Donovan

“A GIFT FROM A FLOWER TO A GARDEN”

1968 Original Stereo pressing

BOXED

Double LP with all inserts

PYE NSPL 20000

EARLIEST POSSIBLE

MATRIX & STAMPER NUMBERS  

Most copies of this LP tend to be Mono versions, which were much more common in the UK at the time. Stereo pressings are much rarer as, in most cases, these had to be specifically ordered from the manufacturers by retailers and often took weeks/months to be delivered. Most people therefore settled for Mono pressings.

Light blue label with black text and a small Pye Records logo at the top. Dark blue two-pieced box. The front cover is lilac with a multi-coloured picture of Donovan standing on the coast amongst the rushes, adorned in livery, clutching at a bouquet of peacock feathers. It does not have the original ‘PYE stereo’ sticker in the top left corner - this has been lost over time. These stereo stickers were used because the inner lyric sheet (affixed to the inside of the box) was pre-printed with a 'mono' symbol - because it was anticipated that the bulk of sales in 1968 would be for MONO versions. The rear of the box has a photograph of Donovan with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

On the inside of the front box are the lyrics to the first album printed on a light green background, and a poem from Donovan: “Oh, what a Dawn Youth is Rising to”. The inside of the back box has a green-brown background and a picture of Donovan sitting in a boat on a lilly covered river. Around the photograph are drawings of children playing and the title `For Little Ones'.  

Included inside is an orange folder containing twelve inserts for the twelve songs on the second record. Each is a slightly different colour and has the lyrics with a drawing illustrating the song. Every one is an interpretation of Donovan's poetry.  The illustrations are by Mick Taylor and Sheena McCall and the photographic design is by Karl Ferris, all under the art direction of Sid Maurer. Ashley Kozak served as executive producer.

Matrix and stampers:

Record 1: NSPL 20000/1
Side 1: NSPL 20000A-1G  + A/1 stamper
Side 2: NSPL 20000-B-1G + A/KT stamper
Record 2: NSPL 20000/2
Side 1: NSPL 20000-C-1G + B/1 stamper
Side 2: NSPL 20000-D-1G + H/1 stamper

Box: Excellent. No writings or doodles. Unlike most of these box sets, the corners have not split! Some wear rubbing to sides/corners.

Vinyl: Thick heavy duty vinyl - looks to be in Excellent condition for its age. Not played for many years - would benefit from a light clean.

12 Inserts + folder: Excellent+.

Labels: Near MINT

£5 (UK)

£7.50 (EUROPE)

£10 (REST OF THE WORLD)

Mint - The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality.

Excellent - The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality.

Very Good - The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional scratch.

Good - The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches.

Fair - The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise, it may even jump.

Poor - The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc

Bad - The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler.