Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland * MINT AUDIO * UK 1968 * RARE * Blue Text Nudes

	£		789
	$		1,045

Jimi Hendrix - Electric Ladyland

I am pleased to offer a genuine EARLIEST POSSIBLE 1st press and 1st sleeve copy of this classic album

Original Track 613008/9 double album released in the UK on October 25th 1968

Superb 1st Press * MINT AUDIO *

* EXCELLENT * 1st Print Blue Text Naked Ladies Sleeve

* Copies of this EARLIEST release are genuinely RARE in this CONDITION *

There are several key features which distinguish

GENUINE

first copies of this album from later ones, even

those made just a few weeks after release,

and this is a genuine first copy!

GENUINE 1st press vinyl:

- 613008 A//1+B//1 and 613009A//1+B//1 with tell-tale matrix/stamper

errors crossed out (xxx) and hand etched corrections (see photo)

- Inverted album numbers in brackets on the 1st print Track labels (see photo)

GENUINE 1st print sleeve:

- Slightly longer outer side of the gatefold sleeve overlapping the inner side

- Blue text inside the Ernest J. Day naked ladies sleeve (later runs had white text)

- Large photos of Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding (later sleeves had smaller ones)

- The blue text (and possibly the larger photos) were supposed to hide/cover up a printing

mistake made prior to release. The album tracks were originally printed in the wrong order,

and in white ink. On the VERY FIRST SLEEVES ONLY the original track listing in white was

JUST visible through the blue text and black surround - AS IT IS ON THIS ONE (see photo)

GENUINE 1st print poly-lined inner sleeves:

- With 'Made in England 098' and 'Made in England 108' printed on the paper

(see photos), indicating they were made in September '68 and October '68

BEFORE the album was released on the 25th October

History:

I have owned this album since the early 70s! I guess I played it quite a few times for a while, but not obsessively (and only on quality stereo hi-fi equipment). I haven't played it at all since the late 70s. I have always looked after my records with the utmost care, and it has been carefully stored for decades in its own thick plastic outer sleeve along with the rest of my collection.

Vinyl:

(I use a Rega Planar 3 turntable with Rega 300 arm and Audi Technica AT33ML moving coil cartridge to aurally grade my records). These are the EARLIEST POSSIBLE original UK 1st pressings on the Track label, made with high-grade vinyl (a deliberate decision apparently, so as to handle the high dynamic range of Hendrix's music). Record 1, Side A, 61300XX8 A//1 2 1 1 stampers and Side D, 61300X8 B//1 2 1 1 stampers: Visually both sides look NEAR MINT and play AS NEW - MINT! There are a few light spindle marks on the labels but it hasn't been played all that often and not for ages (for decades)! The vinyl has a lovely deep black sheen, with NO significant surface marks. When held up to the light there are some barely noticeable differences of shade but these are in the vinyl, not from use. The sound is fantastic! Both sides play beautifully ALL the way through. There are NO scratches or pops or clicks, NO surface noise (other than a few seconds of static in the run-in grooves) and NO distortion from wear. Quiet passages (and there are a few) are just that - quiet! And the loud stuff is full and powerful and clear. The sound is simply superb! Record 2, Side B, 61300X9 A//1 1 and Side C, 613009 BXXXXXXXXX//1 1: In the same condition as Record 1! Again, visually both sides look NEAR MINT and play AS NEW - MINT! At over 9 minutes long the magical and mellow track 'Moon, Turn The Tides ... Gently, Gently Away' is just a pleasure to listen to as all one hears is the music, never the record.

The tell-tale matrix/stamper errors indicating earliest 1st pressings are most noticeable on Side C (see photo), with 613009B hand etched into the wax and the errors crossed out (xxxxxxxxx) followed by //1 1.

These earliest pressings are RARE, even more so in MINT AUDIO condition. Both records are equally brilliant. To me, this is a final upgrade, they look and sound like new and I cannot imagine listening to better copies.

Labels:

The Track labels ON ALL 4 SIDES are in NEAR MINT clean condition with a some light spindle marks on each. They are the EARLIEST 1st print labels with the inverted album number in brackets above the same number in a larger font (see photo).

Sleeve:

This is the EARLIEST POSSIBLE 1st print original laminated-both-sides Ernest J. Day gatefold sleeve. It has the much better large photos of Mitchell and Redding (later ones were smaller), and the text is in blue (later in white). However, the first print run of this sleeve was beset with problems and is known for it's poor quality and printing errors. The blue text was withdrawn not long after release because it failed to fully conceal earlier track listing mistakes (see the article extract below). Also, the lamination was sub-standard and therefore has not stood the test of time well. Additionally, the outer side of the sleeve was longer than the inner side resulting in some overlap at the opening above Jimi's head.

Here is an extract from an article written by Hendrix expert Tim for www.jimpress.co.uk which sheds light on the sleeve's early manufacturing history (please look at the close-up photo of the blue text): 'You can clearly see that the most desirable first print blue text is actually an overprinting of a factory mistake. The blue text was used to cover up an entirely different (and wrong!) order of titles on this monumental album. This very first issue cover reveals that the sought-after blue text was only used to mask an early mistake at the factory concerning the order of titles on the album. However, the original text was not fully covered up by the overprinted blue text on the laminated gatefold sleeve .It clearly reveals that if the mistake hadn't been spotted, Electric Ladyland would have opened with 'Still Raining, Still Dreaming'. You can see this original track listing in the background, behind the overprinted blue text on this sleeve. This still visible original text states: 'Side A: 1. Still Raining, Still Dreaming.' And that would of course have been ridiculous, because 'Still Raining, Still Dreaming' could only ever have followed 'Rainy Day, Dream Away', which - according to the incorrect text still showing up behind the overprinted blue text - would have opened Side B ... So this would certainly explain the letter from Track (to the BBC) stating they were having problems at the printers! ... So it would appear that white text was the intention from the beginning. As to the photos of Mitch & Noel being larger - maybe they are covering up something also! I checked 2 copies and the photo images of the pair can vary in that on some you can see a faint white border where a photo has been clipped.'

If you would like more confirmation that this is an authentic first copy have a look at http://www.discogs.com/Jimi-Hendrix-Experience-Electric-Ladyland/master/24535 which goes into some detail about the early release history of the album.

Despite the quality control problems, I would say this sleeve is in overall EXCELLENT condition for its age. Aside from 3 smallish creases (all shown in the photos) and some inevitable laminate shrinkage, it looks really good! On all surfaces the laminate retains most of its glossy sheen with little rubbing, and there are almost no signs of ring wear from the records inside (like I say, it has been in storage for ages). There are NO corner dents, and the outer spine is excellent with NO wear or dings or creases. A little of the laminate on the inner side of the spine (where the sleeve folds) has split as a result of shrinkage. However, I imagine it would be very difficult to find one that hasn't. It creaks a little on opening and closing, so care is required. I still think this sleeve looks fantastic given that it is nearly 44 years old!

Inner sleeves:

These are the EARLIEST POSSIBLE original poly-lined inner sleeves in EXCELLENT condition for their age. They are crisp and clean, with some yellowing from age, especially where the glue is top and bottom. The seems are near perfect. They are marked with their print dates coinciding with the release date of the album (see photos and note above).

Final verdict:

A genuinely superb EARLIEST POSSIBLE 1st press and 1st sleeve RARE top copy.

All reasonable Best Offers considered

Bid with confidence - I have sold many records always with great feedback

Payment via PayPal within 2 days of purchase, please

If you have any questions, please ask

Delivery:

£4.00 UK (1st class recorded signed-for)

£11.10 Europe (international airmail signed-for)

£14.60 Rest of the world (international airmail signed-for)

(Recorded/signed-for is the safest way of getting your item to you)

All records are carefully packed in purpose-made thick card mailers with stiffeners,

and I always separate the record from its sleeve to avoid seem splits

I genuinely try to describe and grade items accurately,

therefore returns and refunds are offered

only if the item is not as described