PINK FLOYD PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN SCX 6157 R1/A1 BLUE/BLACK COLUMBIA EX+
£
212
$
281
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Description
On offer here is an exceptional very early first stereo press of The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. It of course has the famous blue/black Columbia label - complete with E.J. Day flipback laminated cover. The stereo press is actually more rare than the mono press as was pressed in lesser numbers.
This pressing is number 4 on the matrix listing 'bible' of all things Pink Floyd - www.pinkfloydarchives.com showing just how early this pressing is.
SCX 6157 // Matrix numbers YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // Mother Stampers R 1 and A 1
Visual grading
Side One visually is in stunning condition and under a bright light there are no scratches just a couple of very faint hairlines and it retains that fantastic glossy sheen you get with new vinyl, it looks that good! This is without doubt the best Side One I have ever seen for a first press and as my play grading below testifies the audio more than matches it. Side Two is not as good as Side One as it does have a little more marking but it is not serious at all and remains in excellent condition with quality audio again.
Play grading There is some lead in static prior to 'Astronomy Domine' starting but then plays with remarkably good audio. Any background noise you hear is exactly that, very much in the background. It plays with wonderful depth and clarity it belies the fact that it is almost 50 years old. There is just one very minor jump but it is hardly noticeable and barely a jump really. The remaining tracks play with astounding audio, I cannot stress how good it is. There is a little distortion but you expect that. There are no skips, jumps or clicks and when there is any crackle it is not obtrusive in any way. For the most part you cannot hear any and when you can it is only very minor for example during the quieter 'Pow R. Toc H'. The final track has a little more distortion perhaps but still has a great richness and depth you only get with vinyl.
Side Two has a wonderful version of 'Interstellar Overdrive'. There are a few faint clicks towards the end due to a small smudge type mark but in my opinion it does not affect the listening pleasure, they are very quiet. There are two fine hairlines on this track but it has no affect on the audio whatsoever. 'The Gnome' is probably the best version I have heard on a first pressing, there is almost zero interference. The final three tracks play with a little more distortion perhaps but again the audio is clear and sounds superb. There are no skips or jumps at all on this side and the clarity and separation is exceptional.
In summary for its age this R1/A1 first stereo press is in astounding condition and is probably the best I have heard. Yes there is some distortion but I haven't heard one that doesn't have any! When you think how poor a condition many of these first pressings are in it is becoming rarer to find a true gem like this. I was also amazed to hear just how loud this vinyl played through my stereo system. It lies perfectly flat on the turntable and for the true fan this would be a great addition to their collection.
Laminated cover
The laminated Ernest J. Day flipback cover is one of the best I have seen with only minor shelf wear and there are no marks, writing or tears at all. The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb condition and look almost as new. There are two creases on the front cover running from the top edge to each respective side but they don't detract from the overall excellent quality of the cover. The corners have a little rubbing more noticeable on the two opening edges but again it is nothing major and the opening edge does have a very small amount of handling wear. What is very rare is just how clean the flipbacks are as so often they are stained with dirt gained through the decades! These just have mild marking and a few small creases. On the flipback top right is 'File under Popular : Pop Groups' and underneath is SCX 6157 the stereo catalogue number. Overall a fantastic looking laminated cover that has been very well looked after.
Labels
The blue/black labels are in superb condition with only absolute minor spindle wear. The letters K and T are stamped on either side of the spindle hole on Side One denoting that tax was paid for this album. At the bottom of the label it states "Made in Gt. Britain" and around the edge "The Gramophone Co., Ltd. All rights of the manufacturer and of the owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorised public performance, broadcasting, and copying of this record prohibited".
Inner sleeve
The original inner sleeve is also included and has the reddish brown printing on cream coloured paper advertising "Piper" and "Sgt Peppers" amongst others. It is excellent shape with no splits or tears, just minor creasing and a few small age related marks. Play tested on my Technics SL-J110R turntable system
SCX 6157 // Matrix numbers YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // Mother Stampers R 1 and A 1
Side One I would grade as Ex+
Side Two is Ex
The laminated cover is Ex+
The labels are Near Mint
The inner sleeve is Ex+
Any questions please feel free to ask
Please pay within 4 days of auction end
I ONLY SEND ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA "SIGNED FOR" AS TOO MANY ITEMS GO MISSING AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THIS.
I ALWAYS COMBINE POSTAGE COSTS IF MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON / DOUBLE LPs COUNT AS TWO RECORDS.
ALL RECORDS ARE PROFESSIONALLY PACKED IN STRONG MAILERS WITH CARDBOARD STIFFENERS. THE RECORDS ARE ALSO REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES TO AVOID CUTTING THROUGH THE COVER AND PUT INTO A SEPARATE SLEEVE, AND THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE.
I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK AS SOON AS I RECEIVE FEEDBACK - SO I KNOW THE ITEM WAS RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT :-)
In the coming weeks and months I will be putting plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Genesis and Marillion items on the site so please keep a look out! Many thanks. Please look at my other items on now!
UK POSTAGE RATES (SECOND CLASS)
LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.95 per extra item
7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.55 per extra
EUROPE
LPs/12" singles : £6.95 then £1.95 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £3.95 then £0.95 per extra
REST OF WORLD
LPs/12" singles : £9.95 then £2.45 per extra
7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra
FOR ITEMS OVER £46.00 I WOULD SERIOUSLY RECOMMEND SIGNED FOR. THIS PROTECTS US BOTH IF ITEMS GET LOST OR DAMAGED IN THE POST AND COSTS £6.00 EXTRA SO PLEASE JUST ASK IF YOU WOULD PREFER THIS. IF YOU DON'T I CAN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR DAMAGED ITEMS.
IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE RETURNS ARE ACCEPTED FOR A FULL REFUND EXCEPT YOUR RETURN POSTAGE (UNLESS OBVIOUSLY MY FAULT). IF THIS HAPPENS PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK SO WE CAN COME TO AN AMICABLE CONCLUSION. I'M SURE IT WON'T EVER COME TO THIS ANYWAY!!
