CREAM, DISRAELI GEARS, 1967 UK REACTION 1st PRESS

	£		51
	$		68

betsy50 Store

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional barely played example of the brilliant second studio album by CREAM titled “DISRAELI GEARS”, Catalogue Number 594 003. This is an ORIGINAL 1967 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the REACTION RECORD LABEL with a superb 1st issue fully-laminated E. J. Day sleeve. [This particular sleeve is quite unusual in that the "Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., London W11, Patent Pending" text is omitted from the bottom right of the back cover].

It is important to explain the differences between genuine first pressings of this album and later re-issues. The following is a list of the distinctive 1st press features:

·        The matrix numbers end in Av1/Bv1 (later pressings do not have this)

·        The record labels have the earliest credits which were almost immediately corrected [on Side 1 – “Windfall Music” corrected to “Immediate Music”, on Side 2 – “Apple Publishing” corrected to “Copyright Control”]

·        The record labels have 2 circular ridges around the spindle hole (later pressings do not have these)

·        The 1st press vinyl tends to be more solidly pressed

·        The 1st issue sleeve is made by E. J. Day and is laminated on both sides 

·        It has the earliest possible white “reaction” logo on the bottom left of the back cover (later sleeves have this in black)

·        The Side 2 track-listing on the back cover is printed in white text

·        The text “STEREO 594 003” is printed in thick black print in the top left corner of the back cover (later sleeves had a white box instead in the top right corner).

The fully-laminated single sleeve, printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd., London, is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear and very minor creasing. The front and back covers are completely unmarked. The psychedelic artwork retains its vibrant coloration and the lamination is perfect. The slim spine is solid with perfect text. There are no rips, tears, writing or anything else. You can see from the photos that this is a truly excellent example of this iconic psychedelic sleeve. I think that it will be very difficult to find a better one.

The top quality Reaction record is solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. Both sides retain a deep mirror-like shine and the playing surfaces are beautifully clean.

The matrix numbers and stampers are:

Side 1 – 594003   Av1    1   1    6

Side 2 – 594003   Bv1    1   2    7

Visually the record is in EX+ condition, with just a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and of no audio significance whatsoever. The vivid blue Reaction labels are unmarked apart from a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is virtually no wear around the spindle hole. I am confident that the record has only received a few careful plays.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

The stereo mix is very different to the mono. Both are essential in my opinion. The stereo playback is more subtle but reveals more detail and has better instrument separation. The sound quality is equally impressive. Both sides of the record play essentially as new with no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. You simply will not find a significantly better-playing 1st pressed stereo copy of this essential blues/rock album – I guarantee it!

The correct white poly-lined inner sleeve is in VG condition. This has no splits or tears - just some age discoloration and a few creases.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs