TEA & SYMPHONY ASYLUM FOR THE MUSICALLY INSANE '69 UK Harvest SHVL 761 RARE PROG

	£		211
	$		279

TEA & SYMPHONY - AN ASYLUM FOR THE MUSICALLY INSANE

A nice, highly presentable copy of this very rare and highly sought after 1969 UK first pressing of this prog rock gem, on the UK Harvest label, STEREO, SHVL 761

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  SHVL 761 A - 3U with stampers "1" and "A" at 9 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

Side 2   SHVL 761 B - 3U with stampers "1" and "R" at 8.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively

In normal daylight the appearance of the vinyl is excellent (EX). Gleaming, completely flat and heavy duty vinyl with jet black lacquering and truly impressive, with the only visible mark being a very light, surface only 13cm pencil thin scuff which traverses the final 3 tracks on side 1 (and even this you have to tilt the vinyl at the right angle in normal daylight in order to notice it).  Closer scrutiny under a bright light does reveal a number of wispy hairlines and very light scuff lines on each side of the vinyl, but there is nothing that is either "feelable" or obviously below the surface, though on track 2 on side 1 I did notice x8 very light clicks and close inspection revealed a very small mark which is the obvious cause even though I could not feel it. Taking all of this into account I would grade the overall condition of the vinyl as very good plus (VG+).

The labels are pristine. Beautiful labels with all writing, all colouring, all art work, and the iconic Harvest logo perfectly intact. If you look closely at each label it is just possible to identify a couple of very, very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole. Brilliant!

The outside laminated and brilliant Peter Thaine designed gatefold sleeve is very good plus (VG+). Such an iconic and unique design sleeve, with the top and bottom edges remaining nice and firm and the only scuffing being a 1cm light scuff on each of the top and bottom back edges. The corners are nicely defined right angles still, with just a little scuffing on each. There are x6 1-2cm horizontal laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on the front side, and one of these creases does penetrate as far as the cardboard and impinges upon the spine sufficiently to make the spine quite easily "bendable" at that point (see photo). This is the only non-minor blemish - not a disaster by any stretch of the imagination but if it were not for this crease I would have no hesitation in grading the overall condition of the outer sleeve as excellent. There are a further x3 small laminate creases on the reverse side adjacent and perpendicular to the spine, and on the inside of the gatefold just a few minor marks/abrasions but nothing to detract from the overall appearance of the photos, colouring, art work, and sleeve text all of which remain in great condition. Overall a very good plus (VG+) condition grading.

Finally, the quality of the audio is very good plus (VG+). No nasty clicks, no skips, no repeats, no jumps, and just some minor occasional/intermittent background crackle at the beginning and end of each side and during some of the quieter moments - I stress that this background crackle is minor, and though at times just noticeable (a little bit more so during the first half of side 1), is never sufficiently intrusive to significantly impact upon the overall audio quality which makes this record an exciting, enjoyable, interesting, and unpredictable listen from start to finish! I also notice x8 very light clicks on track 2, side 1 and x2 very light clicks on track 2, side 2 - again, only minor and not sufficient to significantly impact upon the overall sound quality. There is some prog rock, some folk, some psych...a bit of everything! No wonder this record is so highly sought after with first pressings such as this selling in extremely low numbers when first released way back in 1969 and now seldom seen. 

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. ARMCHAIR THEATRE

2. FEEL HOW SO COOL THE WIND

3. SOMETIME

4. MAYBE

5. THE COME ON

Side 2 :

1. TERROR IN MY SOUL

2. TRAVELLING SHOES

3. WINTER

4. NOTHING WILL COME OF NOTHING

Comes with original excellent condition Harvest/EMI advertising inner sleeve with no tears or splits, no fraying and no unwanted writing - remaining 100% functional with just a little very mild age discolouration and some light surface creasing.  Note that I always post the vinyl (each one in this case) in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a solid very good (I would say very good "plus" but closer to "very good" than "excellent") of this very rare and highly sought after 1969 UK 1st pressing prog rock gem - highly presentable and playable, worthy of gracing any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value..

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £5.00, Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for; continental Europe £11 and Rest of the World £15, Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for. 

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler