The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

(Stereo 1st press G1/G1 stampers - Blue/Black Columbia Labels)

The holy grail of Pink Floyd pressings!  This vinyl was pressed in fewer numbers than the mono version so is generally considered more collectable.  It also has the mega rare G1/G1 stampers on each side and is therefore one of the first ever produced.  Might even be the first of the printing press!  Only 300-500 records were produced with each stamper so it is obvious just how rare this stunning LP is.  These don't often turn up for sale and certainly not in this condition.

  This also has the extremely rare Stereo cover without the 'File Under Popular' on the flipback and again has been very well preserved down the years.  No writing or marking anywhere!  I have play tested every second so as to give an honest and complete grading that this iconic album deserves.

YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // G1 / G1

The audio on Side One is Ex+ (Near Mint in some sections)

The audio on S2 is Ex (Ex+ in some sections / one 10 second section on 'Astronomy Domine' is VG+)

The laminated cover is Ex-

Visual grading

For 50+ years this vinyl has the wow factor!  So often heavily scratched/marked this G1/G1 record has maintained its 'look' so incredibly well.  S1 in particular is stunning and whilst there are a small number of hairlines they are very faint and there are certainly no scratches.  Quite honestly at first glance it looks as new and it still has a lovely glossy sheen.  It is only when you look under a strong bright light that the minor sleeve removal hairlines become apparent.  S2 does have one very small scuff mark and three longer faint hairlines but again no scratches and for its age this side is an excellent example of this mega rare vinyl.  I don't like to use the word 'rare' too often but this record is without doubt one of the rarest and most collectable of all Floyd LPs as it has the mega rare G1/G1 stampers.  Visually (and audibly!) this does not disappoint.

Play grading  

The intro on 'Astronomy Domine' begins superbly with a minimum of static and just gets better!  This vinyl has been so well preserved and that is reflected in the audio.  The overall depth of the recording on this classic resonates with stunning clarity and there are no clicks, pops or crackle and there is only a little background static in the one quiet section.  Another impressive feature is that you can turn up the volume without fear of distortion.  The audio separation is just incredible and this is a breathtaking start to the album.

'Lucifer Sam' is super impressive from the get go with no 'background' at all.  The rhythm section here is paramount and the bass and drums play so clearly it really was a delight to listen to.  Perhaps a little distortion on the top end of the vocal but it is certainly not intrusive.

The intro on 'Matilda Mother' has such astounding clarity you're thinking 'can this be a 50 year old record'?!  The remainder plays to the same exacting standard and again there is no interference.  Amazingly there is no 'background' on the fade out.

There is a touch of static at the start of 'Flaming' but it is very minimal.  I would say there is a minor amount of distortion on the vocal but as any Floyd aficionado knows this is the way it was produced and recorded and isn't an audio 'problem' in any way.  Again there are no clicks or pops and certainly no intrusive crackle.  This track plays with very clear sound and once more I am hugely impressed at the clarity and warmth of the audio here.

'Pow R. Toc H' - wow!  From the very first note the audio is stunning.  This is a real test of the vinyl as there are a number of quiet sections and I'm glad to say it passes with flying colours!  The piano section at the start plays with sublime quality and no interference whatsoever.  The louder section that follows has a bare minimum of static on the top level, hardly worth mentioning really, and thereafter the audio is of a very high standard...again.  There is some mega light static on the quiet section towards the end but this instrumental is a real standout and plays with wonderful definition and depth once more.

Again the final track 'Take Up Thy Stethoscope And Walk' is prone to distortion but this is without doubt the 'cleanest' version I have heard on a first stereo pressing and I repeat this is a G1/G1 first pressing!  Yes there is some distortion but it is in no way high in the mix like it so often is.  The vast majority of the track plays extremely well and this is a suitably stunning end to a side playing with sublime quality from start to finish.

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'Interstellar Overdrive' has hardly any static on the intro but there is one 'tsssk' type sound that lasts for a millisecond.  It then proceeds to play with real dynamic power and range.  However, due to the small scuff mark about two minutes in there are 6 very dull pop type sounds but they are during a very loud section of the music so they really are not that obvious.  Thereafter this classic plays with no other interference and is a remarkable listen.  It plays so clearly and is free of any crackle, clicks etc and aside from that ten second section the audio is of an exemplary standard.  The quieter interludes have incredible clarity, free of any obvious background, and the end section plays with fantastic power and not a hint of distortion.

'The Gnome' is a highlight and plays with real precision all the way through.  There is no 'background' to speak of and this is definitely one of the best versions I have ever heard.  Again it displays great definition and you forget you are listening to a 50+ year old record.  An absolute stunner!

'Chapter 24' plays very well but with more distortion on the vocal and I would say it is a more obvious towards the end.  Distortion on this track is a common occurrence but it remains an excellent listen and there was not one single click or pop during the playback.  Very quiet background static here and there but nothing that detracts from the audio.  The quiet fade out plays supremely well.

The quiet intro on 'The Scarecrow' is stunning, no other description for it.  It plays 'as new' and the remainder does not disappoint either.  This truly is a superb rendition of this track and the end section in particular plays with wonderful depth and precision.  Just a couple of ticks literally at the end.

The classic 'Bike' ends the album with very clear audio and aside from a little ubiquitous distortion on the vocal this is a very 'clean' version.  Some light static prior to the 'bells' but a great version nonetheless.  The audio from then on through to the 'duck' section plays incredibly well and is a fitting finale to this first G1/G1 pressing.

In summary this is a stunning first pressing.  The audio plays with exceptional clarity for the vast majority and for there to be only one obvious brief section of interference on such an iconic LP is a rarity.  Most of these were played to death in the late 60s, taken to parties etc but this one has survived the time extremely well.  For this mega rare vinyl to have no crackle is incredible and there is only a minor (and I mean minor!) hint of light static here and there.  Visually so impressive also this would be a superb addition to any 'rare' Floyd Collection.  So few of these rare covers exist today and especially in this condition.  This is one for the avid collector!

Cover

The very rare laminated E.J. Day cover, without the 'File Under Popular' is extremely clean and has been so well preserved down the decades.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in superb order with no rubbing at all which is unbelievable when you consider the age of this cover.  There is so little shelf wear!  The top and bottom of the spine has hardly any rubbing and the two corners of the opening edge have some wear but not an excessive amount.  The opening edge itself is very clean with only a minor amount of handling wear.  The laminate is in excellent condition with no splits or lifting but there are some small creases around the edges and a little more creasing on the right hand side in the centre section towards the opening edge.  It is worth repeating though that is has been remarkably well maintained over the last 50 years and is infinitely better than so many you see.

As can be seen the flipbacks are exceptionally clean with only a small number of mega faint creases and the edges are in wonderful condition with none of the severe staining that you so often see.  Yes there is a little but it is only minor and I re-iterate this is the super rare stereo cover with no 'File Under Popular' - very few are found today and certainly not in this condition.  The grey background is also in lovely condition and is unmarked and there are only a couple of barely visible creases on the left and a little shelf on the opening edge.  There is no writing etc on this cover anywhere!  I have only seen three or four of these covers in all my years and this is without doubt the most impressive one I have ever owned.  Not perfect but any shelf wear is superficial and this is so very close to deserving an Ex grading but I will err on the side of caution and grade it as Ex-.

Inner sleeve

This has the original first ever EMI sleeve including 'Both Sides of Herman's Hermits' and 'The Beatles Revolver' amongst others.  It has no splits, just one tiny 'nick' on the top edge and very light creasing only.  Rare to be found with the original sleeve!

The labels

The famous Blue/Black Columbia labels are in lovely condition and yes no writing or marking again!  There is some spindle wear but, I hasten to add, not a great deal and what you can see is inside the inner circle area.  The blue of the Columbia title/trademark remains strong and vibrant with no fading.  The KT tax stamp is on the S1 label.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

YAX 3419 - 1 / YAX 3420 - 1 // G1 / G1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

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