PINK FLOYD: PIPER (SUPERB UK COLUMBIA STEREO)

	£		85
	$		113

This is a gorgeous well cared for little played UK 'true second pressing' stereo copy of The Piper at the Gates of Dawn by The Pink Floyd on Columbia (SCX 6157) in its beautiful laminated 'File under Pop Groups' flipback sleeve. With original blue and black stereo pressings of Piper now approaching the one thousand pound mark, this quality heavyweight second pressing could be your preferred route to acquiring the unique warm sound of an early copy of Piper on stereo to complement your mint mono original!

This example is in such lovely condition that you could probably count the number of plays on one hand, though of course I cannot be sure of this. Certainly these fine black and silver 'one-box' Columbia labels show little evidence of any spindle activity and definitely no sign of any spindle 'wear' whatsoever (please check out my photos to substantiate this). Here is a superbly performing and under-used 160g slab of early vinyl.

The stereo sound and separation from this perfectly flat heavyweight disc is just incredible - vibrant and dynamic. I doubt there is a more satisfying way of appreciating this most imaginative album than on little played early heavyweight vinyl such as this. On my system it is as though you are there in the studio with the band. Just check out the silent run-in leading to the Morse code build-up of Astrominy Domine, or on side two the equally silent run-in that is suddenly shattered by the explosive opening notes of Interstellar Overdrive. No-one had heard anything like this in 1967 ... and yet the album remains just as beguiling today. Piper is packed with imaginative and unusual effects and techniques ... an aural tour-de-force that is both astral yet full of guts. There are more ideas on any single one of these tracks then there are on most other complete albums, and on this gorgeous hardly played second press you can apperciate every one of them.

This true second pressing one-box Columbia copy features YAX 3419-1 and YAX 3420-1 matrices and 1/1 stampers. In fact this is such an early pressing that the front laminated 'Made and printed in Gt. Britain' Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd cover even states serial numbers for both mono and stereo copies ('SX 6157/SCX 6157').

The laminated front of the sleeve remains mirror glossy and bright, retaining all its original colour and shine, with a noticeably wider than normal unlaminated leading edge running alongside the beautifully straight and strong opening edge, and a slight area of rubbing at the top spinal corner. The predominantly white unlaminated flipback rear is remarkably clean and bright for its age, with very little sign of soiling. There is just an impression of the disc within, from say 11-0-clock to 1-0-clock, and evidence of some residue along the unlaminated edges of the flipbacks, as well as a small indecipherable stamper print at the bottom righthand corner of the rear (possibly from EMI or the shop) but this is a remarkably well kept example of a rare original flipback sleeve. The edges are all straight and true, the opening edge strong and unfeathered, the spine straight and true (correctly pinched at top and bottom) and the spinal text is all perfectly readable. There are just two or three smallish creases for the discerning eye to detect, and no rips, tears or any other signs of abuse whatsoever. In summary therefore this is a lovely desirable example of a rare early laminated flipback Piper sleeve which comfortably grades EX.

The thick slab of quality Columbia vinyl has also been well cared for. Both sides of the vinyl show up very few marks indeed, even when examined closely under harsh halogen lighting. This record, one of the most creative and intelligent psychedelic albums of the 1960s, plays as well as it looks with brightness and clarity. Easily attaining a grade of EX, this is an obvious item for the connoisseur.

Like my contemporaneous copy of S. F. Sorrow also currently listed, this copy of Piper comes complete with its correct original and short-lived 'EMI advertising' inner sleeve promoting The Beatles' 'presentation box with book' copies of Let It Be (PXS 1).

Hopefully you can see from my pictures and description that disc and cover have clearly been treasured over the years.

I have placed what I consider to be a reasonable reserve price on this lovely item as I would prefer it to go to an appreciative collector.

Good luck then if you are bidding (if bidding from outside of the UK please contact me to request postage costs etc). I try to be meticulous with my descriptions - be assured that I do not try to pass off worn out albums as near mint. Swift payment required at end of auction please.

ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER ITEMS (I am currently listing some lovely '60s and '70s albums for your consideration, including a similar condition true second pressing of S. F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things on one-box Columbia which you may also be interested in).