TEA & SYMPHONY Jo Sago RARE 1970 UK HARVEST LP 1st press 1G/1G sparingly played

	£		331
	$		439

TEA AND SYMPHONY - JO SAGO

An excellent copy of this extremely rare, and one of the most highly sought after very first 1970 UK pressings, of this prog rock holy grail, on the coveted pre-EMI logo Harvest label, stereo SHVL 785

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1   SHVL 785 A -1  with stampers "1" and "G" at 9 and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 2   SHVL 785 B -1  with stampers "1" and "A" at 8 and 2 o'clock respectively

Note the earliest "1", "G" & "A" stampers, indicative of one of the very first copies to come off the initial production run.

The appearance of the flat, thick vinyl is excellent plus (EX+). Both sides of the vinyl (nicely solid and completely flat) have retained their original beautiful, jet black lacquered sheen and wonderfully impressive luster - gorgeous! A real gleamer, and obviously sparlngly played. Under a very bright light, and with very close scrutiny, it is just possible to detect a few small and very, very wispy hairlines and just a couple of very light paper scuffs but these are strictly surface only and completely non-intrusive in terms of both appearance and sound quality (superb throughout). There can't be many copies of this exceedingly rare LP that are in better condition than this!

The labels are also excellent plus (EX+). Beautiful labels with the coveted green Harvest logo and black text on the light matt textured yellow background remaining perfectly intact in all it's glory on both sides. Under a bright light I can just about make out a couple of small spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label. But apart from that, perfect! Note the absence of the usual "EMI" logo on either label - again indicative of a very first pressing.

The Garrod and Lofthouse non-laminated gatefold sleeve is very good (VG).  Such an iconic sleeve, and so rare to come across a UK original. All edges remain firm with just some occasional light scuffing on the bottom edges, the corners remain nicely defined right angles with minimal rubbing and just some very minor compression on the top right corner, the spine is also firm with all text remaining intact but with some occasional very light scuffing, there is some slight, non-intrusive surface creasing towards the bottom left corner, the opening edges remain firm with no fraying, and the inside of the gatefold is truly excellent with no doodles, nasty marks or doodles anywhere. There is a dated shop stamp on the reverse side (I think that this adds charm and authenticity to the record, but that's my opinion!). The obvious blemish is at the top of the spine where a label (presumably) has been removed with little finesse, leaving an obvious mark on the top 3 cm of the spine itself, and overlapping the front and reverse sides by 5cm on each. Unfortunate, but it's there. I suppose that another label could be used to cover up this mark, or it can just be left as it is. If it wasn't for this obvious glitch I would have no hesitation in grading the condition of the gatefold outer sleeve as excellent, but because of this glitch I can only grade as very good overall...take a look at the photos where i have tried to capture this blemish in detailed close-up.

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent+ (EX+). Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies, as you would expect from a record that has obviously been played only sparingly. You may notice the very occasional nano second of static and just the merest hint of some very, very light background crackle towards the end of each side but that is no more than you would expect from a brand new record receiving it's very first play. Brilliant!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. JO SAGO - a play on music :

(a) Miniature

(b) Nyada

 (c) Journey

(d) Brother

(e) Africa Paprika

(f) Fairground Suite

(g) Deperate oil

(h) Umbilical Bill

(i) Goodnight

Side 2 :

1. TRY YOUR LUCK

2. YOURSELF

3. GREEN FINGERED - REDHANDED

4. SEASONS TURN TO ONE

5. VIEW TO THE SKY

6. THE NORTIHORTICULTURALIST

7. DANGLING

Comes with original poly-lined EMI/Harvest advertising inner sleeve (a rarity in it's own right) with the original "Made and printed in Great Britain" and "Patent Nos..." text, with no splits, rips or tears just some mild creasing and age discolouration around the side edges and remaining in very good plus condition. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary an overall excellent condition copy (notwithstanding the aforementioned label glitch on the outer sleeve) of this exceedingly rare and highly sought after 1970 UK very 1st pressing prog/psychedelic rock/folk classic - worthy of being the centrepiece of any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. Surely there cannot be many better vinyl condition copies of this UK 1st press still out there.

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

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

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

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 quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £6, Royal Mail special delivery; continental Europe £11 and Rest of the World £15, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail, tracked and signed for.

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records 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

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

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

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, discolouration, etc.

Fair

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 are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler