In August, we sold some fantastic rare and collectible vinyl records. From a second press of Led Zeppelin’s debut album to a stunning stereo first press of The Beatles - With The Beatles. Highlights include Jeff Buckley's 2018 Record Store Day release Live At Sin-é, a quadraphonic version of The Dark Side of the Moon, and a blue vinyl pressing of Tubeway Army's debut LP.
Starting at number 10, here's a closer look at the top 10 rarest records we sold last month!
10 - Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin - Second Press
Starting at number ten, we have a second press of Led Zeppelin’s first (self-titled) album. Unlike the first press which features turquoise text on the front cover - and would be coming in at number one if we had sold one - this one has orange text, matching the versions that followed. Another notable feature of these early Atlantic releases is the orange and plum label, which later became orange and green.
9 - Jeff Buckley - Live At Sin-é
Something a little different, a new and sealed copy of this Jeff Buckley Record Store Day 2018 release. This is a numbered box set, featuring four records, a booklet and a box made from fabric. The original EP was released in 1993, then an expanded “Legacy” edition in 2003 which was eventually released on vinyl in 2018.
8 - Dido - No Angel - 200G Quiex Sv-P Reissue
Continuing the theme of more modern pressings, this is a 2003 reissue of Dido’s 1999 album, No Angel. Quiex SV-P (Super Vinyl Profile) is a premium vinyl formulation by Classic Records, designed for low surface noise and enhanced sound quality. It was intended to offer superior clarity and detail, and many of their pressings are revered amongst audiophiles.
7 - The Beatles - Beatles For Sale - Stereo - First Press
With a grading of Excellent / Excellent, this had to be a special one. Identifying The Beatles pressings usually comes down to incredibly specific details. This copy had an MT tax code, matrices -1 -1 and also came with its original Emitex inner. Collectors of The Beatles' albums prize the Emitex inner sleeve, as it was originally included with many first pressings.
6 - Pink Floyd - The Dark Side Of The Moon - Quadraphonic
One of the more interesting copies that we’ve come across of this iconic album. This is a Quadraphonic SQ release - note the logo on the bottom right of the sleeve. Quadraphonic pressings utilise four channels rather than the two that we’re used to with Stereo, but it didn’t particularly catch on when it was introduced in the 70s. Only a limited quantity of releases were ever pressed on quadraphonic vinyl meaning that many of them continue to gain in rarity.
5 - Arnold Corns - Hang Onto Yourself - 7"
The first 7” on our list! "Hang Onto Yourself" is a 7" single by Arnold Corns, a pseudonym used by David Bowie, released in 1971 on the B&C label. The single features the original Ziggy Stardust band and includes a distinct version of the title track, as well as "Man in the Middle” on the B side. The single was re-recorded and included on his iconic 1972 “The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars” album.
4 - The Beatles - Yellow Submarine - Mono First Press
The Beatles certainly have a handful of rare releases in their discography… Many versions of this later (1969) Beatles album are not so rare, but this UK mono first press most certainly is. Similarly to the white album found below, this release came with a black inner sleeve, although this one is die-cut on one side to reveal the Apple label.
3 - The Beatles - The Beatles (White Album) - First Press
A rare top-opening gatefold sleeve, first pressings of the white album also came with black inner sleeves and four glossy photo prints depicting the members of the band. Many of the earlier issues of this album were numbered and this copy was number 0477410. The lower the number the better, of course - the most special ones are numbers 001-6 or so, with the first four supposedly being owned by each member of The Beatles.
2 - Tubeway Army - Tubeway Army - Blue
Not The Beatles! This blue-coloured release from Gary Numan and his band Tubeway Army. It was limited to 5000 copies and released in 1978. This blue version was the very first version of the release, with the 5000 copies all selling out, but not charting. The album was reissued on standard black vinyl (and a new cover design) in mid-1979.
1 - The Beatles - With The Beatles - Stereo First Press
Coming in at number one is this stereo first pressing of With The Beatles, first released in 1963. This edition is highly sought after for its front cover, featuring the rare larger font 'Stereo' in the top right corner, and the sleeve, printed by Garrod & Lofthouse. A defining detail is the rim text, starting with 'The Parlophone Co. Ltd.' - a key marker of early UK pressings. To make our copy even more special, it was in fantastic Excellent / Excellent condition - not something you often get to see with records pressed in the early 60s!
