RARE SXL 2167-9 Aida Karajan TAS Earliest WBG UK Decca 3LP red slipcase EX+NM/EX

	£		59
	$		78

Lovely copy of this first UK ED1 pressing Wideband groove label 3 LPs in slipcase, from 1960.  Rightly famous recording, TAS-listed (under the US London issue OSA-1313, but this is arguably better). Vinyls look NM and play NM, except for a short passage of background noise on side 4, altogether seems hardly played, slipcase EX. 

PLEASE NOTE - you are bidding on original 1950s vinyl - this will not have completely silent surfaces, even when in unplayed condition - but the sound and recording quality is generally excellent.  If you are looking for absolutely perfect blemish-free reproduction, please bear this in mind.

UK Decca 3 LP set SXL 2167-69, recorded by John Culshaw in the Sofiensaal, Vienna in September 1959, issued in stereo in January 1960 in UK. First UK issue, ED1 Wide band groove label "Original Recording" at 10 o'clock

"Automatic coupling": sides 1 & 6 on SXL 2167, 2 & 5 on SXL 2168, 3 & 4 on SXL 2169 Master codes:  ZAL 4545- 4E    ZAL 4546-2E     ZAL  4547-3E    ZAL  4548-3E    ZAL 4549-2E    ZAL 4550-3E (information on stampers/mothers, figures at 3 and 9 o'clock, can be supplied if required) 
Verdi Aida (complete opera) Sing by Renata Tebaldi, Giulietta Simionato, Carlo Bergonzi, Fernando Corena, etc with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Herbert von Karajan
155g vinyls all appear NM excellent gloss, flat, hardly any traces of use, just the lightest handling "whisps" and sleeve removal scuffs visible under bright light. Labels NM, maybe one or two few spindle trails visible on some sides. 

Fully play tested all six sides NM, except some short issues on side 4 (see below)  Superb atmospheric Decca 1950s stereo recording, wonderful soundstage, weighty and dramatic sound (great bass), and very good quiet surfaces, with surprisingly little background noise for this date of vinyl (just a few very quiet ticks occasionally).  No wear and no distortion (even on loudest soprano passages!), and it seems rarely played, it at all.   There are one or two very slight pressing "bumps" that create some very  faint bass "thumps", well behind the music.  On side 4, there are about 12 "scrunches" midway through the first band, in a loud choral passage but audible, and a bit later two shorter passages of 4 or 5 more (I think maybe pressing issues).  Overall it plays superby, wonderful listening experience; this one has the Wow factor!
Condition of red vinyl slipcase with booklet in transparent front pocket (very early issue, but I am not sure whether this was contemporary with the "front window" vinyl folder design) is EX (all intact, except for very small losses to bottom corners of front transparent pocket - see photos)
Original FFSS heavyweight (very early issue) matt paper poly-lined inner sleeves all EX+ (not the later, lighter weight issue with slightly glossy surfaces) Original heavyweight deluxe stiff paper 28 page libretto is EX (all intact, just slight wear along front right side where it is not protected by the pocket, otherwise as new).  Date code 11/59 = November 1959 printing

More photos available on request

I will combine postage for multiple items (even if ebay says I won't!) - please contact me if you are intending to bid on further LPs.

Payment please within seven days of auction ending; foreign bidders please wait for invoice. 

These LPs are all from my personal collection, which has grown much too large, and so I am thinning down, as I won't be able to listen to all of them in one lifetime.  I will be putting up for auction mainly classical LPs from the advent of LP in the early 1950s until the 1980s, but principally early stereos (late 50s and 60s), rare repertoire, and often first or early pressings.  There will also be some 1960s-80s rock, pop, blues and jazz

The description will state if the LPs have been fully auditioned (for rarer material, or when the visual grading is unclear),spot-auditioned, or if not otherwise stated, just visually graded.

For listening tests, stereo LPs are played either on LP12/Ekos/Dynavector Karat17D2 or Garrard 301/SME 3009/Denon DL103R, while monos are tested on Thorens TD160/SME 3009/Denon DL102, all through Quad QC24/Quad IIs/ESL63 system ).  Visual grading is under tungsten-halogen spotlight or direct sunlight (when available in England!)

A few LPs will have been professionally cleaned, and this will be stated in the description.  In my experience, most used LPs will benefit from professional cleaning which reduces background surface noise and often removes many of the pops and clicks, especially when these are due to debris, grease etc on the surface.

 

GRADING  (obviously slightly subjective and often dependent on original pressing and vinyl quality) - see description of each LP for more detail. 

Mint  Only used for sealed and unopened records (which may of course have pressing defects which are not visible until unsealed).

NM     Visually perfect, no scuffs or other marks, and plays without any problems, and barely audible surface noise (depending on date and pressing).  No spindle trails on label. Jacket (sleeve) or box will be almost perfect.

EX+    The occasional extremely light mark, fingernail scuffs etc that should not make any difference to the sound, possibly a few spindle trails on the label. Playback should be similar to NM.  Jacket or box may have very minor defects such as slight creases, or ring-wear but these will be not very noticeable

EX     Only one or two very minor marks that might give the occasional low level pop or click but no serious scuffs or scratches and the record should play without any distortion or serious problems. Surface noise may be slightly more apparent than NM but still not at all distracting.  Jacket or box may have some minor defects, slight distortions or edge knocks, small amount of discolouration or slight laminate peel etc.

 VG+    Minor surface marks that will give occasional background noise or a few repeating click and pops for a short period, or more noticeable surface noise, but on the whole the record should play without serious problems, and will still be enjoyable to listen to.  Sleeve or box may have noticeable defects (laminate peel or loss, small edge splits or repaired tears, staining or discoloration, slight sticker damage etc), but no major tears, losses, or bends.

VG:   There are marks that will cause some deterioration in the sound, such as repeating clicks from shallow scratches, or higher levels of background noise but this will not be serious enough to cause a major distraction to the listener.  Very slight inner groove or "side-end" distortion may be present on loud passages. Sleeve or box might have splits (repaired or otherwise), pronounced ring-wear, tears, sticker damage, writing,or noticeable creases or bends. 

Only very rare records will be offered for sale in less than VG condition; the description will give details of all the defects in such cases.

  

Postal charges:                      

Calculated by weight, including packaging

UK:  Royal Mail "signed-for" 1st class (insured up to £50)

up to 1kg (normally 1-3 LPs)                       £5.00    

up to 2kg (normally 4-7 LPs)                       £6.50

Over 2kg, Parcelforce Express 48 prices (insured up to £100):

Up to 5kg                                                       £13

Up to 10kg                                                     £16

Additional insurance can be purchased, please ask for a quote.

Europe signed and tracked postage (insured up to £50):

1 LP £12.00 

2 LP  £13.00

3 LP  £14.00

4 LP £15.00

5 LP £16.00

Rest of the World (except USA and Australia) signed, and tracked if available, air mail (insured up to £50):

1 LP  £16.50 

2 LP  £19.00

3 LP  £22.00

4 LP  £24.00

5 LP  £26.00

Tracked and signed-for postage to the USA and Australia has unfortunately recently become more expensive:

1 LP  £18.50 

2 LP  £21.50 

3 LP  £24.50 

4 LP  £27.50 

5 LP  £30.50 

 ·         Larger quantities, please ask for a quote. 

 ·         Boxed sets - the box generally adds the weight of one extra LP.  Please remember that earlier pressings will usually weigh more than later ones (some early mono LPs are more than 200g).

 ·         For all packages insurance is required and I can provide a quote for higher value packages (over £50).  I will always retain proof of postage.

 ·         LPs will be well packed, with extra stiffeners, and with the LP removed from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits.  High value items will be double-boxed.

 ·         Honest mistakes in grading can occur occasionally, so if the LP is not as described, please contact me within 14 days to arrange return and refund (buyer pays return postage)