John Mayall Plays Live at Klooks Kleek RARE 70s Boxed DECCA Mono Re-press EX+

	£		40
	$		53

Hard-to-Find U.K. 70s Red Label Boxed DECCA MONO re-pressing of John Mayall’s ‘Plays John Mayall Recorded Live at Klooks Kleek!’ L.P. (Catalogue Reference: DECCA Records LK 4680).  Now Discogs has this categorised as a re-issue but this is simply incorrect.  This is a Decca re-pressing (as opposed to re-issue) from the early-to-mid 70s and this fact is confirmed in the retention of the original Decca catalogue number and is further confirmed by the matrixes which follow on from the 1965 issue.  The matrixes read ‘ARL-6711-3A’ (Side One) and ‘ARL-6712-2A’ (Side Two) (this is versus ARL-6711-2A and ARL-6712-1A on the 1965 issue).  This suggests to me that it is actually the 2nd pressing but I wouldn’t want to be quoted on that.  Further to this it retains the identical sleeve contruction to the 1965 issue being of thin cardboard which is laminated on the front extending around the spine and onto the rear by about ten millimetres.  All the references to ‘British Celanese Limited’ and ‘James Upton Ltd’ which can be found on the original 1965 issue are present and correct.  I have a strong suspicion that the sleeves were pressed much earlier than the records and stockpiled.  I’m convinced that this is an original mid-60s sleeve into which a later vinyl pressing has been slotted.  The pressing itself is typical of Decca pressings from the late-60s onwards namely boxed Decca labels which are raised slightly above the playing surface.  This comes from my own personal collection and is going because in the 15 years I have owed it I have never bothered playing it.  Clearly, this statement means that it was purchased second-hand however, it had seen only the most sparing of play before coming into my possession.  This is a truely lovely example of this rare L.P.

CONDITION: EX+ (VINYL) / EX+ (SLEEVE): You can tell from some limited spindle ‘drags’ around the spindle hole that this has seen some play but it has obviously been very well looked after.  The only marks we are talking about here is the kind which need an intense light to be seen and even then they are few and far between.  There are very isolated clusters of the finest, wispiest hairline marks which appear to have been caused by a few fingertips on the playing surfaces.  Considering the age the surfaces display very little dust and they really shine.  It is obvious this copy has never seen heavy play and has likely not been played in decades.  The sleeve is very close to a NM grade.  The laminate shines in such a way that it really does look like it was applied yesterday.  The rear is arguably as white as the day it was pressed.  The flaws which prevent me grading this as NM include a light crease on the rear of the sleeve near the spine which follows the outline of the record and which manifests as a bend (but not a crease) in the laminate on the front.  There are then two small creases in the laminate which run parallel to the opening edge of the sleeve and which have been caused by the sleeve being gripped between the fingertips whilst the vinyl was removed.  The edges are pretty damn sharp and sharp is definately a word you would use to describe this sleeve.  I doubt you’d find a better example of the sleeve and combined with the exceptional condition of the vinyl makes this a truely lovely example of this rare Mayall record.

GRADINGS – How I Grade

My items are visually graded under an intense light using my nearly 20 years of experience buying and playing records.  I am a record collector first and foremost.  I would say my grading is on the conservative side however, it is also realistic.  Realistic in the sense that sometimes even brand new records are not immaculate.  Some items are play-graded and where this is the case it will be noted in the Item Description.  Please note that it is my assertion that 99.9% of issues which might be experienced upon playback of a record can be identified through visual grading.  I’m a longstanding Ebayer so please feel free to check my feedback if you have any concerns about the quality of the items I list.  As always please review my images if you have any concern about the condition of a sleeve!  A picture speaks a thousand words!  

GRADINGS - Description

MINT – If used to describe the condition of a record the item will be sealed.  Mint will rarely be used to describe the condition of a sleeve however, it will mean the item is sealed and no storage damage is evident.

NEAR MINT – When used to describe a record it will mean that it is hard to discern that the disc has been played.  When viewed under an intenselight there might be the odd hairline mark however, you would really have to look hard for it.  Ultimately, the vinyl will look like it has just been made.  When used to describe a sleeve it will mean that the sleeve has no shelf-wear or storage damage.  The sleeve will look like new.

EXCELLENT+ - There will be an indication that the record has seen some play but not heavy play.  When viewed under an intense light only the tiniest, wispiest hairline markings will be present and not excessively so.  The vinyl will retain a great sheen.  A sleeve described as EX+ will display minimal shelf or storage wear including an odd crease or the stubbing of corners, slight fraying to the opening edge.  Ultimately, the sleeve will still be a superior example.

EXCELLENT – There might be an indication that the record has seen a reasonable amount of play and handling however, it has been well looked after.  Superficial surfaces scuffs may be present but no marks of real substance (i.e. which will affect playback).  Under an intense light it is likely that a relative volume of hairline marks are present.  A sleeve described as EX will display shelf or storage wear including creasing, loss of print (due to rubbing), possible stubbing of corners etc.  The sleeve will not display any substantial flaws.  Ultimately, it will be a solid copy.

VERY GOOD+ - I will rarely list vinyl for sale described as VG+.  Any vinyl listed as VG+ will have a detailed condition description included in the listing.  The description VG+ is more often used to describe sleeves.  Often VG+ describes the condition of a sleeve which was of very cheap manufacture (think 1970s EMI sleeves or Polydor late 60s/early 70s) and therefore more prone to display the vagaries of time.  A sleeve described as VG+ will not be a basket case.  It will likely display a reasonable volume of creasing, a reasonable amount of rubbing/stubbing and possible the odd substantial flaw.

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