SAX 2528 - Frank: Four Symphonic Poems - Cluytens, Blue/silver label EX/EX

	£		237
	$		314

Franck: Four Symphonic Poems - Andre Cluytens, Belgian National Orchestra, 1964

Columbia SAX 2828 33rpm Stereo LP on the blue & silver labe

This is a wonderful sounding copy in an overall excellent condition with just a few ultra-minuscule signs of play. It is quite possible that only side one has been played as is explained below. The sound quality is very rich with much dimension and clarity and no distortion whatsoever, while the quiet sections are deeply quiet with hardly any discernable background crackle anywhere. And apart from a few 'ticks', also mostly found in track 1 in the moderately loud sections, the record plays very well indeed. But please bear in mind that this record probably has not been played for decades, so a deep clean with the appropriate means is recommended. 


Matrix stampings  An early pressing [1G/2G] on the blue and silver label with the following matrix marks:

Side 1: YLX 1117 21B [6 o'clock position], M6 230988 [12 o'clock position]
Side 2: YLX 1118 21B [6 o'clock position], M6 230989 [12 o'clock position]

Vinyl
Side 1: EX. Bright, glossy surface with a very small number very-very fine surface hairline marks from sleeve retrieval and insertion - no scratches or marks, although there is just after 3.20 mins a series of six light 'ticks', which are due to a probable manufacturing surface blemish as this is definitely not a mark or a scratch from handling - a very common defect, even on discs from premium manufacturers of this period. There are also a few more ticks throughout rest of this track, yet these are all isolated from one another as well as being light and unobtrusive. Track 2 has a few distant and isolated ticks along with a moe audible 'click' near the beginning, but this is quickly forgotten about within the majesty and splendour of the recording as one certainly does become immersed within a particularly spectacular soundscape.

Side2: EX+. As side 1, a bright and glossy surface with a very small number of those very-very fine hairline surface marks from sleeve retrieval and insertion - no scratches or other kinds of marks or blemishes that I can see. There are a few isolated  'ticks' here and there as well as a feint hint of a spindle trail on the label - please see photo as I have tried to show this by tilting the label. Despite the few ticks I would say this side is as near perfect as one could possibly expect to hope for on pre 1965 vinyl pressing, and maybe even better if a deep clean were performed.

Labels

Side 1: EX+, bright and clear - I can't see any degree of spindle trials or any other kind of mark

Side 2: EX, bright and clear - a feint hint of a spindle trail - please see photo as I have tried to show this by tilting the label in the light.


Laminated outer sleeve VG+: slightly age-toned with neat edges and sharp opening edge; light bumps and wear to three corner tips with the fourth or front upper left corner having more of a crushed tip [please see photo], and there is a modest ring impression.


Inner sleeve original poly-lined sleeve is age-toned, but is in neat and clean, condition.


*****

AUCTION WINNERS PLEASE NOTE  Please wait for the invoice - a selection of delivery costs with the appropriate insurance is offered to cover a range of possible final sale prices - please wait for the invoice that will show the appropriate delivery cost instead of immediately proceeding to pay straight after the sale. Should the buyer beat me to it and choose a delivery option with inadequate insurance cover, I will amend and re-issue the invoice as necessary.

Inspection of records  I use a truth-revealing point source light, ie. sunlight, to expose any likely-looking audible flaws on any record I list. If I find any such flaws, then a description of these is provided after a test-play of the relevant side. I will also test-play records on request if required. If an inspection reveals no such likely-looking flaws and that the side is very clear, glossy, and showing either very few or no signs of play, then I will grade that side as either EX or NM, depending on the level of the most minuscule of surface marks.  However with such grades, please bear in mind that there may still be a few noticeable isolated 'ticks' or 'pops' here and there, and/or occasional mild surface noise - records in such condition yet not been played for decades can still accumulate noise, although a deep-groove clean with the appropriate means should make things silent once again.  While any record I list will appear clean, I would advise the purchaser to give their purchases a good clean with the approprite means [although they do have a careful clean before any test-play]. For test-playing, a Pioneer PL-L1000 turntable fitted with either - depending on record condition - a Denon DL-160 cartridge or an AT95e cartridge is used.
Packaging  Records are wrapped and sent within thick, sturdy double-walled card arranged at cross-grain to one another for maximum rigidity - I will never use flimsy mailers made out of thin card. Corners of the package will also be made further rigid and well clear of the corners of the record's outer sleeve.
I will also remove the disc from the outer sleeve before packing in order to prevent ring impression and splits to the outer sleeve.

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PLEASE NOTE: I am not in the practice of profiting from delivery costs, I only add an extra 50p on top of Royal Mail delivery costs to cover the cost of high quality packaging materials. The delivery rates shown for destinations are realistic and close to what I actually pay.
Delivery cost

If final sale price is less than £20.00 the shipping cost will be:

UK

Europe

Royal Mail World Zone 1

Royal Mail World Zone 2

£4.05

£8.45

£12.15

£12.90

If final sale price is more than £20.00, then shipping with tracking & insurance cover up to £50.00 will cost:

UK

Europe

Royal Mail World Zone 1

Royal Mail World Zone 2

£5.05

£12.55

£16.30

£17.00

If final sale price is greater than £50.00, then the cost of enhanced insurance cover will be added to invoice, which will be approximately £2.50 - £8.00, depending on final sale price above £50.