TEA & SYMPHONY - JO SAGO holy grail 1970 1st Dutch press/UK g/fold SHVL 785

	£		326
	$		431

TEA AND SYMPHONY - JO SAGO

An incredibly rare very first Dutch vinyl LP pressing, complete with UK gatefold outer sleeve as when first purchased, of this psych/folk classic on the coveted UK HARVEST label, SHVL 7855

 Matrix Numbers :

  Side 1 SHVL 785 A-1 with stampers "1 3" and "1" at 2 o'clock and 5 o'clock respectively

   Side 2 SHVL 785 B-1 with stampers "1 3" and "1" at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock respectively

The appearance of the vinyl is truly excellent+. Each side of the vinyl has retained an impressive and still beautifully lacquered sheen and it's only under a bright light that just a few very, very light wispy hairlines come into view, and even then these are minimal - nothing really. It seems that this record has not been played many times at all.

Each label is excellent+. All writing remains perfectly defined, as does the smooth surface and colouring. Not even the usual one or two faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole - prefect!

The iconic Garrod & Lofthouse non-laminated outer sleeve is excellent. The top and bottom edges remain well defined with barely any scuffing at all, and similarly for each corner which remains well defined with just the faintest of a little rubbing. There are 7 faint 1-2cm creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on the front cover (you have to hold the gatefold at the right angle and in a bright light to properly identify them) one of which impinges upon the spine to coincide slightly with the letter "n" - see photo. And there are 3 small "nicks" elsewhere on the spine - again, very minor. The reverse of the gatefold is excellent+ with just a couple of very small surface abrasions - really nothing to speak of, and the inside of the gatefold is in similar condition also. I'm struggling to find any significant faults/blemishes at all - remarkable for such a fragile, 47 year old antiquity!

Finally, the quality of the audio is an overall excellent+. Beautiful tone and clarity throughout, even on the higher frequencies and at high volume and with absolutely no distortion either. I can't imagine that the sound quality was any better on the day this record was purchased. Brilliant!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

JO SAGO - a play on music :

Jef Daw (A) Miniature (b) Nyada (c) Journey (d) Brother

(e) Africa Paprika (f) Fairground Suite

(g) Desperate Oil (h) Umbilical Bill (i) Goodnight

Side 2 :

1. TRY YOUR LUCK

2. YOURSELF

3. GREEN FINGERED - REDHANDED

4. SEASONS TURN TO ONE

5. VIEW TO THE SKY

6. THE NORTIHORTICULTURALIST

7. DANGLING

Comes in the original EMI/Harvest inner sleeve with photos and titles of Harvest albums of that same era - no tears or splits, just some minor creasing, and still fully functional. In fact, the inner sleeve is highly collectable in it's own right!

In summary, a truly excellent (at least) and impressive early Dutch vinyl pressing with original UK gatefold of this cult album, one of the most

revered and sought after records of this era. And if you thought the UK copy was rare just try and find a copy of this one!!

 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 listings for more 50's, 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

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 over the years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boots, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but now I am retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. 

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 cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in removing the record from the outer sleeve in order to 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 Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for  : UK £5.00, continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £14. 

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

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines :

Mint

Description: The record 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

Description: 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

Description: 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

Description: 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, discoloration, etc.

Fair 

Description: 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 will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

Poor

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

Bad

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