ULTRA RARE Two single sided UK Decca factory sample test pressings, one still sealed
SXL 2302 Szell and the London Symphony Orchestra Handel Suite for Royal Fireworks Suite from the Water Music Two single-sided grooved 145g test pressings, made before the LP was commercially issued in 1962 Fireworks music: Vinyl is NM, good gloss, looks unplayed. Mother: ZAL 5286-2E Water Music is still sealed in original inner sleeve, with gummed tab at top unbroken. Mother ZAL 5285-2E Play-tested Fireworks side only EX superb sound, no distortion or wear, quiet surfaces, superb I cannot guarantee playing condition of sealed pressing but it can be reasonably assumed to be Mint. Labels NM no spindle trails Housed in mono sleeve - often the case with these UK Decca early stereo test pressings, as they were usually pressed before the stereo sleeve was available see my other listing of SXL 2212 factory sample Condition of front-laminated flipback sleeve is VG all intact back slightly dirty, some edge creases, ringwear and loss of laminate to front - see photo Original thick cartridge paper Decca mono issue inner sleeves EX test pressings of this date were usually put into these sleevesPayment please within seven days of auction ending foreign bidders please wait for invoice. Note: no return on this item if seal is broken.
Please contact me if you are intending to bid on further LPs.
These LPs are all from my personal collection, which has grown much too large, and so I am thinning down, as I won t be able to listen to all of them in one lifetime. I will be putting up for auction mainly classical LPs from the advent of LP in the early 1950s until the 1980s, but principally early stereos late 50s and 60s , rare repertoire, and often first or early pressings. There will also be some 1960s-80s rock, pop, blues and jazz.
The description will state if the LPs have been fully auditioned for rarer material, or when the visual grading is unclear ,spot-auditioned, or if not otherwise stated, just visually graded.
For listening tests, stereo LPs are played either on LP12/Ekos/Dynavector Karat17D2 or Garrard 301/SME 3009/Denon DL103R, while monos are tested on Thorens TD160/SME 3009/Denon DL102, all through Quad QC24/Quad IIs/ESL63 system . Visual grading is under tungsten-halogen spotlight or direct sunlight when available in England
A few LPs will have been professionally cleaned, and this will be stated in the description. In my experience, most used LPs will benefit from professional cleaning which reduces background surface noise and often removes many of the pops and clicks, especially when these are due to debris, grease etc on the surface.
GRADING obviously slightly subjective and often dependent on original pressing and vinyl quality - see description of each LP for more detail.
Mint Only used for sealed and unopened records which may of course have pressing defects which are not visible until unsealed .
NM Visually perfect, no scuffs or other marks, and plays without any problems, and barely audible surface noise depending on date and pressing . No spindle trails on label. Jacket sleeve or box will be almost perfect.
EX The occasional extremely light mark, fingernail scuffs etc that should not make any difference to the sound, possibly a few spindle trails on the label. Playback should be similar to NM. Jacket or box may have very minor defects such as slight creases, or ring-wear but these will be not very noticeable
EX Only one or two very minor marks that might give the occasional low level pop or click but no serious scuffs or scratches and the record should play without any distortion or serious problems. Surface noise may be slightly more apparent than NM but still not at all distracting. Jacket or box may have some minor defects, slight distortions or edge knocks, small amount of discolouration or slight laminate peel etc.
VG Minor surface marks that will give occasional background noise or a few repeating click and pops for a short period, but on the whole the record should play without serious problems, and will still be enjoyable to listen to. Sleeve or box may have noticeable defects laminate peel or loss, small edge splits or repaired tears, staining or discoloration, slight sticker damage etc , but no major tears, losses, or bends.
VG: There are marks that will cause some deterioration in the sound, such as repeating clicks from shallow scratches, or higher levels of background noise but this will not be serious enough to cause a major distraction to the listener. Very slight inner groove or side-end distortion may be present on loud passages. Sleeve or box might have splits repaired or otherwise , pronounced ring-wear, tears, sticker damage, writing,or noticeable creases or bends.
Only very rare records will be offered for sale in less than VG condition the description will give details of all the defects in such cases.
Postal charges:
Calculated by weight, including packaging
UK: Royal Mail signed-for 1st class insured up to 50
up to 1kg normally 1-3 LPs 4.00
up to 2kg normally 4-7 LPs 6.50
Over 2kg, Parcelforce Express 48 prices insured up to 100 :
Up to 5kg 13
Up to 10kg 16
Additional insurance can be purchased, please ask for a quote.
Europe Air Mail insured up to 20 :
1 LP 6.00
2 LP 8.00
3 LP 10.00
4 LP 12.00
5 LP 14.00
Rest of the World Standard air mail insured up to 20 :
1 LP 8.00
2 LP 10.00
3 LP 13.00
4 LP 16.00
5 LP 20.00
International Signed-for or tracked service, add 5 EU or 5.50 rest of world which also gives insurance up to 50, or add 8 for insurance up to 250.
Larger quantities, please ask for a quote.
Boxed sets - the box generally adds the weight of one extra LP. Please remember that earlier pressings will usually weigh more than later ones some early mono LPs are more than 200g .
For all packages insurance is required and I can provide a quote for higher value packages over 250 . I will always retain proof of postage.
LPs will be well packed, with extra stiffeners, and with the LP removed from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits.
Honest mistakes in grading can occur occasionally, so if the LP is not as described, please contact me within 14 days to arrange return and refund buyer pays return postage - no return I d seal is broken.
