JIMI HENDRIX Electric Ladyland UK 1st PRESS.

	£		1,221
	$		1,618

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: THE JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

Album Title: Electric Ladyland.

Producer(s): Jimi Hendrix.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: And the Gods Made Love; Have You Ever Been (to Electric Ladyland?); Cross Town Traffic; Voodoo Chile.

Side 2: Little Miss Strange; Long Hot Summer Night; Come On; Gipsy Eyes; The Burning of the Midnight Lamp.

Side 3: Rainy Day, Dream, Away; 1983...(A merman I should turn to be); Moon, Turn the Tides... Gently, Gently Away.

Side 4: Still Raining, Still Dreaming; House Burning Down; All Along the Watchtower; Voodoo Chile (Slight Return).

Label/Format: Track - ultimate first issues with intense matt black surfaces and including the inverted numbers and letter above the catalogue number. Later copies excluded this detail. Side A backs side D. (Please see my label scans).

Label Conditions: All four look superb: very fresh and clean and very attractive. No sticker marks or writing, just beautiful deep black Track labels that have clearly been very modestly handled. Spindle marks range from very light to light+ and no wear around the hole areas. From a very discerning collector who bought from this new within the first day or two of issue in October 1968 (as confirmed not only by the ultra rare blue text cover, but the mirror-image inner sleeves that are date-coded 108 (Octocer 1968, the month of issue)). The spindle marks are very fine and faint and only shows under light. So unusual to find such a beautiful copy of this evergreen masterpiece. This is without any doubt the very best and cleanest and best sounding Track copy of this classic album I have ever seen or heard.

Cat Number: 613008/009.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of these Records: 134 / 135 grams. Very solid weights for this album. These can vary and most are usually lighter.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Overview: Firstly, I can only apologise I cannot show the front and back of this cover as it is not allowed by Ebay – I do not make the rules – I just try and stick with them. Secondly, let’s be very clear, this album as a very first pressing – purchased practically, it not exactly, on day of issue in October 1968 – is a rare album and for me, it must rank as one of the rarest and best albums I have ever offered by a major artist. Thirdly, one that survives in this type of condition is a very rare album indeed. Most seen are played into submission on goodness knows what. We have all seen records of this era covered in deep penetrating scratches, dulled and worn vinyl that plays as bad as it looks. That wonderful sound information ground away by worn, thick heavy tracking stylus of the period. That is one end of the proverbial spectrum – this copy is very much on the other side. This album was never issued in mono, hence many early stereo copies were subjected to heavy use on old mono record players and few survived in anything like top playing conditions. Although the mono mode was slowly in decline, many, if not most still did not use stereo equipment.

When first pressed and issued in the UK in October 1968, the initial run included the famous nudes cover with blue text inside with the two band members being larger than when reprinted (please see my close-up picture). Very quickly, the format was changed when reprinted to the standard white text. The first run covers are rare and seldom seen or offered, and those that do surface, are invariably worn out, badly creased, severely dulled, torn, tatty and just plain ugly. This example on offer from that lovely collection of hardly played records, purchased by the one-and-only owner from new and never subjected to any mono system, is very impressive. The cover has only light dulling under light but retains a lovely glossy shine and clarity with very few creases and no lifting. The girls on the cover (again sorry I cannot show this) have a distinctly different colour hue to later printings and have a really dark and beautiful appearance with a jet black backdrop. The inside is sublime with one of rock’s most iconic pictures of the legendary genius. This has barely any wear at all, the only relatively minor issue is in the manufacture of the construction. The opening edges are made a little uneven on the their ends, nothing I can do about that of course, it’s purely a natural thing. Two ultimate first pressed records are simply stunning: barely marked and only very lightly (and ultra carefully) played. Their surface shine has to be seen to be believed and really do remind of new. Only the incredibly fine and faint spindle marks give any clues these have actually been played at all. My play-grade was a revelation. Both records offer master tape and audiophile quality sound with all the details, dynamics and sublime stereo imagery only the very first issues truly offer. As good as the second and third Track pressings are, along with the very early Polydor 70s repressings, none offer the depth of sound and sonic delivery of a true first pressing. It’s the tiny details and presentation of the sound that is different – not too easy to explain in words – but the discerning sound purists with quality audio systems will know exactly what I mean. Exactly the same applies to a very first pressing of Led Zeppelin I. Somehow, that extra zing and pizzazz is slightly diminished on subsequent pressings – that is not to say they are ‘bad’ – they are not – but they are just not quite as good. This pair of records offer that glorious look and sound the connoisseurs demand and few will even still exist quite like this. The cover offers a few small clues to it’s great age – remember, this copy was in shops briefly when the great man was still alive – but the records defy it totally and I would be pretty certain, neither have seen light-of-day for decades. Finding a mirror-image pair of Polydor sleeves that are both date coded 108 (October 1968) will prove near impossible too – the aforementioned single owner of this piece wrote all the songs and times on them in pencil. I believe as reference to their duration for taping purposes. Over time, the pencil had faded somewhat, so I decided to carefully rub this information off the inner sleeves, but of course the pressing of which still shows. But as I always state, I will always include the original inners if available no matter what their condition. These are both still very nice too anyway, and of course, the date code information is invaluable to confirm the actual month and year of this copy’s purchase.

So, one of the greatest albums of all-time is now available to the world in superb condition – the records themselves outstandingly so. Blue cover originals seldom surface quite like this and stating the obvious, this is a very rare example. For those seeking the two records in nigh-on world-class condition within a very fine original cover, this is an opportunity not to be missed. My first one of these ever, all others I have seen being trashed, I will not offer records, no matter how rare they are like that – do not lose this quite beautiful example.

Original Year of Release: October 1968.

Matrix Nos: (Note: Side D backs Side A). Side A: 613008 A // 1 1 2 . Side D: 613008 B // 1 1 ?. Side B: 613009 A // 1 1 2. Side C: 613009 B // 1 1 1 2 (all are error corrected).

Musicians: Jimi Hendrix – electric guitar, bass guitar, electric harpsichord, percussion, lead vocals, background vocals, kazoo. Mitch Mitchell – drums, percussion, background vocals, lead vocals (track 5); Noel Redding – bass guitar, background vocals, acoustic guitar, lead vocals (with Mitchell on track 5). There were many ‘guest’ appearances also that include: Jack Casady, Steve Winwood – organ, Al Kooper – piano, Freddie Smith – tenor saxophone, Buddy Miles – drums, Brian Jones – percussion, Dave Mason – Acoustic 12-String guitar and backing vocals, Chris Wood – flute.

Brief Artist & Album Info: The words ‘classic’ and ‘masterpiece’ are two phrases that are often overused, maybe by myself sometimes, but I do not hesitate in using them for this classic masterpiece. A legendary album by the legend that was Jimi Hendrix. Surprisingly it did not top the album charts, peaking at No 6. This was the last proper album with the name Experience following Are You Experienced and Axis Bold As Love. A stunning double set that features some amazing tracks including the long and short versions of ‘Voodoo Chile’, Dylan’s ‘All Along the Watchtower’ and the best for me is the long and quite sublime ‘1983’ which flows into ‘Moon, turn the tides...Gently, gently Away’, gentle and atmospheric pieces. This album was so ahead of it’s time, the recording is magnificent and the cover is as beautiful as the music, almost certainly one of the most famous sleeves in rock history - the nude cover was changed for the US market meaning this is a hugely sort-after item. The inner picture is pure class and must rank as one of the greatest ever pictures in rock history. A simply amazing picture of Jimi in full colour with that green smoky haze rising around him - little sums up this fantastic era in music better than this. As stated above this copy is exceptional with two records that play to nigh-on perfection and the ultra rare, first printing ‘blue text’ cover very impressive. Many, if not the majority are very often creased or torn, this one did not suffer abuse well. Creases came easily and with the dark finish they are ugly and this cover has to be viewed and enjoyed with a minimally creased cover - well this is simply that and importantly, it has no lifting or blistering. Even that fragile spine has the graphic perfectly intact – a little laminate peeling that few, if any avoid totally, but the surface is totally intact. I took a close-up of the crucial girl detail that flows around, if that is worn, the cover’s quality diminishes, but no worries here as can be clearly seen. Both records are hugely impressive and look fantastic with the shine and lustre of an almost new copy. I doubt if either have seen light-of-day for years and these will prove immensely difficult to match, let alone find better. If you have not experienced this remarkable double set on a first pressed vinyl copy, it can be strongly argued, you have not really heard it for real at all.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: High: even though this is fully laminated, this cover does not wear well. Double sets mean more pressing which caused deep impression, dulling and ringwear – few ever avoid it. Laminate issues are always a concern and if there are too many, the cover’s genuine beauty is diminished or lost. This one has a little dulling, but not a great deal else and given the undeniable fact it’s a true original, few available examples will better it significantly I feel sure.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): a fully laminated gatefold format with the very rare original blue text inside. Printed and made in England by Ernest J. Day.

Laminate – Front & Back: A cover of immense beauty, and just holding a first printed copy that offers that extra black backdrop to the famous nude women cover adds that extra sense of owning the ‘real’ thing. So few of these were even made and they disappeared almost as quickly as they were made. Like the equally famous Led Zeppelin I turquoise front cover, only a small percentage survive in anything like decent conditions, and being honest, I think this cover is actually rarer and harder to find than that one. Although there is some reasonably light and modest dulling around the record’s rim shape (edge rim, not label), both sides retain a lovely rich shine, freshness and clarity. Any of the very few surface creases prsent are small and light and again, this has possibly the fewest I have seen on a Track cover ever – or for a considerable while for sure. Another massive bonus is the lack of lifting or blistering, on such a dark cover this is wonderful news. A chipping with the odd tiny peel trace or two near the bottom edge on the front is a very tiny and minor distraction. With such beauty on offer, why does the eye want to drift to a black edge? The dulling on the front is only very light with a little more on the back, this seen under light. With direct full-on viewing, the more natural way to look at a cover, barely anything shows at all. Any surface marks are few and faint also with no scuffs or gouges or non-record pressmarks. A mega faint manufacture gripper line is only just visible on both sides in dead parallel alignment – this again, a natural thing and so faint, I hardly know why I even mentioned it. The main issue regarding manufacture is the folding and factory trim of the cover. The right opening edges are a little uneven, this seen via the back view – nothing I can do about that of course – purely a natural thing and hardly uncommon on this one. These edges seen the laminate end short of full width, the exposed black strips are mostly clean and unworn, just a little tip rubbing only. Uneven covers rarely will escape some corner wear because they do not back up each other, hence more vulnerable to storage use. These are almost nit-picking details, the beauty of this first Ernest J. Cover with blue inside text overshadows minor blemishes. The reality is, this is a 43-year-old cover, and a vulnerable one too. Few who bought this initially had the idea to protect is well enough to avoid serious serious wear and damage. No-one would have realised how rare and unique it would become in the future and most were left lying around, loaned out to friends or simply over-used and abused. This one has survived intact and still looking gorgeous, just wish I could show it to you all.

Cover Inner Gatefold: Stunning in all respects and please see the magnificent artwork in close-up. The laminate is mirror-like and even the fold-line hinge has ALL its laminate intact, strong and barely cracked. How unusual is that? It even still has a reassuring light crackle when closed, most shed their laminate on this delicate hinge area. The rare blue text detail is fantastic and will rarely, if ever be seen more pristine. Just a couple of small surface creases over the entire two sides, the Hendrix portrait simply gleams with freshness and has a hand even ever touched it? This is the definitive ‘Electric Ladyland’ cover, the great man himself would have surely approved.

Top Edges: Both retain full laminate and are very straight with barely any hints of wear. These retain lovely smoothness to the fingertip with no scuffing or chipping. Just the very end tips have rubbed that few will ever escape.

Bottom Edges: The laminate on the front ends short of dull depth, so the front bottom edge was not protected. Remarkably, this shows little wear or rubbing bar the corner tips. The back is the same and also appears similar, both again straight.

Right Edge(s), and Type: The right opening edges are uneven in construction, that purely a trait of manufacture and hardly unusual. Both are clean, very sharp with barely any traces of wear and no feathering and guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way. I have scrutinised this cover closely for tipping-in, and I can seen no evidence of any whatsoever. Records entered on these right outside edges.

Spine and Text: Although this has a little light and patchy peeling traces, crucially, the flow-around graphic has avoided any wear at all. This is one of the neatest spines I have seen on this cover. Solid, straight, uncompressed and actually folded square, with the edges parallel, but the right openers not manufactured flush. No text was printed on this one but the design follows around and all is perfect and unworn and some laminate remains. This has one of those spines that cracks and creases when opened, this one has only a light central crease that is not very deep at all. Both the folds are near pristine and retain full laminate protection, hence no chipping or damage to the artwork. Few of the earliest ones will remain a great deal better.

Corners: Some tip rubbing ranging from light (most) to near moderate (fewer). Fine, very fine to excellent shape is retained.

Cover Summary: The ultimate original blue-text style cover in super all-round shape. No perfect, but with any wear or blemishing light and relatively minor. The manufacture opening edge trimming has nothing to do with wear and is a common trait on this cover no matter which version you find. The women on the front have that slightly different colour hue to the standard and the backdrop a very intense black. The satisfaction in holding and owning a genuine first printed cover is beyond words. A connoisseur’s piece and this one does it near maximum justice. Only a barely touched example kept in cotton wool will better this one significantly, just enough to lightly remind of it’s great age. One to please many, if not most collectors, even the more discerning can consider too.

The Inner Sleeves: Both the original Polydor style lined inners are included, these again the ultimate originals that are mirror-image style and both date-coded 108 (please see my close-up picture). I will conservatively grade them as Very Good. As stated further up, the original owner wrote the song titles on each of the four sides with the times, I think for taping purposes. All in light pencil, now faded. I decided to gently rub this information off but the pressmarks cannot be removed, but at least the white inners now look more like when they were issued. A little aged with some corner creasing and moderately gentle toning around the edges. The four window circles are crisp, neat and undamaged with the inners clear with minimal crinkle. All edges unsplit with no repairs – although only inners, they are crucially important with the October 1968 date codes to verify they are original and also definitive proof of release date purchase.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Side A: EXCELLENT(+). Side B: EXCELLENT(++). Side C: (the really delicate side) MINT(-). Side D: EXCELLENT(++). A superb visual pair that are super clean, intense black and very solidly pressed. The surface shine is almost remarkable and in this respect, almost remind of new. A pair very lightly played on all the evidence and with utmost care, reitterated by fantastic clean sound. Any surface marks, hairlines or blemishes are tiny, few and very faint indeed – not a single penetrating scratch on four exceptional playing surfaces. No old mono or crude stylus have been inflicted upon this wonderful double set. Visually super records that should please most-all collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Both records play even above their very impressive visual gradings with stunning audio quality and this too on one of the world’s most revealing turntables. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear. No pops or clicks and a very fine pressing that is practically devoid of surface sounds – what a joy to hear this legendary album with no hidden nasties in pristine clean unworn grooves. Even that delicate end to side A when the music ends and the talking starts, has minimal traces of any crackle but barely any will play dead silent. Both channels are clean, unstressed and clear with full focused sound from beginning to end. A few very careful plays on a quality system, and no degrading of the beautiful sound at all. A set that avoided the ruthless heavy tracking weights from the 60s or early 70s. The detail and clarity from a first issue is unsurpassed and definitive – it’s the way Hendrix and the engineers – Eddie Kramer and Gary Kellgren – wanted it to be heard and sound. With sublime stereo imagery for maximum effect, this is beautifully crafted and precise. Is this why the mono version was not issued? A first issue offers superior sonic delivery of the music and extra fine details that are simply lacking on subsequent copies. Those who own quality equipment and appreciate the dynamics and authenticity the original analogue format offers will know exactly what I mean. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this gem. ‘ Electric Ladyland’ has to be heard on Track, there is nothing else quite like it – a first issue the icing on the cake. Just listen to the channel-to-channel interplay with the man’s guitar performing incredible effects. CD copies I have heard are disappointing in comparison, they simply lack the detail, dynamics and feel for this one, and the packaging is a joke in comparison too, do the CDs versions even include the nude cover? This is the real thing, it was produced and directed by Hendrix and it’s how the great man wanted it to sound - don’t mess with perfection. If your collection is missing this album, don’t hesitate, this copy will prove almost impossible to find better for looks and sound and is unreservedly and strongly recommended. I again can only apologise for not being able to show the lovely front and back cover, but I feel sure, few, if any will be disappointed and why I have explained what is looks like in great detail.

End Piece: NOTE: This record will be registered posted FREE to anywhere in the world with the maximum insurance allowed. A legendary issue, this is a premier league album and artist. A copy that can be played and enjoyed to the absolute maximum - this will last indefinitely if played on a modern quality deck and treated with the respect it deserves (as it has been up to now). Devoid of that dreaded distortion, scratches and groove wear, this will please all vinyl lovers, it will never need upgrading. Only the most extraordinary example will better this pair of records. A ‘Blue’ to hold, play and enjoy – the genius of Jimi lives on.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.