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Dana Gillespie : Box Of Surprises 1W/1W 1st Stereo Press 1969 Decca

This rare and very collectable first pressing plays with a sonic quality that can only be described 'as new'.  Having played every track in full I can guarantee the clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning and there is quite simply no intrusion on the audio at all.  By that I mean no clicks or pops obviously but no ticks or background static either.  This is easily one of the finest LPs from the 60s I have ever found and you will not be surprised to hear that the vinyl is visually stunning also.  This album has clearly hardly ever been played and there is just one very faint spindle trace on the S2 label.  This is as good as it gets and is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic in every way.  I cannot emphasise enough just how impressive the clarity is here, every aspect of the audio is just stunning.

It is also one of the earliest first pressings to have been produced.  Based on Decca's BUCKINGHAM system this version has B1 on S1 and U1 on S2.  Was there ever a B1 for S2 I don't know.  Pressed in only limited numbers and becoming increasingly rare (especially in this condition) this will appeal to any avid collector. 

The laminated cover has also been preserved very well and remains in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The original inner is also in superb shape.

As this is a first pressing it has the 1W/1W matrix and the cover has the indicator hole on the back.  It is also laminated only on the front.

SKL 5015 // ZAL-9015-P-1W / ZAL-9016-P-1W // B 1 / U 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The Decca labels are Mint

The original Stereo inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong light I can only locate some of the usual very faint sleeve removal hairlines and one very small minor blemish on S1.  So faint I just looked for it again and it took me quite a while to find!  The runout grooves are super clean and the Decca labels are also in fantastic condition with no marking and just one tiny barely visible spindle trace on S2.  A stunning example - on first inspection it is so clean and looks like new!

Play grading

The title track 'Box Of Surprises' opens the album with a STUNNING quality throughout.  I cannot overstate just how clean and precise the audio is - put simply there is no interference and the clarity is a 10/10.  Gillespie's voice is the star of the show here and of course she was only 20 years old when she wrote and recorded this album.  Such a mature vocal for one so young!  Even the long bluesy guitar fade out plays perfectly with just one static tick right at the end.  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and 'as new' sums it up perfectly, undeniably a Mint start to the album.

'Like I'm A Clown' is of the same high standard with no intrusion on the audio.  Once again the audio is so sharp and there is just no 'muddiness' to the sound 'as new' at all.  Another Mint track.  Already I cannot believe the standard on offer here!

The 'eastern' intro on 'Taffy' has no 'background' and the opening vocal is just as impressive.  From then on it plays beautifully with no clicks, pops or static.  I did notice two mega light static ticks on the end instrumental piece and I only mention it as I list any 'background' however minor.  As my regular customers know I strive to be 100% complete with my gradings and my feedback confirms this.  In no way is this interference and I am 100% confident in saying this is Mint also.

The gentle intro on 'When Darkness Fell' is flawless, not even a dust tick, and thereafter plays with immaculate precision.  Again the sonic quality is comparable to a vinyl pressed only yesterday not 53 years ago!  Of course a new vinyl would not have the same warmth and depth that you get from these first pressings.  Gillespie's voice is just stunning and the production on this album makes full use of that.  The mid and end instrumentals have no 'background' either and Mint is again deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'For David, The Next Day' plays with perfect clarity and and the opening vocal is equal to that with only one barely audible dust tick.  It continues to play with sublime quality with Gillespie's vocal again taking centre stage...as it should.  The clarity and definition of the audio from the first note to the last could not be any better.  Mint

'If You're Dreaming' plays with superb audio for a final track.  There is no inner groove distortion which is impressive for a more up tempo number.  There is great depth and power to the audio here and once more there is no interference.  A Mint finish to an unbelievable side of music!

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The intro to a side on any vinyl regardless of age can often be affected by dust/marks which makes the intro on 'Foolish Seasons' even more impressive.  Such a quiet acoustic start and yet it plays beautifully with stunning Mint precision.  This impeccable standard is kept up as this lovely track progresses.  A couple of barely audible dust ticks at most the clarity is 'as new' - Gillespie's voice as I have said already is the star of the show but the instrumentation here is STUNNING also.  So clear and 'fresh' none of the original sonic quality has been lost.  A beautiful Mint start to S2.

The intro on 'Grecian Ode' has to be heard to be believed!  I know the clarity on this album is impressive (to say the least) but it is just off the scale here!  Such a sparse arrangement and yet there is no 'background' aside from one very quiet dust tick.  Once the vocal begins there is no let up in quality and this quality is kept up to the very end.  Sublime clarity, depth and warmth from start to finish.  Mint

I am running out of superlatives now - another sublime intro on 'By Chasing Dreams' and again the entire track plays with pristine audio throughout.  Mint

'I Was A Book' and 'Describing You' both play to the same high end standard and of course there is no interference!  Two more powerful numbers and yet there is no loss in audio quality and each note can be heard perfectly.  In essence they play 'as new' and that is no exaggeration.  The high octane end section on the latter is a prime example of that.  Both qualify as Mint such is the quality.

The final track on this album 'I Would Cry' plays as well as all of the preceding tracks.  There is no inner groove distortion and again the sonic quality is breathtaking.  Has this record ever been played before?!  The vocals are so strong and clear and the mid instrumental and final vocal section play without fault.  The guitar ending plays is stunning and again this deserves to be given a Mint grade.

In summary this rare and very collectable first pressing plays with immaculate 'as new' audio on both sides with literally no intrusion.  I am not sure I have ever sold a vinyl from the 60s where every track grades as Mint with not one Mint- even!  This truly is audio of the highest calibre and as already stated it is patently obvious it has hardly ever been played.  Not only that but it has been so well preserved over the last 53+ years and that applies to the cover also.  Without question this is a FINAL UPGRADE album - I hate saying this but you could not find better!  The sonic quality is exceptional in every regard - the clarity, depth, resonance and warmth of the audio is STUNNING!  A genuine collectors' item made even more collectable you could say by the very low stampers.  The most 'complete' version you are ever likely to find.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges have no rubbing apart from a little on the corners and the thin pinched spine is in great order and remains 100% legible.  Overall the corners are very clean with just a little more wear bottom left and the opening edge has only a minor 'wavy' look and not very much handling wear.  The front cover is in superb condition with a very glossy appearance and no marks or scratches.  For once there is no creasing around the edges and you can only see some faint ringwear when you hold it at a certain angle.  The non-laminated back cover is super clean with no marking and only a couple of very faint crease lines by the top edge.  The most 'wear' is an S written inside the indicator hole!  A superb example overall.

The original blue poly-lined Stereo inner is in great condition and has no side splits or tears, hardly any fading around the edges and only minimal creasing.  There is just one tiny 'nick' on the top edge and the catalogue number has been written in the top corner of one side.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SKL 5015 // ZAL-9015-P-1W / ZAL-9016-P-1W // B 1 / U 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!