THE GODS - TO SAMUEL A SON UK 1970 super rare UK 1st press Columbia SCX 6372

	£		91
	$		121

THE GODS - TO SAMUEL A SON

1970 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on boxed/silver Columbia, SCX 6372

Matrix Numbers : Side 1  YAX 3954 - 2, stampers 1, G;  Side 2  YAX 3955 - 2, stampers 1, G

Sought after very first pressing (note the coveted "G" mother stampers), classic prog/psychedelic - one of the most underrated albums...EVER!

Both sides of the thick, heavy duty and completely flat vinyl have retained much of their original sheen and have a very good (bordering on excellent)  appearance in normal daylight with just a couple of reasonably obvious surface hairlines. Under a bright light and tilted at the right angle it is clear that there are a good number of surface hairlines, however, and a few light, small surface scuffs. There is nothing "feelable" or that is obviously beneath the surface, however, but judging by the number of hairlines it's fair to say that this record has had it's fair number of plays but as with late 60's/early 70's thick, heavy duty vinyl of this type it's equally fair to say that there's still a lot of plays left in this particular slab of vinyl. I love this album! As the album notes say : "an epic in music", "Brilliant excursions in sound and melody".

The quality of the audio is very good+. There are no skips or loud "pops" and just 4 mild "clicks" towards the end of the first track on side 2 and a further 2 mild clicks right at the end of side 2, but there is some minimal background crackle, only really noticeable at the beginning of each side, between tracks and during the few quiet passages that do exist, and even then the crackle is so background that it doesn't spoil the listening experience. Overall an excellent listen - put it on the turntable, turn up the volume and enjoy. Even though not in "near mint" or even excellent condition, in my opinion the audio quality is still superior to that of a re-mastered digital CD where the extra detail is simply obliterated during the compression process.

The flipback, laminated front side outer sleeve is in good condition only. There is ring wear, there is scuffing and rubbing (mostly on the bottom edge), there is significant rubbing on the corners, and the reverse side comes across as being aged with some grubbiness about it. The reverse side flipbacks are still functional, however, the front photo still looks good, and there is no unwanted writing. A well aged and well used cover.

  Each label is very good. As expected there are some mild spindle traces, and also a couple of nicks on the side 2 label (on closer inspection these appear to be manufacturing faults).

The track listing is :

Side 1:

1. TO SAMUEL A SON

2. EIGHT O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING

3. HE'S GROWING

4. STICKING WINGS ON FLIES

5. LADY LADY

6. PENNY DEAR

7. LONG TIME, SAD TIME, BAD TIME

8. FIVE TO THREE

9. AUTUMN

Side 2 :

1. YES I CRY

2. GROOZY

3. MOMMA I SAID

4. CANDLELIGHT

5. LOVELY ANITA

Comes complete with original EMI inner sleeve - fully functional with no splits or tears.

A classic UK prog/psych album, surely an essential part of any serious vinyl collector's collection!

IF THIS ITEM INTERESTS YOU THEN YOU MAY LIKE TO TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER 60's/70'S VINYL OFFERINGS ALSO CURRENTLY ON EBAY : SOME REAL RARITIES!

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

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 45 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. I worked in IT for 22 years before doing a complete career change to teach Maths in a high school at the ripe old age of 45 - probably the best career move that I ever made. I took great joy in indulging the "kids" in my eclectic collection of 60's and 70's vinyl, even once dedicating a whole PSE session to the Genesis classic ""Foxtrot".  But now I am retired and a combination of space requirements 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 questions asked" 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 care in removing the record from the outer sleeve and properly protecting it in a separate white inner sleeve in order to prevent outer sleeve damage in transit. Please wait for an invoice before paying. I do NOT profiteer from postage costs. I DO take great care in minimising all risk thereby ensuring, as far as possible, that your purchase reaches it's destination in exactly the same condition as when I post it. Richard

P&P costs are for Royal Mail, 1st class, tracked and signed for : £6.00 for UK, £9.00 for continental Europe, and £12.00 for the rest of the world.

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.