Pink Floyd, Piper at The Gates of Dawn * UK 1st PRESS * MONO * EARLY STAMPERS *

	£		671
	$		889

Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn
I am pleased to offer for sale this exceptional 'day of release' copy of Pink Floyd's debut album: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
As is shown below, the album features all the signs of a true UK first pressing. In any audio format this is rare, but to find a MONO copy such as this for sale in such fantastic condition is not often seen! 
Background:
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is widely recognised as a seminal piece of music in the UK's burgeoning psychedelic scene of the 1960s and would influence musicians both sides of the Atlantic. The album is the only Floyd record to be produced entirely under the leadership of Syd Barrett and which does not feature any input from David Gilmour.
EMI signed The Pink Floyd in January of 1967 following several years of growing success in London's underground music scene. The band gained notoriety for, amongst other things, coupling psychedelic light shows with the improvisational lead guitar of Syd Barrett. Unsure how this would translate onto an album in the recording studio, EMI gave the band free rein to record whatever they wanted. The result is an album that fuses whimsical poetic verse, heard in 'Bike', with mammoth guitar solos such as those in 'Interstellar Overdrive'. 

Album Details:
Serial number: SX 6157
Matrix number: XAX 3419 - 2 / XAX 3420 - 1
Mother & stamper codes: 1 O / 1 O
Vinyl Weight: 146g 
The matrix numbers inform us that the vinyl is a UK MONO first pressing. The mother & stampers codes suggest that the record was in the first 1500 or so to be pressed. Over time, pressing plates degrade and the audio reproduction of records produced from them deteriorates. However, an album produced as early on in the production cycle as this features a clarity of reproduction that is very difficult to improve upon. Take a listen yourself below!
The labels are the first variant with blue Columbia logo and Sans Serif Font. 
The sleeve is the first variant identifiable by the absence of the text "File under Popular: POP GROUPS" to the top right hand corner of the rear. Later variants had this text.
Completing the album is the original 'EMI advertising' inner sleeve. 

Condition:
The condition report provided below is provided as a guide only. I include high-quality, comprehensive photographs as well as a complete audio recording in my listings to enable you to make an informed decision on the condition of this record yourself. Please use a desktop PC/laptop and make use of the zoom function to inspect the photographs closely. 
Vinyl: EXCELLENT -
Labels: EXCELLENT -
The labels are bright, clean and without writing. Light spindle wear is evident to both sides.
Visual: VERY GOOD + 
The record retains deep-gloss playing surfaces. In bright daylight mildew residue is visible to both sides in addition to a number of light hairline marks. No feel-able surface marks are present.  
Sound Quality: EXCELLENT - 
Please use the eBay internet site to enjoy the audio clips. The eBay app does not facilitate playback.
Side 1: VERY GOOD +


Side 2: EXCELLENT 


As can be heard in the audio clips, the heavy weight mono pressing sounds fantastic. Side 1 has seen slightly more play than side 2 which comes through subtly in the audio. A couple of light pops can be heard during the lead-ins to both sides but they are quiet overall. Minimal static can be heard in between tracks. There are no obtrusive pops during songs, no skips and no sticks. A really strong example.

Sleeve: EXCELLENT
The sleeve looks superb! The front retains the original lustre and the cover art maintains bright colours. The reverse is remarkably clean. The flip-backs are clean and damage free. There is a short laminate crease that is noticeable to the top-right-hand corner of the front cover. The opening edges are without wear. The top and bottom edges are without wear. A really strong example. 
Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT -
The original inner sleeve is in great condition. It has a short seam-split to the bottom edge.
Additional Details:
Before the audio test, the vinyl was cleaned first by an Okki Nokki vacuum cleaner (using L'art du Son cleaning solution) and then an Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner.
After cleaning, the vinyl is housed inside a brand new mobile fidelity anti-static inner sleeve. 
The vinyl will be packaged outside of the sleeve, both of which are stored inside an archival quality polypropylene outer sleeve.
The record will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer.

Please see my other listings for more Floyd rarities.
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