Britten Noye's Fludde ORIG U.K. Black Grooved ARGO STEREO L.P. + Libretto VG+/EX

	£		20
	$		26

RARE U.K. 1961 Black, Grooved Label Argo Stereophonic L.P. pressing of Benjamin Britten’s ‘Noye’s Fludde’ recorded at the XIVth Aldeburgh Festival with the English Chamber Orchestra conducted by Norman Del Mar (Catalogue Reference: Argo Record Company ZNF 1).  This features a very thin, spineless, fully-laminted sleeve which was typical of British Esquire & Vogue pressings of this period.  There are straight flip-backs at the top and bottom on the rear.  The vinyl is contained within the original, pink print ‘Stereophonic’ poly-lined sleeve and is a high-quality, weighty Decca pressing.  The set retains the original, illustrated Libretto which has a curious string binding.  The matrixes read ‘ZRG-2339-3D’ (Side One) and ‘ZRG-2340-4D’ (Side Two).  This is an early pressing at the very least.  These early Argo stereophonic pressings are very rare.  This is the first copy I’ve seen of what is undoubtedly one of the harder to locate recordings of Britten.  This is a really solid example of this rare set with the vinyl in particular remaining in very nice condition.  I would say the sleeve is in inferior condition however, that is a reflection of both it’s age and it’s flimsy construction.

CONDITION: EX (VINYL) / EX- (SLEEVE) / VG+ (LIBRETTO): The record has seen limited play and has clearly been very well looked after.  There are a couple of long, fine shadow-like marks on Side Two which I believe to be by-products of the production process.  These marks have no substance and there are no marks of substance (which can be seen in normal daylight or which can be felt).  Considering that this has seen play I’m surprised it remains in such fine condition.  Limited, wispy hairline markings are visible under an intense light on the dead-wax on Side Two but such markings don’t appear on the playing surfaces themselves (and I have looked quite hard).  Spindle-drags are evident around the spindle-hole on the labels on both sides which are otherwise in fine condition.  The original, Stereophonic, poly-lined inner remains in crisp condition which suggests the vinyl hasn’t seen that much play.  While the sleeve remains in solid condition I would say it is inferior to the condition of the vinyl but this type of sleeve construction rarely survives the ravages of age in mint condition.  The sleeve, being spine-less is very flimsy and therefore displays a number of creases on the front (less so on the rear) where it has bent around someone’s fingertips whilst the vinyl was removed.  There is a very light crease in the top left-hand corner which follows the outline of the record (which again isn’t evident on the rear) and a couple of laminate bubbles have formed along this crease.  The laminate on both sides retains a certain ‘fresh’ appearance although the rear has undoubtedly ‘yellowed’ with age.  Laminate bubbles have formed along what would be the spine on the rear (I have tried to capture this in the attached images).  The bottom right-hand corner of the sleeve has received a knock which has resulted in a laminate bubble forming in this corner.  Considering it’s age and construction I would say the sleeve remain in solid condition.  The Libretto is in inferior condition to both the sleeve and vinyl.  The price of ‘4/6’ on the front suggests it might have been added at a later date.  It has certainly been thumbed through an awful lot which is why I expected the vinyl to display greater wear.  There is excessive marking on the front and rear where fingerprints have become encrusted.  The paper displays a slight ‘rippling’ effect where it has bent around fingertips through use.  The delicate string spine remains intact and appears to be solid.  A solid example of this rare set.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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