Thank you for looking ... I have already listed several very special Jethro Tull LP's and there are more to come over the next few days. Please look at my other items.

Artist: Jethro Tull

Title: This Was Mono ILP 985 ....  The very hard to find Second (Band?) Mix

The story as best I can find out.....

Jethro Tull's first album was recorded in 1968 in glorious mono and released in mono on the eyeball label. ILP 985

Then a stereo was 'created' from the tapes that the band reportedly didn't like .........'eyeball label' ILPS 9085

So then a new stereo mix was made ... which we assume they did like. ....the 'pink i label' onwards

And then this one came along .... a mono recording of that 'improved' mix.....

Now I know that the 'eyeball' mono is supposed to be rare ...... but it appears that for every 100 of those 'eyeball' beasties listed you'll only see 1 of these ' pink i' beauties.

The 'pink i' may not be so fashionable today but it is much, much rarer ...........and from the mix the band appear to have preferred.  

These LP's are so rare as very few were made and/or sold as most people who wanted a mono LP had just bought the eyeball version. 

So if it's rarity and associated investment value you want.... this is one to go for.

Why not search for 'this was mono' on ebay worldwide right now to see for yourself

This copy is in simply fantastic condition considering it is over 45 years old.... it has been played and is not in mint condition though as there are a few wispy surface marks. I have inserted 'Record Collector Grading Guide' at the bottom of this page to try to help ... but possibly more importantly, I have also posted some high quality pictures so that you can better see what is on offer ... .

Artiste(s): JETHRO TULL

Disc Format: 12” LP

Recording Format: MONO

Record label: ORIGINAL ROUGH PINK ISLAND 'i' label

Catalogue Number: ILP 985

Country of origin and first published date: GT BRITAIN 1968

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices side 1:     ILP + 985 + A

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices side 2:     ILP + 985 + B

Musicians:

Ian Anderson – lead vocals, acoustic guitar, flute

Mick Abrahams - electric guitar

Glenn Cornick – bass guitar

Clive Bunker – drums, percussion

Vinyl: The original marvellous heavyweight vinyl. This LP has obviously been played but still has an amazing shine for it's age and clean, deep grooves. It does have some light surface marks but no heavy scratches. There are so few of these around, I've never seen a mint copy listed on any site..

Sleeve: I have included several high quality pictures of the sleeve to demonstrate the wide spine which in itself is very rare. The pictures also show the beginnings of edge wear (There are no pen marks on the sleeve or labels.)

Labels: The bright pink rough labels are very clean with no heavy spindle marls ... again see pictures.

In summary, considering the record guide below; I guess this could be described as excellent... but I'll be safe and settle for VG+++

Packing:

For both of our benefits, I will only post overseas fully tracked with insurance ... so please wait for an invoice before paying so that I can get a price to post. The price indicated is only a guide as it depends where any winning bidder lives.

The LP will be lovingly and securely packed with stiffeners and the record removed from the sleeve.

I am of course proud of my 100% positive feedback and am sure the winning bidder will be very happy. 

and even if not .. I will be happy to sort out any problems and there is of course the ebay guarantee. So safe bidding is ensured!

and please look at my Jethro Tull other items listed... 

Record Collector Magazine's Grading Guide:

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

BAD: The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection filler."

As well as the above grades, Near Mint is often used as well; this is really for a record that appears new but is known to have been played because the label has light spindle marks or because it has come from a previous owner and is assumed to have been played by them.

For records which appear to fall between the accepted grades, + and - are also often added to the grading.