A Saucerful Of Secrets

(Stereo 1st press Blue/Black Columbia Labels)

This is a stunning version of this classic album and the audio as detailed below plays with exceptional quality.  Some view the stereo pressing as even rarer than the mono one as it is generally considered to have been pressed in fewer numbers. 

It has single stampers on each side denoting it as one of the earliest first stereo pressings. 

Matrix numbers : YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // Stampers R1 / A1

The audio on S1 is Ex (Ex+ in many sections)

The audio on S2 is Ex+

The laminated cover is VG+

The labels are Near Mint
The original inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

This vinyl is in beautiful condition for its age.  Both sides are very clean with only a small number of fine hairlines and there are only 2 or 3 that are more obvious to the naked eye.  There are no deep scratches at all and obviously hasn't been played very much as there is only a small amount of spindle wear on each side.  With a lovely glossy sheen it is one of the cleanest I have seen in a long time and even the run out grooves have barely any marking.  A superb version.

Play grading  

There is hardly any lead in static on S1 and the intro on 'Let There Be More Light' has immense clarity and no 'background'.  There are a couple of clicks before the vocal begins but aside from that it plays with no other obvious interference whatsoever.  A little distortion on the louder end section perhaps but rarely have I heard this track play so well.  'Remember A Day' is equally as impressive with only a handful of mega light dust ticks.  The quiet passages play incredibly well for a vinyl approaching 50 years of age.  This is a stunning listen.  The quiet intro on 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun' is sublime and plays in superb style.  As the track progresses you can detect a little static hiss on the top end but in my opinion it is not intrusive and there are no loud clicks or pops and certainly no jumps.  You expect a little interference after all but it still maintains an 'integrity' rarely heard today.  'Corporal Clegg' ends S1 with excellent sound.  There is some distortion as per usual but no other interference.

'A Saucerful of Secrets' on S2 has a minor amount of static at the start and then displays great clarity and depth for such a rare vinyl.  Yes the odd dust tick here and there but this is up there with the best I have heard and there are no loud clicks or pops at all.  In fact the more I listen to it the more I am awestruck by it!  The section leading up to the organ section and what follows is just stunning.  This is audio of the highest calibre and this track grades as Ex+ in my humble opinion.  'See-Saw' is another fine listen with only a minimal amount of background static on the top end here and there.  'Jugband Blues' ends the album with stunning quality and again may be the 'cleanest' and most dynamic version I have heard.  Whilst the whole track plays in sublime fashion the end section in particular is simply stunning.

In summary to find a blue/black first stereo press play so clearly and with such depth is a rarity today.  With only two obvious clicks on S1 you would be hard pressed to find a better sounding copy.  This is a mega rare album that will not disappoint the avid collector.  

Cover

The laminated E.J. Day cover is in very good condition overall but with some shelf wear.  It has a small 5cm split on the bottom edge but really isn't that obvious.  A shame because apart from that the edges are very clean with no rubbing.  The thin pinched spine is very clean with only a couple of rub marks and the corners have a little wear as can be seen.  The laminate on the front cover has some creasing mainly towards the bottom right edge but it has no splits or lifting.  The opening edge has some handling wear but not an excessive amount.  The back cover is very clean and the flipbacks are in excellent shape with no staining and only a small number of creases.  There is one obvious crease on the bottom left but there is no obvious marking or writing.

Inner sleeve

The original sleeve is in superb shape with no splits or tears.  It has the 'Sgt Peppers' and 'Piper' cover on either side and only the lightest of creasing.  One of the cleanest I have ever seen.  

The labels

The famous Blue/Black Columbia labels have no marks or writing on them and remain in superb condition.  As stated there is only a small amount of spindle wear.  There is no KT tax stamp on this pressing.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

Matrix numbers : YAX 3633 - 1 / YAX 3634 - 1 // Stampers R1 / A1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

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

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

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SHIPPING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM "TRACKED/SIGNED FOR" AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £6.00. PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE. WHEN ITEMS EXCEED A SALE PRICE OF £50.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT INTERNATIONALLY INSURANCE IS NECESSARY AND COSTS AN EXTRA £2.50.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (Second Class)

LPs/12" singles : £4.95 (recorded) then £0.75 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE 

LPs/12" singles : £7.95 then £1.25 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £4.95 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD  

LPs/12" singles : £11.95 then £1.75 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £5.95 then £0.95 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!

In the coming weeks and months I will be selling plenty of Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Beatles, Genesis and Marillion items so please keep a look out!  Many thanks.  Please look at my other items on now!

 

 

 

 

 

On 25-Nov-16 at 15:05:28 GMT, seller added the following information:

In hindsight I believe the cover should be graded as Ex
Sorry for any confusion