Vinyl: RARE ASD 274-7 Mozart Marriage of Figaro Gui First UK G/C HMV Stereo 4LPs EX+/EX

Superb copy of this very rare first issue UK HMV stereo 4 LP box, EX+ vinyl and EX box.

PLEASE NOTE - you are bidding on original 1950s vinyl - this will not have completely silent surfaces, even when in unplayed condition - but the sound and recording quality is generally excellent. If you are looking for absolutely perfect blemish-free reproduction, please bear this in mind.

• UK HMV Stereo LP ASD 274-7 (One single-sided LP side 1 ASDS 274, and three normal LPs sides 2-7)
• Very first UK issue Gold and Cream labels
• Mozart The Marriage of Figaro
• Played by the Glyndebourne Festival Orchestra, conducted by Vittorio Gui
• Soloists: Sesto Bruscantini, Graziella Sciutti, Sena Jurninac, Hugues Cuenod, Rise Stevens etc
• Vinyls all appear EX+, good gloss, looks unplayed, almost no marks visible under bright light. The vinyl on ASDS 274 is very slightly dished, but it lies flat on turntable and does not affect playback.
• Fully play-tested all seven sides, EX+ to NM. Superb reproduction, quiet surfaces, low background noise, and excellent mid-1950s HMV stereo sound. No wear and no distortion even on loudest vocal passages. On side 5, near beginning, are about 8 very light repeating ticks, well behind the music, and otherwise only a few very light patches of "static" or background very occasionally, not at all disturbing.
• Labels NM, no spindle trails visible (slight misprinting on side 3 label, text misaligned with illustration).
• Condition of un-laminated box with gold "Stereophonic EMI Recording" sticker is EX (all intact, some slight edge and corner rubs and small losses to top of front pasted-on illustration, spine excellent with very slight rubbing, back undamaged - see photos).
• Original printed poly-lined paper EMI earliest issue "Use Emitex" inner sleeves EX+
• Original leaflet with cast list and synopsis is EX, and the two tissue paper interleaves also present.
• No libretto, as this was purchased separately at this date

More photos available on request

I will combine postage for multiple items, p lease contact me if you are intending to bid on further LPs.

Payment please within seven days of auction ending; foreign bidders please wait for invoice.

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, or more noticeable surface noise, 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) £4.50

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 signed and tracked postage (insured up to £50):

1 LP £11.00

2 LP £13.00

3 LP £15.00

4 LP £16.00

5 LP £17.00

Rest of the World Signed (and tracked if available) air mail (insured up to £50):

1 LP £14.00

2 LP £16.00

3 LP £18.00

4 LP £20.00

5 LP £22.00

· 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, double-boxed if needed, 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 days to arrange return and refund (buyer pays return postage)