SYD BARRETT: The Madcap Laughs, Harvest SHVL 765 (1970) 1st Press Pink Floyd Ex

	£		127
	$		168

I am selling my very early copy of Syd Barrett’s much sought-after first LP “The Madcap Laughs”, which I have owned from new. I now have all the tracks streamed so have decided to let a collector have the benefit of this lovely vinyl example.

True first pressings of The Madcap laughs are extremely hard to find because only a very small quantity was pressed. Most of the copies auctioned as 'first pressings' are inaccurately described.

A true first pressing - as my copy is - has no EMI logo on the labels, and also shows the original label credit for 'Golden Hair' on Side 2 ("Barrett except + Joyce") which was changed almost immediately to "Barrett + Joyce". It is believed that only 1000 copies were made of this true first pressing with the original label credit.

As stated - most other so-called 'first-pressings' of Syd’s first LP being offered for sale as first pressings are NOT correctly described - and I’m sure you will not find a better true original pressing of “The Madcap Laughs” in as fine condition as this.

This copy shows the 1st press matrix numbers, 1st mothers and early stampers as follows:

Side 1: SHVL 765 A-2G          1       G

Side 2: SHVL 765 B-2G          1       G

Vinyl: The vinyl looks superb and has retained its original high sheen. It has been very well looked after and stored, and only lightly played. On audition (I have a high-end Roksan system) it sounds superb with nothing to report.  This is a rare, near-mint example and as stated it will be very difficult (if at all possible) to find a true first pressing which plays better than my copy.

Both labels look excellent+ with no marks or damage, no writing or stickers and only very light spindle marking, confirming that this disc has been rarely played.

Sleeve: The sleeve is very clean with virtually nil damage, writing or stickers. The upper edge of the rear gatefold has a slight abrasion split but overall shows only light signs of use.

There are some very minor creases at the edges and spine and slight shaping around the disk. Only minor wear is present at the very corners of the sleeve.

The cover spine is solid and firm with a few small laminate creases/cracks but the text is undamaged and 100% readable. It is a highly presentable copy of this very rare LP.

The inner sleeve is original and plain - the original release of this LP pre-dates the inclusion of a ‘Harvest’ inner sleeve, these being fitted to later issues. There is a little handwriting - just the Side 1 and Side 2 duration timings - on a corner of the inner sleeve.

This is a superb true first-pressing example of “The Madcap Laughs” and it would be extremely hard to find a better copy.

All my LPs (a couple of thousand) are stored properly at room temperature in a smoke, pet and brat-free home. I pride myself on my 100% eBay feedback and the fact that I can still enjoy all my LPs (many purchased from the mid-Sixties onward) in excellent audio condition.

Payment is by PayPal, (cleared) cheque, postal orders or cash on collection (I’m in north Birmingham B24). Please pay within 5 days of the auction end. Auction price plus carriage costs must be agreed and paid in full prior to dispatch.

Collection from me in north Birmingham B24 (Jn. 6 of the M6) is possible, or I will arrange carriage. it will be mailed carefully in a substantial cardboard mailer with disc and sleeve protection properly applied.

Postal costs for a non-UK destination will exceed the standard UK inland cost that is cited on this auction; applicable charges must be agreed and paid at auction end, when I will cost and invoice the buyer for payment prior to dispatch.

Happy Bidding!

Track Listings:

Side 1:

1. Terrapin

2. No Good Trying

3. Love You

4. No Man's Land

5. Dark Globe

6. Here I Go

Side 2:

7. Octopus

8. Golden Hair

9. Long Gone

10. She Took A Long Cold Look

11. Feel

12. If It's In You

13. Late Night

Career Snapshot:

Roger Keith 'Syd' Barrett (1946-2006) was the original front man and songwriter for Pink Floyd. Widely seen as a musical genius, he was an undisputed pioneer of the sixties underground psychedelic scene, and remains a source of unrelenting fascination for music journalists and fans alike.

Despite spending little more than two years with Pink Floyd, Syd's song writing was integral to the group's experimental sound - their works distanced them from the American-inspired Rhythm and Blues favoured by many of their contemporaries.

When, in 2001, Pink Floyd released Echoes, The Best of Pink Floyd, Syd had written, or contributed to, over a fifth of the tracks. Similarly, Syd's solo recordings, at times whimsical and poignant, at times hypnotic and sparse, have been cited as influential by musicians as diverse as David Bowie, Michael Stipe, Robyn Hitchcock, and Graham Coxon - yet they comprise only two albums and a collection of outtakes recorded between 1969 and 1970.