ASD 406 Brahms Symphony 3 Kempe Original UK 2xLP test pressings EX+

	£		900
	$		1,193

ULTRA RARE - 2 Single-sided UK HMV factory sample test pressings in EX condition. 

PLEASE NOTE - you are bidding on original early 1960s vinyl - this will not have completely silent surfaces, even when in unplayed condition - but the sound quality is stunning.  If you are looking for absolutely perfect blemish-free reproduction, please bear this in mind.

• First issue UK HMV single-sided test pressings, white labels
• Brahms Symphony 3  & Tragic Overture
• Played by Rudolf Kempe and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, issued 1961
• Both vinyls appear barely played, flat, glossy, no marks visible under strong light
• Side 1 Vinyl is EX+, excellent gloss.      Mother/matrix   2YRA 1639-1     1 at "9 o'clock"    G at "3 o'clock"
• Side 2 Vinyl is EX+  excellent gloss       Mother/matrix   2YRA 1640-4   1 at "9 o'clock"    G at "3 o'clock"
• Play-tested - superb early 60s EMI sound, some light surface noise only apparent in quiet passages (I have not cleaned these LPs, and so this may improve with professional cleaning).  Absolutely no wear or distortion - superb orchestral sound 
• White labels, one with typewritten label dated 17-1-61, other with just "STEREO" stamp are NM, no spindle trails on reverse sides to playing surfaces - see photos
• Condition of front-laminated flipback sleeve is VG++ (generally crisp and glossy laminate, slight browning to unlaminated back, and some loss to rear flipback at top right corner, see photos)
• Original inner sleeve, with handwritten matrix number and date 23-3-1961 date

Payment please within seven days of auction ending; foreign bidders please wait for invoice. 

Please contact me if you are intending to bid on further LPs.

These LPs are all from my personal collection, which has grown much too large, and so I am thinning down, as I won't be able to listen to all of them in one lifetime.  I will be putting up for auction mainly classical LPs from the advent of LP in the early 1950s until the 1980s, but principally early stereos (late 50s and 60s), rare repertoire, and often first or early pressings.  There will also be some 1960s-80s rock, pop, blues and jazz.

The description will state if the LPs have been fully auditioned (for rarer material, or when the visual grading is unclear),spot-auditioned, or if not otherwise stated, just visually graded.

For listening tests, stereo LPs are played either on LP12/Ekos/Dynavector Karat17D2 or Garrard 301/SME 3009/Denon DL103R, while monos are tested on Thorens TD160/SME 3009/Denon DL102, all through Quad QC24/Quad IIs/ESL63 system ).  Visual grading is under tungsten-halogen spotlight or direct sunlight (when available in England!)

A few LPs will have been professionally cleaned, and this will be stated in the description.  In my experience, most used LPs will benefit from professional cleaning which reduces background surface noise and often removes many of the pops and clicks, especially when these are due to debris, grease etc on the surface.

GRADING  (obviously slightly subjective and often dependent on original pressing and vinyl quality) - see description of each LP for more detail. 

Mint  Only used for sealed and unopened records (which may of course have pressing defects which are not visible until unsealed).

NM     Visually perfect, no scuffs or other marks, and plays without any problems, and barely audible surface noise (depending on date and pressing).  No spindle trails on label. Jacket (sleeve) or box will be almost perfect.

EX+    The occasional extremely light mark, fingernail scuffs etc that should not make any difference to the sound, possibly a few spindle trails on the label. Playback should be similar to NM.  Jacket or box may have very minor defects such as slight creases, or ring-wear but these will be not very noticeable

EX     Only one or two very minor marks that might give the occasional low level pop or click but no serious scuffs or scratches and the record should play without any distortion or serious problems. Surface noise may be slightly more apparent than NM but still not at all distracting.  Jacket or box may have some minor defects, slight distortions or edge knocks, small amount of discolouration or slight laminate peel etc.

 VG+    Minor surface marks that will give occasional background noise or a few repeating click and pops for a short period, but on the whole the record should play without serious problems, and will still be enjoyable to listen to.  Sleeve or box may have noticeable defects (laminate peel or loss, small edge splits or repaired tears, staining or discoloration, slight sticker damage etc), but no major tears, losses, or bends.

VG:   There are marks that will cause some deterioration in the sound, such as repeating clicks from shallow scratches, or higher levels of background noise but this will not be serious enough to cause a major distraction to the listener.  Very slight inner groove or "side-end" distortion may be present on loud passages. Sleeve or box might have splits(repaired or otherwise), pronounced ring-wear, tears, sticker damage, writing,or noticeable creases or bends. 

Only very rare records will be offered for sale in less than VG condition; the description will give details of all the defects in such cases.

Postal charges:                      

Calculated by weight, including packaging

UK:  Royal Mail "signed-for" 1st class (insured up to £50)

up to 1kg (normally 1-3 LPs)                       £4.00    

up to 2kg (normally 4-7 LPs)                       £6.50

Over 2kg, Parcelforce Express 48 prices (insured up to £100):

Up to 5kg                                                       £13

Up to 10kg                                                     £16

Additional insurance can be purchased, please ask for a quote.

Europe Air Mail (insured up to £20):

1 LP £6.00

2 LP  £8.00

3 LP  £10.00

4 LP £12.00

5 LP £14.00

Rest of the World Standard air mail (insured up to £20):

1 LP £8.00

2 LP  £10.00

3 LP  £13.00

4 LP £16.00

5 LP £20.00

International Signed-for or tracked service, add £5 (EU) or £5.50 (rest of world) which also gives insurance up to £50, or add £8 for insurance up to £250.

 ·         Larger quantities, please ask for a quote. 

 ·         Boxed sets - the box generally adds the weight of one extra LP.  Please remember that earlier pressings will usually weigh more than later ones (some early mono LPs are more than 200g).

 ·         For all packages insurance is required and I can provide a quote for higher value packages (over £250).  I will always retain proof of postage.

 ·         LPs will be well packed, with extra stiffeners, and with the LP removed from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits.

 ·         Honest mistakes in grading can occur occasionally, so if the LP is not as described, please contact me within 14 days to arrange return and refund (buyer pays return postage)