ULTRA RARE - 2 Single-sided UK Decca factory sample test pressings in NM- condition. One of the earliest Decca stereo recordings. Stunning
First issue UK Decca edge-grooved test pressings ED1 Riavel L Enfant et les Sortileges complete opera Played by Ernest Ansermet and the Suisse Romande Orchestra, with soloists including Suzanne Danco, Huges Cuenod etc. These are pancake pressings edge-groove 180g vinyl, so very early c. 1958 Test pressings for the US issue OS 25163 but identical stampers to my copy of the SXL 2212 1960 UK issue. Side 1 Vinyl is EX , good gloss, looks barely played. Mother/matrix ZAL 2407-1D with 1 at 9 o clock and D at 3 o clock Side 2 Vinyl is EX , as above. Mother /matrix ZAL 2408-1D with 1 at 9 o clock, and D at 3 o clock Play-tested - superb immediate Decca sound, quiet surfaces, no wear or distortion. Labels NM no spindle trails Housed in mono sleeve for LXT 5519 - often the case with early Decca stereo tests pressings, as the stereo sleeve wasn t available at the time the samples were pressed. I was told this by the previous owner who acquired these direct from Decca at the time of pressing. Condition of fully-laminated lunette flipback thin floppy sleeve is EX very crisp and glossy laminate, slight ringwear and slight yellowing to back, very few creases - see photo Original Decca mono issue inner sleeve and one new replacement inner sleeve - originally both were housed in one inner sleeve EXPayment please within seven days of auction ending foreign bidders please wait for invoice.
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
