I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

John Mayall with Eric Clapton : Blues Breakers 1W/1W 1st Stereo Press 1969

This very collectable first pressing plays with unbelievable quality and no interference.  The clarity is stunning throughout but in a sense it's the depth of the audio that really stands out.  Never heard better!  It is a vinyl that has hardly been played and that is reflected in the sonic quality.  It has to be a FINAL UPGRADE album as you could not wish to find a more 'complete' version and I cannot overstate just how incredibly well it plays.  It is also visually stunning with no scratches etc and has been preserved beautifully over the last 50+ years.

The laminated cover is also in superb condition with barely any wear and the original inner is also in great order.  A stunning 'package' overall.

SKL 4804 // ZAL-7297.P-1W / ZAL7298.P-1W // BC 1 / M 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio S2 is Mint(-)

The laminated cover is Ex+

The labels are Mint-

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Only under a strong light can I locate a small number of very faint hairlines, certainly nothing obvious, and as stated there is barely any spindle wear.  The run out grooves are super clean and the Decca labels are in pristine condition with no marking or writing.  A fantastic example!

Play grading  

With a very clear run in you are expecting 'high end' clarity and 'All Your Love' does not disappoint.  From the very first note it plays with stunning precision and not one dust tick let alone anything worse.  The clarity is equal to that of an un-played record not one that is over 50 years old!  On such a clean record McVie's bass adds great depth and warmth to the overall sound and I have no hesitation in grading this opening track as Mint such is the quality.

With complete silence in the dead was 'Hideaway' then plays to the same standard with no intrusion.  Again the depth and resonance of the audio just envelops the room with a sonic quality that is just stunning.  Oh and Clapton's playing isn't too bad either!  Another Mint track no need for a minus here.

'Little Girl' is just as impressive with no 'background' of any kind.  Already I am running out of suitable adjectives!  Mint

The harmonica 'heavy' 'Another Man' plays with sensational audio from start to finish - plenty of room for interference to come through here as it is a relatively quiet track and yet the clarity is 'as new' without question.  The playback is so strong and deep there is not one single negative.  This is audio of the highest calibre and I can only grade as Mint

The gentle piano intro on 'Double Crossing Time' plays to perfection and it continues in the same exact way.  Has this record ever been played?!  As stated there is barely any spindle wear so based on this and the sonic quality it can only have been 'spun' a handful of times I would say.  No ticks, clicks, pops or static this is Mint all the way through.

So often final tracks do not play as well as the preceding ones but that certainly does not apply here.  'What'd I Say' is absolutely STUNNING from the very first note to the fade out.  There is no inner groove distortion and if anything the depth of the audio is even greater here!  Each note is so sharp and precise and that is very much in evidence during Flint's solo - not even a solitary dust tick it sounds fantastic.  A Mint conclusion to a perfectly flawless side of music.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Key To Love' on S2 more than keeps up this fine standard and plays with exceptional quality and no interference.  Just pure unadulterated Mint audio and no distortion on the top end either.

'Parchman Farm' plays like it has never been played before and again the depth of the audio is immense!  Mint

The long intro on the ultra bluesy 'Have You Heard' plays beautifully with only a handful of dust ticks and one easily missed very quiet static 'moment'.  Mayall's opening vocal is faultless and it proceeds to play with a clarity that is second to none.  The longest track on the album and again there are no clicks or pops etc.  Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio.

'Ramblin' On My Mind' of course features Clapton on lead vocal and it plays with sublime quality throughout.  A couple of mega light ticks on the intro that hardly warrant a mention the playback is so clean.  Another quiet number there is nothing that detracts from the sound quality but I will grade as Mint- just to err on the side of caution!

The louder 'Steppin' Out' plays with tremendous power and depth and Clapton's work here is so strong.  There is just one light tick during the brief silent section towards the end so I will grade as Mint- accordingly.

The even louder and faster 'It Ain't Right' ends this classic album as you would want it to - with great power and depth from start to finish and...no distortion.  A Mint version for sure.

In summary this very collectable first stereo pressing plays with impeccable quality on both sides as easily qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album in my opinion.  It just could not play any better in other words.  Two of the most important factors for a blues album to have are clarity and depth and this copy provides that and then some!  Honestly the depth and warmth of the audio here is phenomenal and I can say that with confidence having played every track in full as I always do.  Despite the passage of time it has lost none of its original sonic quality and it was a real pleasure to listen to.  Audio does not get any better than this!

The Cover & Original Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in superb condition with very little shelf wear.  It has maintained its original shape so well and the edges and thin pinched spine have no rubbing/wear at all.  Even the corners are near perfect with barely any wear.  The opening edge also looks untouched and the front cover is so clean with only the usual fading/marking running down the right hand edge.  This is very common as this is the only section on the front that is not laminated.  A minor thing of course.  The unlaminated back cover is very clean with only very minimal fading/greying around the edges and one faint scratch mark near the bottom left corner.  A lovely example I am almost tempted to grade as Near Mint- but perhaps Ex+ is a but nearer the mark.

The original blue poly-lined Stereo inner is in great condition with no side splits or tears and very little age related fading.  It just has a little creasing here and there.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

SKL 4804 // ZAL-7297.P-1W / ZAL7298.P-1W // BC 1 / M 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £2.00 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £25.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!