PRETTY THINGS S.F. Sorrow VERY RARE 1G/1G UK 1968 ULTIMATE 1st STEREO PRESS LP.

	£		311
	$		412

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 – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrived damaged in them at some time. More details on my packing nearer the end of the listing.

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 ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important to any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full 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. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers will now be blocked 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: PRETTY THINGS

Album Title: S.F. Sorrow.

Producer(s): Norman Smith.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: S.F. Sorrow is Born; Bracelets of Fingers; She Says Good Morning; Private Sorrow; Balloon Burning; Death.

Side 2: Baron Saturday; The Journey; I See You; Well of Destiny; Trust; Old Man Going; Loneliest Person.

Label/Format: Columbia – ultimate first stereo issue format as confirmed with no issue of debate with ultimate matrix, mother and stampers codes seen further down. The labels are matt with gently textured surfaces.

Label Conditions: Both still very clean and attractive, even though this record has been played a number of times, they are still retain a high degree of freshness and only the rim rubbing of the hole offers any minor visual distraction. I refuse to colour in such issues, it would be than obvious and what frankly is the point anyway? Both sides have moderate spindle marks in terms of number, but these are reassuringly fine and faint with modest to minimal visibility, mostly seen under angled light. As my pictures show, both labels are impressive.

Cat Number: SCX 6306.

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: 130 gram. A solid typical pressing for the stereo.

Rarity & Overview: Rare: and seldom seen or offered these days as an original. I regard this album as a true masterpiece – nothing less – within the genre, there are not to many better albums than this remarkable issue. It sold poorly, overlooked by most until some time later meaning first issues have always been sparse. This copy extra special being an ultimate first stereo issue with the most prized 1 G / 1 G mother and stamper codes. Thus I have no qualms in offering this copy that has been played a number of times – but from from excessively – and also with due care. Under bright angled light, there are numerous fine surface marks, but no penetrating scratches, hence this plays with no pops or clicks and any gentle surface sound or sound degrading, minimal and mild. In fact the vast majority of the legendary album plays impressively clean with a production, dynamic range and sonic delivery of the music that totally blew me away. Light crackle and minor (patchy) loss of focus on the final song on side one, the very difficult and complex ‘Death’ being the most noteable, but I truly fear, few copies will ever play this song ‘perfectly’ on a vintage original copy. I enjoyed this record immensely, sure there is enough here-and-there to politely remind it is a 46-year-old record being listened to, and it will not be for the perfectionist audiophiles who want nothing less than perfection at any cost. But his is way better than a ‘compromise’ copy, most of it sounds impressive and much still beyond even that. I also remind, I play-grade all my records on a Linn LP12 Sondek, still one of the world’s most clinical and revealing turntables – I would be sure if played on less revealing systems, this record would have little to fault overall – but that is purely opinion and not definitive, I only own the one turntable.

Likewise with the cover: It is still a very nice looking piece, but not perfect. The front near the bottom left edge area (only on the white) has four small scuffs (hopefully seen using the Ebay magnifier, it is what it is for). Also the back top edge has a fairly neat movement split repair which I did myself. I also think this is wise to stop it potentially widening in the future, it can be seen but is as neat as I could make it and has minimal detrimental affect on this still splendid cover, showing modestly and mostly viewed end-on. All else is nice and importantly looks the same with little more wear than most would realistically expect from a cover this great age. So a copy used, but not abused to any degree, it could be perfect for the collector wanting a rare original and to experience the incredible information and music in these original 1 G / 1 G pressed grooves. With future due care, this will be locked in this still quite strong condition. The sound still impressive, and at many times, quite stunning – ‘Balloon Burning’ totally blew me away – so-much-so, I even had to stop my typing to fully take in this incredible track, my whole body swathed in goosebumps from the sublime sound I was hearing, and I played this album at quite high volume so little could unnoticed. I never will offer any album I cannot listen too and enjoy myself, and this album easily passed the test. Do not expect perfection, but this still was a mightly impressive and pleasurable experience.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Original Year of Release: 1968

Matrix Nos: YAX 3738-1 / YAX 3739-1.

Mothers / Stampers: 1 G / 1 G [ultimate first press mothers and stampers. ‘G’ being the very first in the sequence of ‘GRAMOPH0NELTD]. Prized and very rare, these are the most prized for collectors as they invariably offer the very best sound possible (when new).

Musicians: Phil May - vocals; Dick Taylor - lead guitar, vocals; John Povey - organ, sitar, percussion, vocals; Wally Allen - bass, guitar, vocals, winds, piano; Skip Alan - drums; John ‘Twink’ Alder - drums.

Brief Info: S.F. Sorrow was the fourth Pretty Things album – and few, if anyone could have predicted the major shift in sound and sublime quality of the music that was to come. Generally regarded as the first rock ‘concept’ album, even pre-dating The Who’s ‘Tommy’. Based on the character Sebastian F. Sorrow from a story by Phil May, the band’s vocalist and guitarist. It follows the troubled life of the character from birth, war and love, eventual tragedy and madness – all sounds somewhat sombre but this is a stunning album and the band took a major step into a new era and direction. Now with a far more ‘progressive’ sound, many original fans were left confused and initially this wasn’t accepted. But time as crowned this daring album as a rock classic (nothing less than a masterpiece by myself) and most-all rock fans want this in their collection.

Recorded at Abbey Road Studios at the same time Syd Barrett’s Pink Floyd were recording their debut classic ‘A Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ and The Beatles ‘Sgt Pepper’. What a wonderful time of creativity with classic after classic being issued towards the latter part of the 1960s. Superbly produced by Norman Smith, this has mind-blowing sound, it experimented with early synthesisers including the Mellotron and other devices. What came out was little short of astonishing, but predictably failing to sell and is now highly sort-after and elusive. With that in mind, I have no qualms in offering one of slightly lower grade. I seldom go below Excellent but if the rare classics are available that still offer high sound quality and very respectable looks and attractive covers, so be it. This original UK-pressed stereo example is in fine condition, but has been played a number of times. The record has numerous fine surface marks seen under light, but no penetrating stylus scratches. The sound for most remains impressive with only gentle reminders of light wear here-and-there, and nothing serious at all. I consider a Very Good record of this type and era to still be a highly respectable example (properly graded as such), and still an enjoyable listen for many, less critical collectors. The record has been played a number of times but sound quality, for most, remains strong and highly enjoyable. Not quite for the audiophile purist but logic and pure common-sense has to prevail on records of this age. Quite frankly, if such records were not offered, rare classics would almost be lost altogether, and how many 1 G / 1 G first stereo issues will still even be found in pristine playing condition anyway? So both the record and cover have traces of age and very minor degrading, but it will still take a very impressive example to better this significantly. And to be frank, if I did not own a near mint later copy myself, this gem would be not even be offered at all – it would be proudly staying here.

Cover Grade and Format: VERY GOOD(++): and probably being harsh, this looks better still. A gatefold format with front and back laminate. This wraps around the closed edges and inside and ends on the four external interior flipbacks. The main inside is matt and smooth. Printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day. Includes the EMI sepia promotional inner sleeve.

Lamination – Front & Back: Both front and back are still attractive with the main issue four small scuffs near the bottom left corner of the front as mentioned already. The laminate retains very fine shine, especially the front, with fine freshness and clarity. Some dulling is seen on the more revealing black background back, but mostly under light. No lifting of peeling and most of any surface creasing quite light and mostly fine. Even the fine exposed strips on the entrance edge sides are clean with minimal wear or rubbing. Realistically, both front and back will not prove easy to find much better. In fact it will not prove easy to find at all these days – in terms of the more famous label-mate from the same era – Pink Floyd’s ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’, this will prove light years harder to find than that, so being spoilt for choice is hardly an option.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Very little to fault inside, my repair of the back top edge split just shows a little, but this is generally very clean, fresh and attractive. Importantly, those four large flipbacks are solid, crisp and very neat indeed with no damage or lifting. One real bonus: the ends have no stuck or pulled at all, that somewhat unusual as many covers of this type and design, many hav tears to the flipback ends which this has totally avoided.

Top Edges: A quite neat repair to a movement split on the central back edge. I did this myself as best as I could to avoid the risk of it widening in the future. That apart, both have not other issues of note and are straight.

Bottom Edges: One tiny chip to the back, little else. Full laminate retention, smooth and straight again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with very little wear, no trimming guaranteed. Any thickening or burring minimal and light as seen viewed more critically end-on. Record enters on the back edge.

Spine and Text: Solid, straight with minimal compression and folded squarely, so the edges meet up closely together and parallel. As per most of these, the laminate has peeled but the exposed spine edge surface has little wear. A natural fine central line has formed simply by opening, of course this passes through the text. All natural usage ‘wear’, the actual text has not rubbed much at all and is still mostly present and still easy to read as seen in close-up.

Corners: Any tip rubs are modestly small and light. The spine ones may appear eroded slightly, but all UK S.F. Sorrow covers I have seen have indented corners in manufacture, so this is a little deceptive. Fine shape is largely retained maybe with the odd small tip-in.

Cover Summary: A couple of flaws, but hardly major and this cover still looks impressive overall. Not for the purist or highly discerning, but it will still take some beating. Many collectors will still be proud to own this one.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(++): this is superb and it came to me with this record. I am more than realistic to suspect it may be a replacement for the like-to-like original as these inners are hardly difficult to find – I am simply being honest. That said, they are not so easy in this fabulous condition. To be honest, this is little short of as-made with no creasing, wear or edge splits. Original or not, it is the real-deal and simply enjoy it as it is – superb.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: VERY GOOD(++): this confirms exactly to the Record Collector guide for visual condition, the pluses more than worthy as this has NO penetrating stylus scratches, hence no pops or clicks worthy of special mention. This still does this classic album fine justice but clearly it is not for the more discerning or audiophile collector. It does have numerous light surface marks and fine hairlines seen under bright angled light, but no ugly scratches or scuffs. Clearly played a number of times, but with no careless arm drops or jolts and the playing surfaces in normal daylight viewing conditions, are still impressive for an album this great age. Rare or not, I will not offer records that do not offer fine sound quality and this for most is more than just ‘fine’. Most plays very well indeed and probably the vast majority up to very high levels. I am simply realistic enough to know the majority of 1960s records will sustain marks in their long lifetime, if we wait for visual and audio perfection all the time, such classics as this would rarely ever be offered at all. These thicker top quality pressings are more durable and sympathic than shallow, fine groove more modern records (e.g. mid-70s onwards). This is, for many, still a very pleasing visual copy that is clean with fine shine, intense black and very solidly pressed. When you see some records of this era played to destruction with deep scratches and grubby, fingermarked surfaces, it puts a lovely copy like this into real perspective. Some collectors have no objection to a few light surface sounds or gentle trace of ‘wear’, it can be regarded as part of the ‘old vinyl’ experience, I can and do subscribe to this view as long as it remains mild. I enjoyed this album to a high degree and for looks and sounds, this still delivers. It will please many 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: I have largely explained what this album is all about already, I do not wish to keep repeating myself. To sum this one up: this for it’s vast majority plays very well indeed, and a high percentage superbly with little to fault. There are gentle traces of mild wear here-and-there, mostly on the final track on side one – this his always a difficult track with complex sound and innermost band tracks often carry the burden. Any surface sound gentle, very infrequent and light, no tracking issues whatsoever and no pops or significant clicks heard. So most plays considerably above the visual grading with only lesser amout at the grade. The production of this album is sublime and this copy still has that immense and rare tingle-factor sensation for me – only the very best music and production can really hit the mark in that respect. I defy any rock lover not to be blown away by ‘Balloon Burning’, this is truely mind-blowing. There are moments of pure genius on this album, brilliant music and sound – no-one could have predicted Pretty Things would make a masterpiece like this. The same could be said of Love with ‘Forever Changes’. Sometimes things just click into place perfectly, and this one went beyond even that. There are few better experiences than an original S.F. Sorrow – it is almost a ‘lost’ masterpiece – it’s failure to sell still a mystery. Ahead of it’s time can be the only explanation really. As long as perfection is not expected – and Very Good(++) records are not ‘perfection’, but still strong. This is a record that thrill many collectors and fans alike. If perfection is mandatory, well you can search for the near impossible on vinyl (at almost certain massive cost), or listen to the digital versions. But nothing beats the sheer power and drama of the vinyl original, even with gentle blemishes. Before and after this legendary set, the band could never hit the pure brilliance of this again. A genuine 1 G / 1 G ultimate first stereo copy, and even with blemishes, usage and light wear – one to treasure forever.

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 - 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 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 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 total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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, 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). 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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? 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 FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, 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 and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). 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] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 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 £3 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’.