The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

This early pressing is in superb condition and plays with immaculate audio and the vinyl has no spindle wear.  An absolute stunner!  It has the black Columbia labels with silver text and two EMI logos.  Non-flipback cover also.

SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // RL 1 / AG 2 3

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (final track Ex+)

The audio on S2 is Near Mint

The laminated cover is Ex almost Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

This is an immaculate looking vinyl with only a couple of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  To say it retains a glossy sheen is an understatement!  It appears hardly played, if at all, and looks practically 'as new' with no spindle wear whatsoever.  This is quite simply visually stunning with audio to match.  Needless to say there are no scratches.

Play grading  

With no lead in static 'Astronomy Domine' begins with sublime quality and this prevails throughout the entire track.  The clarity is astonishingly good for such an early pressing.  There are no clicks or pops and not a trace of crackle either, a stunning version.  'Lucifer Sam' continues in the same fashion and the depth of the sound is again of the highest order.  I am blown away by the quality on offer here!  'Matilda Mother' is another classic example of the Near Mint audio.  No interference at all and even the long fade out plays with no 'background'.  Immaculate!  The remaining tracks impress to the same standard.  A minimal amount of distortion on the vocal here and there but this is common with the early pressings and it does not detract from the superb quality.  The many quiet sections on 'Pow R. Toc H' pay testament to how well this vinyl has been preserved, they play with supreme clarity again.  A little more distortion on the final track 'Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk' and a little crackle literally at the end but another wonderful listen nonetheless.

Again there is hardly any lead in static to S2 and 'Interstellar Overdrive' then plays with incredible power and definition.  This is without doubt one of 'cleanest' versions I have ever heard on such an early pressing, there is no interference, just pure audio heaven from start to finish.!  The crescendo ending plays with such stunning power and clarity it is incredible to think this record is nigh on 50 years old.  The rest of the side plays in impeccable style and 'The Gnome' in particular is Mint- without a doubt.  'Chapter 24' is not far off this pinnacle but does have a little distortion on the vocal again.  However, it could be argued this does not even warrant a mention as this is just how this album was recorded and is not an audio imperfection.  It still plays with wonderful clarity.  I may be repeating myself but 'The Scarecrow' is another superb listen.  Not one single click or pop, in fact no intrusive 'background' whatsoever.  The fade out is stunning.  'Bike' plays with amazing clarity once more and provides a suitably impressive ending to this classic album.

In summary this early stereo pressing is a final upgrade, archive copy in my opinion.  Judging by the quality of the audio and the lack of spindle wear it has perhaps only ever been played once, twice maybe never!  With not a single click or pop during playback this ranks as probably the best 1/1 black/silver pressing I have heard and there is near complete silence between every track also.  A fabulous listen from beginning to end.

The Cover

The laminated G&L cover is in lovely condition with very little shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb order with only a couple of small creases on the latter.  The corners of the spine are also in fantastic shape and the right hand ones only have a minimal amount of corner wear.  The opening edge has no obvious handling wear and remains in supreme condition.  The laminate has no splits or lifting, just a few very small creases around the edges.  The white back cover is very clean overall with minor ringwear and the faintest of marking towards the top although hardly noticeable.  A superb example overall.

Inner sleeve

The plain white inner has no tears just some light creasing here and there.

The labels

They are both in superb condition with no marks or writing on them and no spindle wear either.  They are in immaculate shape and the vinyl has been very well cared for and only lightly played.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

SCX 6157 // YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // RL 1 / AG 2 3

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY EXTRA INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

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7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

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7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE IT HAS BEEN LEFT FOR ME. THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

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