HERBIE HANCOCK Maiden Voyage 1965 US BLP 4195 MONO Blue Note RVG EAR DG VG+/VG+

	£		532
	$		705

HERBIE HANCOCK - MAIDEN VOYAGE

A very nice condition copy of this 1965 US Blue Note 1st press jazz holy grail - lovely original outer sleeve and impressive sound quality throughout

Year/Label : 1965 US BLUE NOTE Label number : BLP 4195 Matrix numbers :  BNLP-4195 A, BNLP-4195 B (with "VAN GELDER" stamped and the Plastylite cursive P "ear" etched into both side 1 and side 2 run-off's)
Very good plus (VG+) condition vinyl (most would grade as "excellent", I am sure) - weighty and completely flat, and displaying a beautiful jet black sheen - in normal daylight both sides of the vinyl come across as unmarked and it is only with close scrutiny under a bright light that just a couple of very small and very light scuff marks and extremely wispy hairlines can be identified, along with just the hint of some occasional very light "shadowing" (you will need to tilt the vinyl to the right angle in a good light in order to see it) : obviously nothing feelable, each appearing to be purely superficial and certainly nothing to impinge upon the audio quality - indeed, the impressively excellent playback is testament to this. Note the etched "Plastylite cursive P or "ear" and stamped "VAN GELDER" on each of the run-off's, synonymous with US Blue Note 1st pressings of this rare LP.   Excellent (EX) condition labels : very close inspection under a bright light reveals a few small and very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label, but no other blemishes at all. The circular "deep groove" is present on the side 1 label only - again, a 1st press indicator. Note also the 1st press "BLUE NOTE RECORDS INC  NEW YORK USA" label text. Each label contains the "BBC LIBRARY" stamp.  Very good plus (VG+) condition outer sleeve.  This sleeve has been laminated on both sides by the BBC library with, on the front side, x2 BBC stickers on the outside and a further sticker between the original sleeve abd BBC laminate; the reverse side has x2 BBC stickers on the outside. On both sides there is the "RETURN BBC LIBRARY" stamp on the original sleeve. Certainly the stickers on the outside of the laminate (back and front) are removeable, the sticker on the front side between the laminate and original sleeve may prove to be more of a challenge (though on the front side the laminate has come away from the original sleeve so this sticker is accessible). But for me these BBC stickers serve to authenticate the rich history of this rare 1st pressing so why tamper with any of the stickers?! I should add that the original sleeve itself remains in excellent condition with firm unscuffed edges, no creasing, near perfect right angled corners with no rubbing, rigid spine with all spine text remaining perfect, and all colours and text remaining in great condition. Do take a close look at my photos.  Overall excellent (EX) mono audio quality with no skips, jumps, repeats, sticks, distortion or interference, and any background crackle is at an absolute minimum - just the merest hint of some very, very light background crackle during a couple of very short passages on side 1 - nothing really. You may also come across the very occasional and very background light click - there are only a few (you will need to listen hard to spot them) and in each instance close inspection reveals no obvious cause - presumably down to the odd speck of dust caught in the grooves through decades of storage. Crystal clear mono sound quality throughout with great tone and each and every track remaining a great listen, and no wonder with these jazz luminaries in top form : Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), George Coleman (tenor sax), Herbie Hancock (piano), Ron Carter (bass), and Anthony Williams (drums). There is complete silence on both sides during the run-in's and run-off's which is always a sure sign that the record has been well looked after and, as you would expect with any BBC library record, this is certainly the case for this record - a lovely copy.  Comes with original "26 YEARS BLUE NOTE" advertising sleeve in excellent condition with no edge splits or tears and just some mild creasing in the bottom two corners. Note that I always ship the vinyl in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.    One of the most sought after US Blue Note 1st pressings with this copy being worthy of pride of place in any jazz vinyl collection.
POSTAGE COSTS :  

For the UK £3.38 using Royal Mail tracked 48 (ebay's "simple delivery"); 

for continental Europe £12 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked, 

and for the rest of the world £18 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked. 

I do provide posting and packaging discounts for multiple purchases. I make no profit from postage.

Note that I always insert the vinyl into a new plain white poly-lined inner sleeve in order to protect the original during postage, and separate this from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits. I use thick cardboard stiffeners and take great care in my packaging to ensure as far as possible that these precious records reach their destination in exactly the same condition as when they leave me.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 60's and 70's classic vinyl.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 55 years from a variety of sources : my own collection, friends and family, car boot and garage sales, door-to-door leaflets, and even through placing an advert in my wife's shop window! My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I will sort out the problem. I offer a "no questions asked" refund policy. If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. There is NO RESERVE on this item. Richard

Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines.