Genesis - Selling England by the Pound (1973 Charisma First UK Pressing)

Genesis: Selling England by the Pound (1973 Charisma First UK Pressing)

If you're serious about collecting progressive rock vinyl, the first UK pressing of Genesis' Selling England by the Pound on Charisma Records is one of those records that belongs on your short list. Released in October 1973, this album represents the absolute creative peak of the Peter Gabriel era, and the original UK pressing on Charisma (catalogue number CAS 1074) is the version that audiophiles and collectors chase with real determination.

This wasn't just another prog rock album. It was the moment Genesis proved they could balance ambitious, sprawling compositions with genuine accessibility. Tracks like "Firth of Fifth," "The Cinema Show," and "I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)" became defining statements of the genre. And for collectors, the first UK pressing captures the album exactly as it was intended to sound, before later reissues introduced different mastering choices and pressing plants.

History and Context

By 1973, Genesis had already built a devoted following through albums like Nursery Cryme and Foxtrot. The band's lineup of Peter Gabriel (vocals, flute), Tony Banks (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (bass, guitar), Steve Hackett (guitar), and Phil Collins (drums) was firing on all cylinders. They had just completed their first full-scale North American tour, which drew enthusiastic crowds even as British critics continued to compare them unfavorably to contemporaries like Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Pink Floyd.

Charisma Records, run by the legendary Tony Stratton-Smith, had been pushing to capitalize on the band's growing momentum. The label had already released Genesis Live earlier in 1973 (somewhat against the band's wishes) and was eager for new studio material. The band retreated to Island Studios in London with producer John Burns and crafted what many consider their masterpiece.

The album hit number three on the UK charts and gave Genesis their first bona fide hit single with "I Know What I Like." The original UK pressing was manufactured and distributed by B&C Records Ltd., with sleeves printed by the E.J. Day Group in London and Bedford. This pressing arrangement is one of the key identifiers for collectors seeking the genuine first issue.

What Makes the First UK Pressing Special

The original Charisma pressing of Selling England by the Pound is prized for several reasons. First, the mastering. The first UK pressings were cut at Trident Studios, and many copies bear the famous "PORKY" and "RAY" inscriptions in the dead wax, indicating mastering by George "Porky" Peckham. These Porky cuts are known among audiophiles for their dynamic, punchy sound quality that later pressings simply don't match.

The vinyl itself was pressed on heavier, higher quality stock than many later reissues. The Charisma "Mad Hatter" label design (featuring the distinctive top-hatted character) is another hallmark of the original. Early copies feature the large Mad Hatter logo, while later pressings used a smaller version.

The sleeve is equally important. The first issue features an unlaminated gatefold cover printed by E.J. Day, with a textured matte finish that gives the Betty Swanwick artwork a painterly quality you can actually feel. The inner sleeve on true first pressings includes a brown cardboard lyric insert rather than the printed paper inner sleeves found in later runs.

How to Identify a Genuine First UK Pressing

Authentication of this record comes down to several checkpoints that you should verify methodically:

Catalogue Number: CAS 1074 on the label and spine.

Label Design: Large Charisma "Mad Hatter" logo. The label text should read "Manufactured And Distributed By B&C Records Ltd."

Matrix/Runout Numbers: This is the most important identifier. Look in the dead wax (the smooth area between the last groove and the label) for:

• Side A: CAS 1074 A-1U (with "PORKY-RAY" inscription on earliest copies)

• Side B: CAS 1074 B-1U or B-2U

The "-1U" suffix indicates a first mother stamper. Later pressings will show higher numbers like A-4U or different matrix formats entirely.

Sleeve: Unlaminated gatefold, printed by E.J. Day Group. The rear cover text should reference B&C Records at 37 Soho Square, London W1.

Inner Sleeve: True first issues came with a brown cardboard lyric insert. This is actually quite rare, as many collectors don't realize the standard printed lyric sleeve was a later addition.

Condition Grading and What It Means for Value

Vinyl condition follows the Goldmine grading standard, and with a record over fifty years old, condition is absolutely everything when it comes to pricing.

Mint (M): Unplayed, still sealed. Essentially impossible to find for a 1973 pressing and would be extraordinary if genuine.

Near Mint (NM): The record shows virtually no signs of play. Labels are clean, no scratches visible under direct light. The sleeve has sharp corners, no ring wear, no splits.

Very Good Plus (VG+): Light surface marks that don't affect playback significantly. Sleeve may show minor wear at edges or very slight ring wear. This is what most "excellent" condition copies actually grade at.

Very Good (VG): Audible surface noise on quiet passages, visible light scratches. Sleeve shows noticeable wear, possible small seam splits. Still very playable and presentable.

Good Plus (G+) to Good (G): Heavy wear, significant surface noise, possible skips. Sleeve may be heavily worn, split, or have writing. A reading copy, essentially.

Current Market Values

Prices below reflect the first UK pressing (CAS 1074, large Mad Hatter label, B&C distribution) as of early 2025:

Condition	Price Range
Near Mint (NM)	$200 - $350
Very Good Plus (VG+)	$100 - $200
Very Good (VG)	$50 - $100
Good Plus (G+)	$25 - $50
Good (G)	$10 - $25

Copies with confirmed "PORKY-RAY" dead wax inscriptions and the original brown cardboard lyric insert command a premium of 20-40% above these ranges. The A-1U/B-1U matrix combination (the absolute earliest stampers) is the most desirable and can push prices toward the higher end.

For comparison, later UK pressings with the small Mad Hatter label or Virgin distribution markings typically sell for 30-50% less than true first pressings in equivalent condition.

What to Look for When Buying

If you're shopping for this record, here's what to keep front of mind:

Always check the dead wax. Sellers frequently list later pressings as "original" or "first pressing" when they're actually second or third runs. The matrix numbers don't lie. Look for those low stamper numbers (A-1U, A-2U) and the B&C manufacturing credits.

Inspect the sleeve carefully. The unlaminated matte finish of the true first pressing is distinctive. If the cover feels glossy or plasticky, it's likely a later pressing or reissue. Also check for the E.J. Day printing credit, which appears in tiny text on the rear sleeve.

Ask about the inner sleeve. The brown cardboard lyric insert is genuinely scarce. If a seller has one, it adds meaningful value. Don't penalize a record for having a standard printed inner, but do factor it into your offer.

Play-grade matters more than visual grade. Some copies that look VG+ play like NM because they were stored properly but handled without excessive care for the sleeve. If you can listen before buying (or if the seller offers a play grade), prioritize that information.

Beware of "audiophile" reissues being passed off as originals. Several high-quality reissues have been made over the decades, including the 2008 Virgin remaster and various Japanese pressings. These can sound wonderful but are not first pressings, regardless of what the seller claims.

Buy from reputable dealers. Discogs seller ratings, established record shops, and auction houses with grading guarantees are your safest bets. Be especially cautious with eBay listings that use stock photos rather than actual images of the record being sold.

The Peter Gabriel-era Genesis albums continue to appreciate steadily among collectors, and Selling England by the Pound sits at the very top of that hierarchy. A clean first UK pressing is both a fantastic listening experience and a solid addition to any serious vinyl collection.

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