Pretty Things : S.F. Sorrow 1st Mono Press

This is without doubt one of the most collectable psychedelic albums around today and this one does not disappoint.  It may not be the most visually perfect record but in the main it plays with great clarity and precision.  There is some static here and there but is only a little intrusive on the final track of S1.  So many sections play with stunning quality and 'Balloon Burning' is a prime example of that and is Mint- in my opinion!

This first mono pressing was produced on the Blue Columbia label and was not pressed in large numbers.  Generally it was overlooked on first release and only much later was it considered a classic and quite rightly so!  This is why it is so collectable today and the mono version especially.

The iconic gatefold is in excellent condition with only a little shelf wear and the original EMI inner is also included and has no side splits just one minor tear on the top edge.

SX 6306 // XAX 3738 - 1 / XAX 3739 - 1 // No stampers just a 2 mother on each side

The audio on S1 is Ex+ (Near Mint in many sections / T2 intro & end section Ex- / T4 end section Ex- / T5 Mint- / T6 VG

The audio on S2 is Ex (Ex+ / Near Mint in some sections / T4 & T7 VG+)

The gatefold is Ex

The labels are Near Mint

The original EMI inner is Ex-

This vinyl has not been over-played, the previous owner assured me of that, and to back up that theory it does not have too much spindle wear.  At first glance it looks very clean but on closer inspection you can see a number of hairlines on both sides so this is certainly not a perfect looking first press.  In saying that vinyl was built to last in the 60s and this heavily weighted vinyl certainly plays a lot better than it looks.  There are a number of sweep type hairlines on S2 and this is something I have seen before on vinyls from this time.  The Beatles 'White' mono album springs to mind which is a coincidence as it was released the same week!  I have seen this on at least two of them and I think these 'hairlines' may have been caused during manufacture and they have no obvious affect on the audio.  S1 is cleaner and the good news is that there are no actual scratches on either side causing any interference.  As you can see from my grading below the audio is very impressive.  These numerous markings/hairlines can only be seen when you tilt the vinyl at a certain angle in bright light.  I am pleased to say there is no groove wear on the record and the run out grooves and labels remain very clean.

Play grading

The acoustic intro on 'S.F. Sorrow' plays perfectly with no interference and is of the same standard as May's vocal begins.  The playback is stunning!  The first verse is faultless and it continues in much the same way.  There is barely any static, just a minimal amount in the quieter moments but it so quiet, totally non-intrusive and lasts for only 1,2 seconds at most.  The mid instrumental could not play with any greater clarity and the remainder is also very impressive.  A hint of static on the final repeated section but it does not intrude on the audio and the fade out is very 'clean' with minimal static.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and I honestly believe a Near Mint- grade is a fair assessment of the audio here.

'Bracelets Of Fingers' has some static on the intro and a couple of very quiet dull clicks and then the melodic first two lines can be heard very clearly with only minimal 'background'.  The first verse then plays with wonderful clarity and again there is barely any static.  The sitar mid instrumental is 'as new' apart from a little static distortion just prior to vocal coming back in.  From then it plays extremely well with only a little static on the final vocal section.  The majority of this classic plays with superb audio but I will grade as Ex+ just to be cautious with an Ex- intro and end section.

'She Says Good Morning' has hardly any static on the intro and it then plays with stunning clarity and depth with no intrusion on the audio.  It is a fantastic version and again there are no clicks or pops!  The sonic quality is so good and the depth of the bass adds so much to this classic.  It may not be the 'cleanest' vinyl but so far it is not having any affect on the audio quality which shows that the hairlines etc are purely superficial.  From start to finish there is barely any 'background' and the end section in particular is stunning!  Such depth and power, wow!  This is easily Ex+ but again many sections are stronger than that!

'Private Sorrow' is very similar and the intro plays incredibly well.  The first verse performs with great clarity and it continues to play with such impressive audio.  The 'song' element of this track plays so clearly and there are no negatives really but if I had to mention something there is just a minimal touch of mega light static in the background here and there.  However, I must stress it is so minor and does not interfere with the stunning playback.  Only the final 'spoken' section has a little more static but this is not loud.  Again there are no clicks or pops!  So Near Mint- but with an Ex- end section.

The strong intro on 'Balloon Burning' is faultless and from that point on you cannot belief what you are hearing!  The definition of the audio is sublime, there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever and this is a mono record being played through a stereo system!  The first 'This balloon, burning...' section is fantastic!  Honestly the power and depth of the audio is exceptional and the guitar solo that follows is also 'as new'.  The remainder does not disappoint either - this is without doubt a stunning version of this classic and to the end it plays with 'high end' audio to say the least.  This is so good I am confident in grading it as Mint- even the fade out has barely any 'background'.

After the euphoria of the previous track 'Death' does end the side with some interference.  However, this is not in the form of clicks or pops but more due to static.  It is intrusive but the music and vocals can still be heard clearly.  It it perhaps a little more obvious on the intro and first verse, slightly less on the second verse.  The sitar instrumental plays very well with only minimal 'background' and the rest of the track has no clicks, pops or jumps just some static again although strangely the final sound affect section plays very clearly.  I would have to give this a VG grade but could perhaps be improved when played as a mono record if you know what I mean, hopefully some of the static could be eradicated.

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'Baron Saturday' plays with stunning precision from very first groove and it's the superb definition of the audio that really stands out.  The first two verses are Mint and the first chorus is close to that with just a touch of barely audible static.  It continues to play with wonderful clarity and the mid percussive instrumental could hardly play any better, it is stunning!  Yes there is some static at the end of this section but the final verse then plays very clearly with just a little 'background', nothing intrusive.  The majority does play 'as new' but overall a Near Mint- is an honest assessment.

'The Journey' plays with excellent audio from start to finish and...no clicks or pops.  From the acoustic intro to the final section there is very little to fault.  There is some light background static but it is so minimal as to be insignificant.  A little more during the psychedelic section but again nothing major and not intrusive.  The first half is easily Ex+ if not better and the second Ex.

The intro on 'I See You' is very 'clean' and the first verse plays so well with barely any 'background'.  The first chorus is stunning and from then on the audio is so strong and clear.  Each note can be heard with perfect precision and there is only a minor touch of mega light static here and there.  The chorus sections play with remarkable depth and power and there is just nothing that gets in the way of this amazing audio experience!  The crescendo end section is awesome!  Just a couple of light clicks right at the end.  This is Ex+ overall but many sections grade as Near Mint for sure.

'Well Of Destiny' has one light click on the intro and then plays very well for an instrumental track that is quiet for the majority.  There is some background static but no other clicks or pops and the end section where the volume gradually increases is strong with only minimal static/distortion.  A VG+ listen I would say.

'Trust' plays extremely well from the outset and it progresses in much the same way but with just a little more background static.  It is not very intrusive and each note can easily be heard and there are no clicks or pops.  This is a very respectable Ex version.

The intro 'Old Man Going' is very powerful with barely any 'background' and the first verse is strong with only minimal static.  As the music builds the playback is so powerful with only minimal distortion.  Once again the audio definition is so impressive and whilst there is a little 'background' there is no obvious interference. The depth of the bass on this track is superb!  To the end it plays with minimal static and the build up to the final note is absolutely stunning!  I think Ex is fair here and like I say the playback will be further enhanced when played as a mono record.

'Loneliest Person' plays with great clarity for the first few seconds and only a couple of crackles on the intro.  The first verse then plays very clearly but with a small number of light ticks, not clicks!  They are definitely not loud.  The second verse has only minimal static and the final vocal is of the same standard.  Very impressive really for such a quiet final track of this age!  Not perfect but a lovely version that has no real faults.  There is a swishy type sound on the fade out but VG+ is more than deserved.

In summary this very rare first pressing plays to an excellent standard with a sonic quality and definition that is perhaps surprising when you see how many hairlines it has.  Like I say vinyl from the late 60s is very durable if not mishandled too much!  There are so many sections that play with stunning clarity and with only 3/4 minor clicks in total the audio is very strong indeed.  Yes some static here and there but there is certainly no 'loud' intrusion and I am sure any keen collector would be very impressed with the actual audio itself.  The gatefold is also in great shape which makes a change!

The Gatefold

The laminated E.J. Day cover is in excellent condition with only light shelf wear.  The edges have been so well preserved and have no rubbing and the spine has only a small number of white 'marks' caused by creasing when the gatefold has been opened, unavoidable really on a 52 year old cover!  It is still in excellent shape and remains 100% legible with only minimal wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are very clean with barely any wear, just a minor amount bottom right, and the opening edge in also in great shape with very little handling wear.  The front cover is very impressive when you consider how predominantly white it is and has no marking at all.  There is just a minimal amount of fading/greying which is so minor anyway, a mild hint of ringwear and a handful of light creases around the edges.  There is no laminate damage, just a small number of insignificant creases.  The back cover is unmarked and has only some of the usual laminate creases around the edges.  The inside of the gatefold is STUNNING and again is so 'white' and yet has no marking.  The flipbacks have none of the staining that you so often see on the edges and remain firmly in place.  Overall a fine example of this rare cover and it would be difficult to find better.

The Labels

The famous blue Columbia labels are extremely clean with no marking or writing and not too much spindle wear.  They have lost none of their original colour - the S1 label just has a small circular indent just to the right of the title.

The Inner Sleeve

The original EMI inner has no side splits and only one small tear on the top edge.  It is very clean with only minor age related marking and a little creasing.  It is advertising 'Sgt. Peppers' and 'Piper' amongst the 32 LP covers.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

SX 6306 // XAX 3738 - 1 / XAX 3739 - 1 // No stampers just a 2 mother on each side

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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