PINK FLOYD A Saucerful of Secrets RARE UK 1969 ONE-BOX EMI LABELS, SUPERB SOUND.

	£		157
	$		208

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all, and records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time as most record buyers will already know. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS including full side protection and bubble wrap, the records removed from the covers of course. All this very safe packing means I lose money on every box I post, but safe delivery is, and will always be paramount. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives. Also, I will pay for insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received if possible.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: PINK FLOYD

Album Title: A Saucerful of Secrets

Producer(s): Norman Smith

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Let There Be More Light; Remember a Day; Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun; Corporal Clegg.

­ Side 2: A Saucerful of Secrets; See-Saw; Jugband Blues.

Label/Format: Columbia – second label issue, one EMI box format with matt surfaces with a light texturing.

Label Conditions: Both superb, very clean, fresh and attractive with only a tiny few, light, faint spindle marks. This beautifully pressed heavyweight copy appears very little played (and with utmost care) and superbly pressed, and on this ultra challenging recording, this is best news possible.

Catalogue Number: SCX 6258

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 142 grams.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity and Overview: Firstly, this copy replaced the 1968 first label format which was only available relatively briefly, but the album quite sold well peaking at No 9 in the UK album charts. This was repressed in 1969 on the new single EMI box label format as seen in my pictures. A format that was to change again very quickly, adding the second box to the top of the label. These are arguably rarer than the very first issue copies that command massive prices, especially when found in this condition. This ‘second’ issue format still includes the laminated and flipbacked cover and is in very impressive all-round condition. This is a little-played stereo copy that was a delight to play-grade – and so few early copies are these days. A very difficult and challenging album for vinyl, some very quiet passages and complex sound, this so often wrecked by heavy or careless usage, often on the most basic equipment that tracked at massive weights, destroying the once lovely clear sound and details. This gem plays beautifully with hardly anything of note unwanted, both playing surfaces are almost immaculate – one fine mark on ‘Corporal Clegg’ does nothing – and no inherent pressing faults or distortion. Finding a first issue to match this for looks, sound, freshness and weight will prove beyond difficult – and almost for certain, very expensive. A record into its 49th year, this has defied the odds and survived in superb condition, I doubt if its seen light-of-day for decades, indeed the previous owner said he only played it a couple of times (and owned a quality hi-fi system). One of the early and very best early Pink Floyd spacy classics – for me, the golden era. A pleasure to hold, view and play, such copies from this era are rare in this condition and few were even pressed or sold on this new one box label variant that came and went almost unnoticed.

Original Year of Release: 1968 [this copy pressed in 1969]

Matrix Nos: YAX 3633-1 / YAX 3634-1 [these exactly the same as the first pressing]

Stamper Codes: 1 L / 1 T [these first mothers and very early stampers prove how early this copy is]

Principal Musicians: Roger Waters – bass guitar, lead vocals; David Gilmour – lead guitar, lead vocals, kazoo; Richard Wright – piano, organ, mellotron, vibraphone, lead vocals; Nick Mason – drums, percussion; Syd Barrett – rhythm guitar, vocals.

Brief Info: Pink Floyd’s second classic album that followed the groundbreaking debut ‘Piper at the Gates of Dawn’. It was the last to feature founding member Syd Barrett as his mental state was now in sad decline. This album has a more ‘progressive’ sound and continues the space-rock and psychedelic themes with more lengthy tracks. There is just one Syd Barrett song, the final track ‘Jugband Blues’. ‘Saucerful of Secrets’ is a somewhat uncommercial album, still too ‘out-there’ for many at the time, but is now regarded almost the equal of the legendary debut. It of course introduced Dave Gilmour, who is misspelt on the album cover (as Gilmore). Two brilliant songs really stand out: the hauntingly eerie and magnificent ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun’ and the pulsatingly powerful title song, that displays the brilliance of the early Pink Floyd sound. These early Floyd albums are incredibly special, but so very difficult to find in clean conditions – cover and record. Although a 1969 repressing, it is on the rare one box label variant and in the condition fans desire, I still consider the one-box copy the rarest made. If sound and condition is more important than a first label, this will please many, if not most collectors.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): a single format with front laminate, this wraps around all the closed edges on to three large rear external flipbacks. The back is matt and smooth. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse and still including the ‘Patents pending’ text. This includes the EMI promotional inner sleeve that promotes albums from the 1967 era including their legendary debut ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’.

Lamination & Front: Another classic piece of 1960s psychedelic art, and this front does is near maximum justice. It retains superb shine, freshness and clarity with any hint of rim impression or dulling minimal and faint under light, this too with a very solidly pressed record inside for around 49 years. Yes, a few ultra fine, light edge hairline surface creases that register little, and a couple of very fine half moons that show little either. No sticker issues or fading, and no traces of lifting at all. A small tip rub on the top left, and a tiny trace on the bottom right (being critical). This a superb front cover to hold and admire, and certainly few clues of its genuine age.

Cover Back: The more wear-prone back for obvious reasons, has very little to fault and complements the gorgeous front perfectly. The revealing matt black surface of the main panel has minimal traces of any handling, that is a huge plus, as when fingermarks are applied, they are nigh-on impossible to remove, any blemishes tiny and faint. The fine white outline credit type is quite light in manufacture, that purely natural, often a trait on ink flow whilst being printed and hardly unusual. More unusually, this ruthless and difficult surface has barely any rubbing, creasing or ring wear, put simply – it looks impressive as-seen. All three flipbacks are solid and very neat indeed with no burring to their ends. There is just a tiny laminate peel on the bottom one near one end that registers little with a few gentle hairline creases on the laminate that few can hope to avoid totally. That apart all three are superb again. A very difficult back that will prove hard to fine much better as well.

Top Edge:Thin, but still very straight. A small central crack/thin, but not split and registering little as it falls on the white part of the ‘K’ letter that ends on this top edge detail.

Bottom Edge: Practically perfect.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, still mostly sharp with any thickening little and very light as seen viewed end-on. Record enters on this vulnerable edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: Again in superb condition, solid and straight with barely any compression, the ends very gently pinched in manufacture. All text is pristine perfect, just centred a little low in manufacture as-seen. Note the early error also – ‘Pinkfloyd’, as a one-word band name, emphasising again, how early this cover was manufactured.

Corners: Just the one small rub on the top front left tip of any real note. Better than excellent shape retained with no knocks or creasing.

Cover Summary: A very impressive all-round example of this still elusive ‘first generation’ stereo cover, one that could prove very difficult to find much better. With any visual blemishes minimal and very light, this beautiful item should please many, if not most collectors with so few clues to it’s age and vintage.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): arguably even better. A superb EMI promotional unlined inner. This has hardly aged at all with minimal creasing and no edge splits or repairs. Minimal traces of any discolouration, a little near the seam adhesive areas that is rarely avoided as barest minimum, these are seldom seen much better. As-stated, this promotes albums from 1967 including their own debut album and ‘Sgt Pepper’, and carries the ‘PATENTS APPLIED FOR’ text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+) / NEAR MINT: one fine superficial mark on ‘Corporal Clegg’ as stated above, it does nothing whatsoever. A beautiful age-defying visual copy that is very clean with superb shine and very solidly pressed on pure, high-quality EMI vinyl. A copy appearing very little played, quickly reiterated by its one previous owner who purchased it new. Any surface traces minimal, few and faint under light. No penetrating stylus scratches, viewed in average room light, barely anything even registers, few available still very early copies will have fewer visual blemishes, this is a truly beautifully record. Visually a super example that should please many, if not most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This quality, less mass-produced 1969 pressed record offers beautiful sound and plays up to, and most all even beyond it’s high visual grading with very little to fault at all. That is something I can rarely state on this most difficult and challenging album. Complex sound and intensity, so many, if not most were ruined by old basic record players, often heavy-tracking Dansettes or the like – those still very much used into the 1970s and beyond. Any blemishes are minimal, this has clearly not suffered any such mistreatment, and I regard this as possibly the most difficult and challenging album in the Pink Floyd catalogue – but being honest, all the early ones especially are hard. This copy offers clear, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds are minimal indeed and the general lack of on the most difficult songs and passages is highly unusual. I have literally heard the title song destroyed by distortion, crackle and pressing noises even on the cleanest looking copy, this one of the best-sounding early copies I have heard – the detail, dynamics and presentation of the material is simply sublime – it made my LP12 Sondek ‘sing’. The stunning percussion and that beautiful organ near the end all sound amazing and images beautifully in stereo. All this too being played on a revealing system as listed further down. No loud pops or pressing issues and tracking is effortless*. I can hardly reiterate enough just how challenging and difficult this album is. Even the kazoo on ‘Corporal Clegg’ is focused and sharp with incredible sonic delivery of the sound, again this often ruined with crackle and loss of focus being on the inner-most band of the disc. Both channels are clean and sharp, the delivery of the music immense. Clearly well stored and little handled within a non-smoking environment. I truly consider ‘perfection’ on this album a near impossibility, I have yet to hear a total ‘silent’ example, but this offers little but high quality clear and clean sound that was a joy to play. It will, I am certain, prove very difficult to find significantly better and merits my highest recommendation. If first labels are not an issue, and the music needs to be of the highest standard, this should thrill most fans and collectors – and this arguably being on the rarest label variant of all.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams. Records are a ‘contact’ format, and few will avoid the odd minor sound blemish.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade – visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are the item being offered with no digital enhancements. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking – any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 805 Nautilus (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable) with REL subwoofer. All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 17­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.