CREAM, DISRAELI GEARS, RARE 1967 UK *TRUE 1st PRESS*

	£		36
	$		47

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 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the iconic 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 FULLY LAMINATED E. J. DAY SLEEVE, the EARLIEST POSSIBLE MATRIX NUMBERS and MIS-CREDITED LABELS ON BOTH SIDES. Seriously difficult to find in the superb condition offered here!!

Only a very small number of the earliest pressings were issued with the mis-credited labels, and these 1st pressings also had several other distinctive features which distinguish them from all later pressings.

These differences are detailed as follows:

* Matrix numbers ending in A▼1/B▼1 (later pressings do not have this)

* Double mis-credited labels which were almost immediately corrected; On Side 1 – “Windfall Music” corrected to “Immediate Music”, on Side 2 – “Apple Publishing” corrected to “Copyright Control”

* Also on Side 2, the label shows 1967 (on later pressings this was changed to 1966)

*The labels have 2 ridges with a central groove around the spindle hole (all later pressings have only 1 ridge)

* The vinyl is much heavier with a thick, square-cut rim edge.

The first press, fully laminated E J Day sleeve has all of the following credentials, confirming the EARLIEST POSSIBLE SLEEVE DESIGN;

* Fully laminated E J Day STEREO sleeve with “Patent Pending” text on the back cover

* The earliest possible white “reaction” logo on the bottom left of the back cover (later covers had 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 text on the top left corner of the back cover (later sleeves had a white box instead on the top right corner).

The single fully-laminated sleeve, printed and made in London by Ernest J Day & Co. Ltd., is in genuine EXCELLENT++ CONDITION (strictly graded). This is an early sleeve with the “Patent Pending” text on the reverse. The front and back covers are pretty much as new with only a couple of very light laminate creases. The vivid colours on the psychedelic front cover are simply stunning! The top and bottom edges are perfect with no wear at all. The corners are beautifully square with virtually no signs of wear. The opening edges are excellent with just the lightest signs of use. The slim spine is perfect – still bright white with all text clearly legible and no creases whatsoever. Overall an exceptional 1st issue sleeve which will be very difficult to improve upon!!

The solidly pressed vinyl retains a deep mirror-like shine, and sits flat and true on the turntable. The rim edge is square-cut rather than tapered.

The full matrix numbers and stampers are:

Side 1 – 594003 A▼1   1   2      1   2

Side 2 – 594003 B▼1   1   1      1   2

Visually Side 1 has just a few very light surface marks (from taking the record in and out of the inner sleeve), in addition to 2 noticeable surface scuffs (not scratches). Side 2 has a few very light sleeve removal type marks plus 3 or 4 rub marks. Apart from the 2 surface scuffs on Side 1 (discussed below), none of the marks are of any audio significance. The BEAUTIFUL BLUE REACTION LABELS are unmarked with only a few light spindle traces evident. I am confident that the record has not been played very many times.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

Both sides play SUPERBLY with ALL FREQUENCIES CRYSTAL CLEAR and a minimum of unwanted noise. Several of the tracks have quiet sensitive passages which are easily spoiled by excessive crackle and surface sound. Not on this example – all play beautifully with barely any unwanted noise to spoil the listening experience. The 2 surface scuffs on Side 1 look quite serious, but in fact have very little audio consequence (deep grooves!) – just a few light ticks through the right channel in the middle of Track 2 and at the start of Track 5. These ticks are discernable - but not intrusive. The ticks aside, this is a top playing copy!!

Complete with the original poly-lined white inner sleeve, with “MADE IN ENGLAND” and “British Patent No…” text in blue print on the bottom. This is in excellent condition with no splits or tears, just light creasing and minor age discoloration.

OVERALL A SUPERB AND COMPLETE 1st PRESS EXAMPLE OF THIS ESSENTIAL CREAM MASTERPIECE - DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY!!!

International postage costs: Europe £5.50, Worldwide £7.95

International buyers: payment by PayPal only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.