This week I'm auctioning a batch of selected LPs. I have done my best to present and describe the albums accurately. I've spent several years doing a deep research dedicated to classic rock records so all the information collected about a particular album is listed below. I'm not going to call any record "megarareprereleaseearliestpossiblematrixnumberstamperscopy" just because it's the record I'm selling at the moment (like some sellers, sadly, do). Below you'll find just pure facts. 

 

A note for potential buyers: I guarantee shipping next day after payment has been received but I cannot guarantee delivery time. It's December and postal services are working slower than usually so please keep this in mind if you need delivery before Christmas. European buyers may expect delivery within 10-15 days but to other destinations it may take more.

 

GRATEFUL DEAD Wake Of The Flood original first pressing USA copy on the Grateful Dead label in ARCHIVE CONDITION.

To get the best of any album one should acquire not only the earliest possible pressing but also the ORIGINAL one. In case of the album offered here the original first USA pressing is the only no-compromise version to own! Also this copy is the guaranteed original in terms of not being a counterfeit (this album WAS counterfeited upon release). Simply go and find another one in the same condition! A sealed copy may be a good alternative had it not been a roulette as you never known the actual condition of a sealed record which after 40+ years may at least get warped...

Pressing details. 

Generally a USA copy of the "Wake Of The Flood" album is not rare by itself but the factors of early, authentic pressing and OUTSTANDING condition make this item a unique one.

To begin with, it is the first release on the Grateful Dead label. The label design for the album is great in my opinion and the glossy label surface makes it look even cooler. It was a common practice in the USA to press an album simultaneously at various pressing plants and cutting several lacquers at once. The copy offered here definitely belongs to the first pressing but I cannot suggest exact dating. Unfortunately neither I do have enough knowledge to determine the plant which pressed this copy but the TLC boxed stamp in the run-off advises that the lacquer was cut at The Lacquer Channel, Sausalito, California.

Matrix numbers, other run-out info:

Side A: GD-01-A-M29  [TLC]

Side B: GD-01-B-M29 [TLC]

Cover

The cover is one of the earliest ones definitely as it does not have songs' titles listed on it (later covers had the track listing printed on the cover).But the most important feature of the cover is that it has 0598 PRINTED IN ORANGE LETTERS ON THE SPINE, this definitely shows that the copy offered here is not only the first pressing but also definitely NOT A COUNTERFEIT. Check the pictures for the photocopy of a postcard from the label referring to the problem.  

Inner sleeve

A typical USA plain paper inner sleeve which I'm sure originally came with the album as the whole set is a keeper definitely.

 

Condition

An ALL-ROUND NO COMPROMISE TOP COPY!

When you take the cover in your hands you have nothing but to be amazed how well it's been preserved, a true time capsule copy. All seams, spine and corners are crisp, front and rear panels are PERFECT. I see only indeed tiniest areas of rubbing near the corners on rear. HIGHEST NEAR MINT.

The record only shows the smallest signs of rubbing against the paper sleeve but I'm very critical here. It is in HIGHEST NEAR MINT condition.

Playback is FLAWLESS throughout with not a single click, pop, etc and there's NO SURFACE NOISE AT ALL even in the run-ins and the quieter passages.

 

Summary

Artist: GRATEFUL DEAD

Title: WAKE OF THE FLOOD

Country of origin: USA

Release and pressing year:  1973

Label: GRATEFUL DEAD, custom label

Catalogue number: GD-01

Pressing plant: unknown to me

Pressing: ORIGINAL, FIRST

Grading cover/record: Near Mint / Near Mint

Inner sleeve: ORIGINAL, CORRECT

Matrix numbers: GD-01-A-M29  [TLC] & GD-01-B-M29 [TLC]

 

 

Play-testing setup

Thorens 125 table, MC type cartridge Kuzma  KC-1 (OEM manufactured by ZYX), Luxman L-560 amp, Harbeth HL-7 speakers.

Treating records

I always treat vinyl records with the greatest care - just because I love them. All the records I sell have been cleaned professionally with the isopropyl alcohol based solution and placed in brand new deluxe German made poly-lined inner sleeves. Original inners are surely preserved. For further packing I use re-sealable outer sleeves, custom German made LP mailers with cardboard stiffeners and I add extra protection for corners for heavy parcels.

Shipping

Shipping cost is the same for any destination in the world.

I may be able it ship it at $12 (parcel rate under 500 gr weight) but I strongly recommend additional packing  protection for this museum-condition copy, that would increase the total weight obviously and postage cost becomes $18. It's up to the buyer's decision. 

I ship worldwide by Registered Air Mail and obtain an internationally valid tracking number. If the postal service of your country allows tracing of incoming overseas parcel you'll be able to use the tracking number. I'm happy to offer combined shipping for multiple purchases, this allows to save quite a lot on postage. Feel free to contact me if you need to know shipping price for several items.

Payment

Paypal.

Внимание, покупателям из России: с удовольствием отправлю пластинку в любую точку РФ по тарифам Почты России. Однако, если оплата идёт через Paypal, необходима полная страховка посылки, что составляет 4% от стоимости. Внутри РФ оплата возможна на карту Сбербанка, в этом случае страховка посылки - на Ваше усмотрение. Особо ценные пластинки по желанию могу отправить EMS'ом.

A VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ!!!!!

POSTAL SERVICES WORLDWIDE ARE ALREADY WORKING VERY SLOWLY AS CHRISTMAS TIME IS NEAR. DELIVERY BY REGISTERED AIR MAIL TAKES FROM 2 TO 4 WEEKS! MAY BE EVEN LONGER TO THE AMERICAN CONTINENT, AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN.

I CAN SHIP BY EXPRESS MAIL SERVICE AT COST (MUCH FASTER) BUT IT'S NEARLY A DOUBLE PRICE.

IF YOU ARE IMPATIENT AND DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION I STRONGLY ADVISE YOU TO SEEK FOR SIMILAR ITEMS ELSEWHERE. BY BIDDING ON MY ITEM YOU CONFIRM ACCEPTING THE TERMS ABOVE!