JOY DIVISION UNKNOWN PLEASURES 1979 UK FACTORY 1st PRESS TRULY STUNNING AUDIO! JOY DIVISION UNKNOWN PLEASURES 1979 UK FACTORY 1st PRESS TRULY STUNNING AUDIO!

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of the iconic debut studio album by Joy Division titled "Unknown Pleasures", Catalogue Number FACT 10. It's a 1979 UK stereo 1st pressing on the Factory Records label, with a 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. textured single sleeve. It comes complete with the correct die-cut picture/credits inner sleeve which has rounded corners. [The sleeve is the earliest design with a fine textured finish. The record matrix numbers are "FACT-10-INSIDE 1 A" and "FACT-10-OUTSIDE 1 B". "A PORKY PRIME CUT & THIS IS THE WAY" and "A PORKY PRIME CUT & STEP" is etched in the run-outs of Sides A and B respectively. The record is pressed on black vinyl. A bit of research confirms that the translucent red records referred to in Record Collector as first pressings were not made until 1980. The first pressings are black!].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just light signs of wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front and back covers show a little ringwear but are otherwise unmarked. The spine is solid with all text legible. Overall it's a very presentable example of this notoriously wear-prone sleeve.  Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record is in EX condition. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are just a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light which are only superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The Factory labels show only a few faint spindle spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. The Side A label has some foxing spots which are clearly shown in the photos. [Foxing is caused by the presence of moisture in the air which reacts with traces of iron and copper in the paper pulp used during manufacture. Most of the sleeves and labels of Unknown Pleasures and Closer seem to suffer from this issue to some degree]. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops, repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure, just a touch of light surface sound audible on the lead-in and linking grooves. The sound quality is truly exceptional as you would expect from a record mastered by George "Porky" Peckham. It is particularly dynamic and vibrant with exceptional bass. It's a while since I've listened to a first pressing of Unknown Pleasures and I had forgotten how incredible they can sound.

The thick card inner sleeve has some patches of foxing/age discoloration, but no significant creases, splits or tears.  
 

Overall this is a lovely first pressing of Joy Division's highly accomplished debut studio album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

 

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

 

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

                                  

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50