PINK FLOYD A SAUCERFUL OF SECRETS 1/1 1st PRESS Blue COLUMBIA SUPERB AUDIO!

Sold Date: May 22, 2022
Start Date: May 12, 2022
Final Price: £361.96 (GBP)
Bid Count: 34
Seller Feedback: 3986
Buyer Feedback: 473


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I recently purchased a stunning Pink Floyd collection where all the records and covers have been so well preserved by the previous owner.  I am selling the majority of them during this auction.
Pink Floyd : A Saucerful Of Secrets 1/1 1st Stereo Press Blue COLUMBIA
This very collectable first pressing plays to a superb standard for the vast majority with only minimal background.  The clarity is stunning for an album album with so many quiet sections and this has not been played very much at all based on the sonic quality and the minimal spindle wear.  There are just five static clicks during one brief section on 'Saucerful...' on S2 but aside from that it plays incredibly well as do all the other tracks.  The vinyl is visually impressive with only a few hairlines and a couple of faint hairline 'scuffs'.
The iconic laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minor wear.  For once the flipbacks are still firmly attached to the cover and the original inner sleeve is also in superb shape.
As can be seen there is only a single stamper on each side making it one of the earlier first pressings.
SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // H 1 / P 1
The audio on S1 is Near Mint- (T1 Near Mint / T3 Ex+)  
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint for the majority / T1 VG for 4/5 seconds)
The cover is Ex
The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Near Mint-
Visual grading
The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a very strong glossy sheen.  S1 has a few faint hairlines but not an excessive amount and there are no marks or scratches.  S2 is similar but has a couple of hairlines that are a little more obvious and a couple of faint hairline 'scuffs' which have no affect on the audio.  Not a perfect copy but in my opinion it is still quite impressive visually with no groove wear and the faint marks are only superficial, it is certainly one of the cleaner versions you will find today.  The run out grooves are extremely clean and the blue Columbia labels are in superb condition with very little spindle wear and no marking.  The KT tax stamp can be seen on the S1 label.
Play grading
S1 has a very quiet run as you set the stylus down and the intro on 'Let There Be More Light' then plays with stunning clarity and zero interference.  The first vocal is just as good and it continues to play with a sonic quality that really cannot be faulted - there are no clicks or pops and I heard only a couple of barely audible ticks.  The instrumental end section so often plays with distortion (even on the stereo pressings) and yet there is barely any here, the playback is very strong indeed.  This has to grade as Near Mint it is a fine start to this classic album.
'Remember A Day' has a near perfect intro with just one very light tick (no static) and the opening vocal then plays very clearly with hardly any intrusion, just a couple of very light ticks again, they are not clicks I hasten to add!  From then on the clarity is very impressive - there is only the lightest of momentary static in a couple of places but in no way does this impact on the audio quality.  I believe Near Mint- is a fair reflection of the audio here.
The super quiet intro on 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' has just one second of static at the start and then plays with great clarity.  The first vocal is nigh on perfect and it continues to play so clearly when you consider how quiet it is.  There is just a very faint hiss once per revolution but this is so quiet as to be non-intrusive in my opinion, the music still very music wins!  There is just a hint of quiet static during the mid instrumental but again this is so minimal.  There is one tick on the next vocal that is a little more obvious and the final section has just one light tick also.  Overall this is a very impressive version of this quiet track and...there are no clicks or pops.  It is easily one of the 'cleanest' versions I have heard in a long time and Ex+ is very much deserved.
There is some crackle in the dead wax and then the intro on 'Corporal Clegg' plays perfectly.  The first vocal has a little inner groove distortion but do not let that put you off as it always has it!  This is down to it being the final track on the album where the grooves are pressed a little closer together and should not be downgraded as such.  It is only very minimal and still plays with great clarity and power.  The instrumental sections in particular are stunning and the entire track has no actual interference at all.  A Near Mint- version and perhaps even the minus is a little harsh.
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The quiet intro on 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' is as close to perfect as is possible and you can hear each note so clearly even when the 'tinkly percussive' section is at its quietest.  The only intrusion is one 'swish' static sound that lasts just for a millisecond.  This section continues to play with amazing clarity with barely any background and there is just one very brief distorted moment as the volume builds plus a couple of very minor ticks but this really is a fantastic start to this classic.  As Mason comes in there is no let up in quality and this opening percussive section plays so clearly with next to no static.  It continues in the same way with no interference and only a minimal touch of distortion on the top end, a couple of times at most.  There are five static clicks at the start of the next quieter passage but this is before the organ comes in.  The organ 'recital' then plays with wonderful clarity right from the start and proceeds in the same way with hardly any interference.  A couple of minor ticks and just a hint of very light static but nothing intrusive I can guarantee that.  The choral section then plays beautifully with hardly any static and again I am impressed at the clarity of sound on offer here.  This ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint with just one very brief VG passage.
'See-Saw' then plays with stunning quality from start to finish.  There is perhaps just a very minor 'muffled' sound at times but this is so minor and I am sure 99% of sellers would not even mention it!  It still plays with great clarity and there are no ticks, clicks or pops and Near Mint is fair.
'Jugband Blues' plays with genuine quality for the vast majority.  Barrett's first vocal is 'as new' as is the following instrumental section.  There are just two light ticks as you come out of the la la vocal section but the brass section then plays with great quality as does the final acoustic/vocal ending.  A superb finish.  I will say Ex+ but as per 'Saucerful...' the majority plays to a higher standard for sure.
In summary this first pressing plays to a very high standard with only very minimal background.  The clarity and depth of the audio is among the finest I have heard on a blue Columbia vinyl and I am confident the winning bidder will be just as impressed as I am.  The only obvious interference is during 'Saucerful...' but as stated this does not last long and the vast majority of this classic instrumental plays with wonderful sonic quality.  The rest of the album is hugely impressive also!
The Cover & Inner Sleeve
The laminated G&L cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges are perfect and the spine is also in great order with only minimal 'rub' on the corners.  The right hand corners have very little wear and the opening edge has only light handling wear.  The front cover is very clean with only a couple of minor laminate creases and a small number of the usual creases around the edges.  The back cover is unmarked and has just faint crease lower left and some minor creasing on the flipbacks.  The flipbacks themselves have no marking/staining on the edges and they remain 100% attached to the cover.  A fine example overall.
The original EMI inner is in lovely condition with no side splits or marking and only very minimal creasing.
Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable // B & W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SCX 6258 // YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // H 1 / P 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.


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Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

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Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

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 WILL 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!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

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

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 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!