PINK FLOYD - Embryo – Picnic on Rare Orig 70 UK Harvest

	£		80
	$		95

Hi, I am Mike, now 50 – yes the big FIVE-O! Old enough to remember the golden era of original, high quality music, bands, artists and television.

Also records from the 1960s and 70s bought from the shops from new, I have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 37 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and elusive items now. 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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 reader – 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 its 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 taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee one hundred percent is exact colour matching for covers - this depends on the lighting at the time and that is out of my control, but I feel sure most items will be very close to the actual real item. 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 - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortophon 520 Mk II cartridge (tracks at 1.75 grams). Amps: Arcam 2 x 125W Pre-Power. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: All records are posted in professional mailers or boxes as deemed appropriate for the individual item with the record(s) 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. Records are posted with TWO (at least) massively thick stiffners for protection and also heavier protection if deemed necessary depending on the content. These stiffners are the thickest possible and custom supplied for ‘Oneadayrecords’ – these are NOT commercially available and you will not have seen thicker protection anywhere. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth 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. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if possible. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the cheapest and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional’ P&P. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.2 per percent based on over 2,000 items sold in over 5 years Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. Since the introduction of my ‘special’ stiffners it’s a rate of zero.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

Album Title: Picnic (A Breath of Fresh Air)

Track Listing: 1. Into the Fire (Deep Purple); 2. Mother Dear (Barclay James Harvest); 3. Embryo (Pink Floyd); 4. Twisted Track (The Battered Ornaments); 5. Glenlogie (Shirley & Dolly Collins); 6. The Good Mr Square (The Pretty Things); 7. Song of the Ages (Roy Harper); 8. The Worried Feeling (Bakerloo); 9. Eleanor’s Cake Which Ate Her (Kevin Ayers); 10. Again and Again (The Greatest Show on Earth); 11. Water (The Third Ear Band); 12. Terrapin (Syd Barrett); 13. A Glade Somewhere (Forest); 14. Golden Country Kingdom (Pete Brown and Piblokto); 15. Round and Round (Panama Limited Jug Band); 16. Black Sheep of the Family (Quatermass); 17. Postcards of Scarborough (Michael Chapman); 18. Maybe My Mind (Tea & Symphony); 19 Old Gopher (Edgar Broughton Band).

Cat Number: SHSS 1/2.

Label/Format: Harvest – Orig Pre-EMI format with ‘The Gramophone Co Ltd’ text on rims.

Label Conditions: All four are in supreme condition and the cleanest I have ever seen on this title. Spindle marks are the lightest you could imagine on a records this age: Side one (one small, very light indeed), Side two (possibly one but look very hard to see it), side three (one faint one only) and side four (three or four, very light again). Try finding these original Harvest labels better.

Cat Number: SHSS 1/2.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of these Records: 131 / 142 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Rarity: Scarce, I would think this was only available a fairly short time and never (as far as I know anyway) issued on CD. This classic Harvest sampler with it’s bizarre artwork is almost certainly unique to the vinyl format.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: SHSS 1 A-2, SHSS 1 B-1 and SHSS 2 A-1, SHSS 2 B-1

Stampers: 1 P / 1 A / 1 RR / 1 GH

Brief Artist & Album Info: No, not just another sampler, far from it, this picnic serves up a feast of entertainment from beginning to end. Every collector will know those interesting black and white Harvest advertising inner sleeves with those rather more obscure (and magnificent) early Harvest bands album covers printed on them. All the super rare ones that sold modestly (or less) between 1969-1970. This double sampler set has a track by them all and many actually feature the best track too from the representative album. It has a wonderfully unique Hipgnosis designed gatefold cover too, and like the early and elusive albums, this one shows up all too rarely these days. Not only great bands here, there are some mighty fine producers too including: Norman Smith, Andrew King, Peter Jenner, Gus Dudgeon and Johnathan Peel (yes the great John Peel). Apart from some superb progressive music by all the band’s, serious prog collectors want this set because it includes a rare Pink Floyd track - ‘Embryo’ - that was unique to this double set. It must rank as Floyd’s rarest song, never a single (or B-side), and not issued on any official album. It’s a lovely song too, written by Roger Waters, this would have been perfect on the More or Ummagumma albums, it was produced by Norman Smith. Delicate and atmospheric, I promise this elusive song will never be heard better and surpasses all the other copies of this album I have offered in the past. This track and all the others too for that matter play to perfection from two records that look hardly ever handled or played. The bands featured on this superb and highly collectable Harvest sampler are listed above with their appropriate track. Impressive eh? – I wish I had this lot to offer, but they show all too infrequently and usually trashed when they do. - I am a huge fan of this classic progressive label and I search for any item that is available. Don’t take this as an ordinary sampler, this is a very collectable set and should be included in any serious Harvest collection. This example is a very fine one: it has a cleaner, less worn cover than average and still includes it’s very original pre-decimal price sticker on the front. This had a recommended retail price of 29/11 which translated into modern currency, £1.49.5p. The two heavy pressed records are in fantastic condition and play brilliantly – easily the best sound I have heard from this title with every song playing clean and devoid of distortion – and this is never easy on this title. The Kevin Ayers, Floyd and Collins sisters always prove particularly difficult. Both could almost pass for new with just one small surface mark just visible on one side that has no sound, not bad for a 38-year-old double set is it?

Cover Grade and Format: EX, a gatefold format, laminated front and back, designed by Hipnosis. It was printed and made in England.

Cover Lamination, Front & Back: Still very clear with good shine and fully adhered with no blistering. The odd light mark just visible when viewed up close and some light pressmarks on the front, again practically invisible with normal viewing. I feel this cover is greatly enhanced by the original pre-71 pre-decimal price sticker, this is nice condition with just mildish darkening around the rim, clearly never removed or even picked at. This has largely avoided creasing but has one small one on the back, bottom right corner but few others of note. Both sides have record impressions that have darkened a little, a form of mild ringwear on a laminated cover I gues but few seem to avoid this. Double sets, two heavy records inside all these years, most will have it. Here it’s very light and mild indeed. Overall, both sides attractive and the somewhat sinister artwork will rarely be seen better.

Cover Gatefold Inner: Very clean and attractive with little to fault at all. Even the laminate ends at the top are very clean and these most always seem to attract grime.

Top Edges: Unworn.

Bottom Edges: As above bar one tiny rub.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Slightly darkened where the laminate ends short, again common on these types. The edges remain very sharp with no wear or feathering. Records entered on these right edges.

Spine and Text: Solid but fairly thin for a double set, straight, minimal compression and square with the right edges meeting up very close together. The word ‘PICNIC’ is fully intact and unworn under the solid spine laminate. A centre foldline has formed from the cover being opened but all will have it (unless unused and how likely is that?). A little laminate has peeled near the bottom corner area but the surface has not rubbed as a result.

Corners: A very small dink top left, shows just on the front and the odd tiny tip crease being somewhat critical. All the others show little wear with just tiny tip rubs only and most retain fine shape and definition.

Cover Summary: A good solid EX all round example of this scarce early Harvest 70’s cover, one that could prove quite difficult to find significantly better and that original price sticker I feel is a nice bonus for the connoisseur. This strong item should please many collectors.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: All four sides are N/M and a couple are probably even undergraded at that. These are very clean and shiny, pressed on heavy vinyl and remain a lovely intense black. Without doubt a copy hardly played and one most collectors will treasure.

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 snippetts 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: All 19 songs on this great set play superbly with practically nothing unwanted and on this set that’s very unusual to say the least. The Kevin Ayers and Third Ear Band tracks often suffer distortion and are quite prone to this – here there is none. The quieter folky songs also play supremely well too. For those who have just seen the inners and never the albums, Picnic gives a great insight into these lesser known, early and collectable Harvest artists. The delicate Pink Floyd song plays beautifully and the best I have ever heard bar none (it’s a quiet one) and it’s worthy of any price alone, why this was not made available elsewhere at the time remains a mystery to me. It’s very much in the ‘Cirrus Minor’ and ‘Cymbaline’ mould from More and is a hauntingly beautiful track. Most collectors will appreciate this set, a gateway to the early Harvest world, and it really is not that common to find with records like this. I regard this as the greatest sampler album efver made.

End Piece: A great introduction to some rare bands and tracks. A stunning array of cult talent, some classic songs and with the hugely important, unique Pink Floyd song, ‘Embryo’ it should appeal to the Floyd officianados too. Only rarely do samplers include ‘unique’ tracks and they seldom get better or more significant than this. Some of these originals are largely ‘lost’ now - how often will Pete Brown, Battered Ornaments, Bakerloo, GSOE, Forest, Panama Limited, Quatermass and Tea & Symphony items appear on vinyl these days? Its just great to hear them again on the format they originally were released on. This is NO ordinary sampler, it’s an important, even vital album in it’s own right, do not miss this one, unreservedly recommended.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

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

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. US; Australia; Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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.

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions for payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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 neccessarily 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’.