JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE AXIS BOLD AS LOVE UK 1967 1ST MONO INSERT EXCELLENT+ LP

	£		173
	$		229

NO RESERVE PRICE
About the item:-
This album is in fantastic condition. 
It is an exceptional UK 1st MONO pressing of Jimi's 2nd studio album dating from January December 1967 release. This is the Polydor pressed Track Records label: 612 003
It has been in a private collection and has been well looked after and handled properly. There are minimal signs of use/wear, especially considering that this is now past its 50th birthday! But do not expect it to be like it is brand new hot off the press. 
I played it through completely and the sound quality was excellent. I couldn’t fault it. 
I have a Sony PS-X6 fitted with a Dynavector 10X5.
I have taken as many pictures as I can to give added confidence.
As you can see there is minimal spindle wear/marks. The sleeve has no unsightly marks tears or creases. The gatefold lyric inner has a creased corner as the photo shows. I think that the poly-lined inner sleeve is still the original one. I am placing the record in a separate new paper liner where it will remain.
The Ernest J Day & Co sleeve is laminated with flip back edges to the inner gatefold. It is the same sleeve for both Mono and Stereo versions. There is no loss of lamination and no lifting.
The vinyl is glossy. There is minimal surface marking. No scratches. 
Matrix numbers: 612003 A ? 1  &  612003 B ? 1 Stamper codes:  1   4    &    1   1  (these are quite hard to make out)
I will grade in accordance with the Record Collectors Grading system (see below) with just one + or – behind the grade. 
Record: = mint – (it is definitely not absolute mint, but I feel it is better than just excellent))
Label: = Mint – (spotless)
Insert: = Excellent (one crease otherwise perfect)
Sleeve: = Excellent + (very little sign of wear, just some mild aging) 
Record Collector grading;- Mint (M): The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet. booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records marked as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.
Excellent (EX): The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and/or creasing.
Very Good (VG): The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects is acceptable
Good (G): The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration, etc.


About the seller (me):-
I have been with eBay since around 2000. I sell all sorts but mostly it is LP’s CD’s and hi-fi equipment. I have a massive record collection and I know how to treat records. I am also fussy about sound quality. 
About postage and packing:-
I am offering postage worldwide. I am only prepared to send this as a small parcel with full insurance and tracking. A lot will therefore depend upon what price this sells for. At present I have looked at insurance up to £250. If it sells for more than this then I will need to look at other options and agree with the buyer before posting. 
In the UK I will be offering Special delivery. Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm® Guaranteed by 1pm next day Up to £500 for loss or damage Tracked £8.60 Bear in mind eBay charge fees on postage, so that will be an additional £0.86

For overseas buyers the item will be sent Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed  5 to 7 working days delivery aim Up to £250 for loss or damage Delivery Confirmation £17.65 Bear in mind eBay charge fees on postage, so that will be an additional £1.76
For Europe this will be less, £14.10 plus £1.40

The record will be packed carefully in a square edged sturdy package with a stiffener either side and with record outside of the sleeve, and within a pvc liner. The packaged will be clearly labelled for handling. 

PRODUCT INFORMATION:
“Axis: Bold as Love” is the second studio album by English-American rock band the Jimi Hendrix Experience. It was recorded to fulfil the Experience's contract, which stated that they had to produce two records in 1967.
“Axis: Bold as Love” was first released in the United Kingdom by Track on December 1, 1967, as the follow-up to the band's successful debut “Are You Experienced”, which had been released in May. Reprise Records chose not to release it in the United States until 1968, because of fears that it might interfere with the sales of the first album. “Axis: Bold as Love” charted at number five in the UK and number three in the US. The album also peaked at number six on the Billboard R&B chart.
Hendrix expressed dismay regarding the album cover art, which depicts him and the Experience as various forms of Vishnu, incorporating a painting of them by Roger Law, from a photo-portrait by Karl Ferris. Hendrix stated that the cover would have been more appropriate had it highlighted his American Indian heritage. The painted image of the Experience was then superimposed on top of a copy of a mass-produced religious poster. Hendrix commented: "The three of us have nothing to do with what's on the Axis cover." Unlike the previous album's cover art, both the UK and US editions featured the same image. Hindus have since expressed anger on the appropriation of the deity Vishnu for the album cover and poster. The Malaysian government's Home Ministry instituted a ban on the artwork from June 2014 to protect religious sensitivities following complaints.
The album was the last recording by Hendrix to have a dedicated mono mix, which was only released in the UK and US. The album was released in stereo in the rest of the world. 
Track listing (All tracks written by Jimi Hendrix, except where noted)
Side one 1. "EXP" 1:55 2. "Up from the Skies" 2:55 3. "Spanish Castle Magic" 3:00 4. "Wait Until Tomorrow" 3:00 5. "Ain't No Telling" 1:46 6. "Little Wing" 2:24 7. "If 6 Was 9" 5:32 Total length: 20:32
Side two 1. "You Got Me Floatin'" 2:45 2. "Castles Made of Sand" 2:46 3. "She's So Fine" (Noel Redding) 2:37 4. "One Rainy Wish" 3:40 5. "Little Miss Lover" 2:20 6. "Bold as Love" 4:11 Total length: 18:19
discogs.com:-
The Jimi Hendrix Experience ?– Axis: Bold As Love Label: Track Record ?– 612 003 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono  Country: UK Released: Dec 1967 Genre: Rock Style: Psychedelic Rock, Electric Blues

Companies, etc. Copyright (c) – Yameta Co. Ltd. Manufactured By – Polydor Records Ltd. Published By – A. Schroeder Music Pressed By – Philips Records Ltd. Printed By – Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd. Made By – Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd.
Credits Cover, Design [Cover Designed By] – David King  Cover, Design [Cover Designed By], Illustration – Roger Law Design [Insert] – Paul Martin  Engineer – Eddie Kramer Performer – Mitch Mitchell, Noel Redding Photography By [Cover Inside] – Donald Silverstein Producer – Chas Chandler Vocals, Guitar – Jimi Hendrix Written-By – Hendrix* (tracks: A1 to B2, B4 to B6), Redding* (tracks: B3)
Notes Matt black / silver labels.  Outer laminated gatefold sleeve with flip-back centre spread.  First issues included an orange & red printed gatefold insert sheet, with lyrics in red lettering. 
Labels:  ? 1967  A. Schroeder Music Publishing Co. Ltd. 
Sleeve:  Printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd. London  Manufactured in Great Britain by Polydor Records Ltd., London 
Insert:  ©1967 Yameta Co. Ltd., Nassau, Bahamas c/o Sea-Lark Enterprises Inc. A. Schroeder Music Publishing Co. Ltd. 
Barcode and Other Identifiers Matrix / Runout (A-Side Runout, Stamped): 612 003 A ? 1 Matrix / Runout (B-Side Runout, Stamped): 612 003 B ? 1

Some additional grading on request (a bit late in the day!).

Visually

A very clean scratch free disc on both sides. Very slight sleeve marking.

No spindle marks noticeable.

Second listening test (now)

Some background noise noticeable during track 1. Some surface noise detectable between tracks, only slight, decreases as record progresses.

The music is good and clear, no distortion.

There are no pops clicks or jumps.

External

The cover has some light creasing towards the edge (top and bottom). The top and bottom of the spine has a tiny area of edge wear.

The lyric sheet has a crease at the top of the centre fold. It is otherwise fully intact and excellent.

The original inner sleeve is fully intact. It is creased a bit at the corners.

I MIGHT ADVISE IT IS EXCELLENT+ RATHER THAN MINT- REALLY HARD TO JUDGE.

Addendum:

I have to state for complete accuracy that I have noticed a small surface mark/scratch on track 5, Little Wing, only a few mm long. I had not noticed this before but I am sure it did not come through in the listening. Hence I have just played it through again. There is a single mild pop and several light clicks detectable but I do not consider it intrusive.