connoisseurs - mostly ‘experimental’ teenagers with mono record players that reitterate why so few clean copies can be found. Visually this a super record that should please most-all collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This ultimate Floyd rarity plays up to its high visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is astonishing with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Reference standard sounds by anyone’s standards, this record simply brings out all those hidden details to an astonishing degree. A wonderful record that almost takes you into the studio with the band with lovely separation, imagery and details – this has to be heard. All the psych guitar sounds and effects are fully focused and sharp with minimal unwanted sounds. The faintest traces of (ultra brief) crackle (too strong a word) were just detected on the utmost intense part but I truly feel that lies in the pressing. I have yet to hear any copy with no traces at all. Here it’s so slight and minor, most would not even mention it. Remember too what I am playing this record on. The LP12–Naim–B&W combination is a ruthlessly revealing system and little escapes its clinical excellence. The run-in grooves are ultra quiet to silent as are the joining grooves. Even over forty years since issue, this groundbreaking British space-psych album never fails to impress and those eerie hidden messages at the very start still baffle and bend the mind. Normally I will listen to an album while typing out one I have previously play-graded. With this album, it proved impossible. I found myself stopping and starting and concentration was lost as the brilliance of this album got lodged into my mind. I stopped and started the album again to glean maximum pleasure from what’s on offer. I have rarely been more tempted to keep an album since becoming an Ebay seller. I have had this here for some time and offering this was more than difficult. But as a dealer one must not become too attached or I would never offer anything. Any surface sounds barely even register and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing for a highly complex album that was skillfully produced by Norman Smith. Sounding very different in stereo, personally I prefer the psych sound in the two channel format but the mono version is truly essential as well (I have a beauty coming soon). Even the bizarre psych sounds on the incredibly complex ‘Bike’ were pin-sharp with no break-up or clipping. I have heard clean looking copies of this on the same label but fail to impress when played. Groovewear and distortions cannot be seen – only heard – and this record takes no prisoners when it comes to needle abuse. Just one play with a chipped or worn stylus and the damage is done. Few copies will match or outperform this ultimate first pressing significantly I feel sure – it’s not quite pristine perfect – but it comes mighty close. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record – some records remain in my memory long after they have gone and this without any doubt will do just that. The odd minor sound trace yes, but I am realistic enough to know few copies will ever sound better than this and this copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better, and a copy with the prized 1 G / 1 G mothers and stampers is possibly unlikely to ever be. I have no doubts whatsoever that this record, inner or cover have not seen daylight for decades. The highest recommendation is mandatory for this one – put simply as possible – one of the greatest albums of all-time, a work of genius from one of rock’s greatest minds. Just think, this record was actually purchased when the man was still in the band. Do not lose this one, it could be an age before another one like this is made available again.

End Piece: It would be difficult not getting excited about a record like this. How often do major rarities show up only to be trashed or damaged in some way? This was owned by a connoisseur collector who bought the earliest, rarest and most unusual albums of their era. More will follow soon. For those seeking the ultimate first pressed copy of this record, well the wait could now be over. Unless the impossible task of finding a copy as ‘brand new’ is non-negotiable, this copy will be cherished by just about all collectors I feel. A 1 G / 1 G first that has more than just ‘survived’, it looks and plays superbly. For Floyd fans and collectors of the classics, this really is the Holy Grail. Syd Barrett himself would have enjoyed listening to this.

Postage on this album is FREE to anywhere in the world including full insurance.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within 48 hours maximum. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£39).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.