Sold Date: June 4, 2023
Start Date: May 19, 2023
Final Price: £1,700.00 (GBP)
Seller Feedback: 4547
Buyer Feedback: 0

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This is an exceptional example of this early MONO pressing with blue/black Columbia labels, bought in the UK shortly after the time of first release. It is not a modern reissue. I have never seen/heard another one as good as this.

This has the following first matrix numbers:

Side one: XAX 3419 - 2

Side two: XAX 3420 - 1

This has the first mothers on both sides and early stampers:

Side one: 1 L

Side two: 1 GT

Description
Disc: The vinyl looks superb. It has retained its original sheen with barely a mark to be seen. In normal light the playing surfaces look virtually flawless: I could see just one small, light surface mark (on 'Interstellar Overdrive') and even under bright, direct light just a handful of ultra-fine hairlines and sleeve-removal lines were visible, but there is nothing significant anywhere. I would visually grade side one as Near Mint (NM) and side two as Excellent Plus (Ex+). I have played the whole album in full from start to finish and it plays exceptionally with nothing to report. For the sake of completeness I would mention some minor background noise in some of the run-ins/outs, fades, silent grooves and intros and the occasional solitary click, but there is nothing significant anywhere. I did not hear any repetitive clicks anywhere, and this is easily the best I've heard this album sounding on an original mono pressing. I think it would be very unlikely that you could find one sounding better than this and I would have no hesitation to play-grade the whole album as a SAFE Near Mint (NM).

Labels: No tears, stickers, writing etc, just some small, neat spindle marking suggesting that the record wasn't played that much.

Sleeve: This is easily the best one I've ever seen, with no significant issues. It has no seam splits, tears, writing, stickers etc, and minimal signs of age or use. There is very minor wear at the tips of the corners, some foxing to the unlaminated rear and a small laminate crease above the 'Y' on the front, but otherwise this is in near-perfect condition.

Inner sleeve: A superb example with minimal signs of use. There is minor age-related discolouration, but no splits, tears or other issues.

Detracting features not covered above:  None. This is an incredible example which would be very hard to improve on.

All photographs are of the actual item for sale. Please ask any questions before you bid or buy.

Where gradings are given these are based on the UK Record Collector grading system (see below) and are visual gradings only, unless the listing specifically states that it is a play-grading.

I use the UK RECORD COLLECTOR GRADING SYSTEM. This grading system differs from some other grading systems, in particular the Goldmine grading system. Please make sure that you are familiar with the UK record collector grading system before you bid.

Mint: The record 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, discoloration, 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 will be torn, stained and/or defaced.

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

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

Plus (+) or Minus (-) are added where items fall between gradings. I only ever use one plus or minus.

P&P costs as follows:

UK:

First LP or 12" record = £4.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.

First 7" record = £3.95, each additional item no extra P&P charge.

Europe:

First LP or 12" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.

First 7" record = £11.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.

Rest of the world:

First LP or 12" record = £24.95, each additional item = an extra £2.20 P&P charge.

First 7" record = £14.95, each additional item = an extra £1.00 P&P charge.