A Saucerful Of Secrets 1/1 1st Press Blue Columbia

This first 'Blue Columbia' Mono pressing plays with stunning audio as detailed below and has only been lightly played.  The flipback cover is also in a very clean condition.

As per the first/early pressings 'Gilmour' is spelt as 'Gilmore' on the cover and labels.

SX 6258 // XAX 3633 - 1 / XAX 3634 - 1 // H 1 / O 1  2

The audio on S1 is Near Mint (Mint- in many sections)

The audio on S2 is Ex+ (Near Mint / Mint- in a number of sections)

The laminated cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Near Mint

Visual grading

This is a very impressive first pressing.  As to be expected there are some superficial fine hairlines, mainly caused by sleeve removal, with perhaps a few more on S2 but there are no scratches.  The faint hairlines do not affect the stunning audio and indeed the vinyl itself still has a lovely glossy sheen.  With super clean labels that only have a little spindle wear this vinyl has not been played a great deal in my opinion.

Play grading  

There is hardly any lead in static on S1 and the intro on 'Let There Be More Light' is stunning.  The depth of the recording is tangible.  Many collectors say the mono pressings are superior to the stereo ones as there is more 'sound' in the mix with greater depth and warmth and I tend to agree.  As the vocal begins the quality does not diminish.  There are only 2/3 static sounds on the remainder and it is plainly obvious that this vinyl has only been lightly played, a rare find indeed!  There is no muddiness to the sound and the clarity for a first pressing is incredible and infinitely deserves a Near Mint grading.  The end instrumental section is so strong and clear - no distortion and no 'background', wow!  Even the fade out plays very cleanly with only a small number of mega light dust ticks.  An incredible start.

'Remember A Day' continues in the same way with wonderful clarity.  There are no clicks or pops and the depth of the sound is again stunning.  The only 'background' across the entire track is a handful of light dusts ticks that you would find on a vinyl from 2018 let alone 1968!  The quieter sections play so clearly this really is audio of the highest standard.  The fade out here has no 'background' here whatsoever, another example if it was needed of how well this vinyl has been preserved.

If any interference was to be heard it would be on 'Set The Controls...' given that it is such a quiet track.  I am pleased to say it is near immaculate.  The slow build up has a minimum number of mega light static sounds.  Honestly the audio is incredible!  There is no crackle and certainly no clicks or pops.  The clarity is just breathtaking and for this classic track to play as cleanly as this on any pressing never mind a 'Blue Columbia' first press is very rare.  I cannot stress how good this sounds.  Just a hint of static distortion in a couple of places but it is in no way intrusive and this is without doubt the most impressive version I have ever heard on a first pressing.  The fade out plays in impeccable style with no 'background.  The sonic quality is 'high end' and the separation of the instruments is also of the highest quality i.e. no blurring or muddiness to the sound.

This is the 'cleanest' version of 'Corporal Clegg' I have heard in many a year on a first pressing.  In fact it is better than on any later pressing!  As any collector knows this is always affected by distortion but there is a lot less here than usual.  There is only a small amount here but it is certainly not intrusive and it is a stunning version basically!  I often find you have to turn the volume down due to the 'sharpness' of the distortion but you don't need to do that here.  Suffice to say there is no crackle and no clicks or pops.

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There is no lead in static on S2 and then the intro on 'A Saucerful Of Secrets' has only the lightest of intermittent static.  It still plays with superb precision, the sound is so clear.  As the quiet intro progresses I did hear a handful of light ticks but they are certainly not loud or intrusive.  This is a 50 year old vinyl after all!  This is still one of the 'cleanest' intros I have heard in a long time.  As it volume builds the quality is stunning and there is barely any distortion on the top end.  As it ends...complete silence - wow!  Then as the drum section begins there is no static, the clarity is absolutely incredible!  This is where you can really tell the difference between the mono and stereo sound.  The drums here are so much louder in the mix, more powerful.  As it continues there is perhaps a little distortion on the top level but of course that may be because I am playing it through my stereo system.  There is NO other interference and this psychedelic section is very impressive.  The organ section then begins in sublime fashion with only the odd mega light static sound but again no clicks or pops.  The audio immediately following is just so clean and 'new' sounding, I cannot describe how good it is!  As it builds there is a minimal hint of static on the top level but this is NOT crackle, it is so light and I only mention it to be complete in my grading.  This is without doubt the most spectacular organ section I have heard for many a year.  Once the choral section is underway there is some static distortion on the top end but it still plays very clearly.  It does increase towards the end but again this may be due to the aforementioned reason.  Overall this is a superb version of this classic title track.

'See-Saw' has very clear audio from the outset with no 'background'.  A hint of distortion on the top end again as it progresses but totally non-intrusive.  No sign of any clicks or pops!  The clarity throughout is again of a very high standard.  Sometimes I think I exaggerate the distortion issue as it could well disappear when played through a mono set up as it should be.  Don't get me wrong this is still a sublime version and I'm sure many would grade it more highly.  The fade out plays with perfect precision with not even a single dust tick.

The intro on 'Jugband Blues' is absolutely Mint!  The clarity and definition is fantastic and I am very pleased to say standard does not decrease.  This is the best version I have ever heard without doubt....on any pressing!  The quiet mid section plays in impeccable style with no 'background and whilst the brass section has only a mild hint of distortion on the top level the vocal end section can only be graded as Mint the quality is just stunning.  Indeed the silent section leading into the acoustic guitar part is totally silent preceding the vocal is just jaw droppingly good!  What a superb end to a superb album.

In summary this is a final upgrade archive first pressing without question.  The clarity and range of the audio is first class and the fact there is barely any interference is practically unheard of on such a rare pressing.  With almost complete silence in the dead wax between every track the audio on offer here will not disappoint and together with a very impressive flipback cover this will add to any 'high end' collection.

The Cover

The laminated G&L cover is in lovely condition for such a rare pressing and the top edge and thin pinched spine have no rub marks at all.  The bottom edge has only a couple of small marks.  There is a little corner wear the most obvious of which is by the bottom opening edge.  The opening edge itself has a minimal amount of handling wear.  The laminate on the front cover is very clean and has no splits just a handful of minor creases.  The back cover is very clean and the flipbacks have no staining whatsoever, just a few small creases and one little white mark. There are no markings on the back and when you consider how poor many of them are this is certainly one of the 'cleanest' you will find.  The mono catalogue number can be seen top right.

Inner sleeve

The original die-cut inner has no splits, tears or marking just some light creasing.  Amongst the 16 LPs it is advertising are 'Piper' and 'Sgt Peppers'.  A superb example.

The labels

The 'Blue Columbia' labels are in great condition with no marking or writing and only a minimal amount of spindle wear.

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

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SX 6258 // XAX 3633 - 1 / XAX 3634 - 1 // H 1 / O 1  2

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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