THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO Debut UK MONO ORIG Verve VLP 9184 1967 EX/EX

	£		299
	$		396

THE VELVET UNDERGROUND – The Velvet Underground and Nico ORIG Verve LP / VLP 9184 (UK, Mono, 1967)

 (from the sleeve notes…)  

“Art has come to the discotheque and it will never be the same again.”

Matrices (stamped): V 5008 A-2 / V 5008 B-2

It saddens me to have to offer this seminal LP for sale.  Today, the twisted genius of US bands such as The Velvets, The Stooges, Funkadelic is well acknowledged and their influence on today’s sounds (and those from the last 35 years) is widely documented.  But rewind to when these records were first issued and you find a public not ready or willing to accept and embrace the then-new, ‘crazy’ and ‘outlandish’ music being made.  Only when Bowie championed both the VU and The Stooges did their records start shifting in the UK.  Funkadelic had to wait until the mid 70s and their P-funk phase before any UK listeners pricked up their ears.

What I’m getting at is that 3 of the greatest and most forward thinking records of all time sold next to zilch here in the UK.  This record I now offer went unnoticed to all but the select few, Funkadelic’s ‘Maggot Brain’ now sells very well in its many reissues but the original UK Janus release is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, while the rarest of all is The Stooges original UK press of ‘Funhouse’ which in spite of its now legendary status was totally ignored on its release in December 1970.

So here we have an original 1967 copy of The Velvet Underground & Nico.  In Mono too, with many tracks sounding very different to the stereo mixes and not just that but in brilliant condition (both sleeve and vinyl!).

The single format front-laminated tri-flipback sleeve has been looked after very well indeed and will not be found much better at this late stage after 45 years.  These are the signs of age away from Mint: A little patch of foxing spots along the top front and a couple near the opening edges; some (very) slight toning to the back white panel; evidence of light handling marks to the right side here; one small crease to the front right edge and a few tiny (I mean tiny) ones to the spine edge and (very) faint ring impression to the rear panel.  These apart (and they’re all small faults), this is a superb sleeve with NO splits, tears, writing.  NO edge wear, hardly any corner wear, sharp opening edges and a solid unchipped spine with all text fully legible and proud.  Some people’s idea of excellent is a tired looking, softened sleeve with plenty handling.  This is anything but and has evidently been taken care of.  Lies flat with no rippling and is a real joy to have and to hold.  Grades a solid and true EX (Excellent) and should please most.

The original 1967 black and silver Verve labels are tremendous examples. They have the KT tax code embossed to Side 1.  The printed text is still fresh and bold (no dulling), there are no stickers, scrapes or residue and spindle evidence is very light.  From the look of it this LP hasn’t seen more than a half dozen plays.  Great labels.

The sharp medium weight vinyl is a brilliant example which on the face of it looks very near to mint. Side 1 shows virtually no marking bar a couple of small sleeve removal traces, while Side 2 is similar bar ONE medium length hairline and a little sweat patch on the run-in edge.  YOU WILL BE HARD PUSHED TO FIND THIS ORIGINAL MONO VINYL BETTER!  There are NO scratches, scuffs, ugly scrapes, embedded dirt or nasty dust pockets.  Visually, I’m hoping you agree with me when I grade it EX+ (Excellent Plus) just a touch away from near mint.  Looks lovely!  IT HAS BEEN CAREFULLY LISTENEDTO and plays incredibly.  One or two of the mono mixes really jump out at you and it amazed me just how crazy this LP still sounds in parts even after all these years.  Plays close to Mint with NO loud ticks, clicks, snap, crackle or pop.  There is no hiss, repeats, jumps, distortion or loss of clarity/lack of definition.  The quiet songs are just that – quiet and the louder songs exhibit a lovely mono warmth.  Fantastic play on this most important of albums!

Supplied in what I believe to be its original inner, this is a top example of the Mono UK 1st press of this landmark LP.  Don’t miss!

No reserve.

CHECK MY OTHER ITEMS FOR MORE ORIGINALS

My Grade is True!!! - I Will Not Let You Down!

I GRADE ACCORDING TO UK RECORD COLLECTOR ALTHOUGH I AM VERY CAREFUL USING THE EX GRADE WHICH I BELIEVE IS SOMETIMES ABUSED.

PAYPAL IS PREFERRED, PLEASE CONSULT MY TERMS.  PERSONAL CHEQUES/POSTAL ORDERS ARE ALSO FINE BUT ONLY IN THE UK - PAYPAL ONLY FROM OVERSEAS PLEASE.

I PACK WITH THE UTMOST CARE! THOUGH I CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE IN TRANSIT.  SPECIAL DELIVERY IS RECOMMENDED FOR ITEMS OVER £33.

NPB ALERTS WILL BE ISSUED IF PAYMENT IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 7 DAYS.  YOUR BID IS A CONTRACT. 

PLEASE MAIL ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUERIES OR CONCERNS - I WILL DO MY BEST TO HELP AT ALL TIMES. 

ALL PHOTOS SHOWN ARE OF THE ACTUAL ITEM

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