ROLLING STONES Let It Bleed V RARE UK MONO COMPLETE N/M

	£		820
	$		1,087

IMAGINE – Walking into a record shop in the late 60s, filing through the racks, and finding …

Artist or Band: THE ROLLING STONES

Album Title: Let it Bleed

Producer(s): Jimmy Miller.

Chief Engineer: Glyn Johns.

Assistant Engineers: Bruce Botnick, Jerry Hansen and George Chiantzalias.

Cat Number: LK 5025.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Gimme Shelter, Love in Vain; Country Honk; Live With Me; Let it Bleed.

Side 2:Midnight Rambler; You Got the Silver; Monkey Man; You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

Label/Format: Decca – rarer red boxed mono format.

Label Conditions: Both in truly astonishing conditions and this set in general could almost pass as new. These are immaculate with just one small light spindle trace on side one and none at all on side two. This from the collection where the owner played once or not even at all. I have never seen this monumental classic in mono looking quite like this before and I doubt if many copies of this album will still exist in such conditions.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 142 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Regarded by many collectors as the cornerstone of any Rolling Stones collection, this legendary title in mono is high prized and elusive. Genuinely rare now in terms of numbers made in mono and complete copies in pristine condition are nigh-on impossible to find and truly I think this copy on the boxed format is even rarer than the unboxed. This was the last Stones album to be issued in mono and also the last to feature Brian Jones before his tragic and untimely death. As the 60s drew to a close, the mono format was largely on its way out and the majority of new titles within this year were not made in the single channel mode. Most people who still wanted mono records purchased them very quickly on issue and the repressings on the new label format were in less demand and probably less issued. Those who did buy the mono version usually did so to play on mono equipment which so often resulted in wear and damage from heavyweight, thick and often worn mono stylii that were far more prone to inflict groovewear. So many of these get seen (when available, or even in collections) with large marks, deep scratches and a multitude of spindle marks and rarely with such copies play with enjoyable sound especially on modern critically revealing equipment. This copy on offer has NO such abuse, in fact it looks played no more than ONCE and plays with PERFECT sound . I have never experienced this album in mono that actually sounds brand new. An absolutely incredible piece of vinyl that will remind those of a certain age what this brand new records once looked like. This truly is a gateway into the recording studio and sounds amazing. Not only that, the cover is practically like new as well and even includes the sticker - in fact its identical to the one that housed an unboxed first issue. The red Decca custom inner is included, also in great condition and the poster too, near mint and unmounted. This could conceivably be the greatest copy of this legendary mono album in existence. How many others will be offered played only twice (including my play-grade?), this goes beyond rare, its truly sensational. I can hardly stop looking at the sleeve. Cover protected from new and still looking factory fresh - unbelievable but true. Rare? - this elusive and unusual boxed mono copy goes beyond that - the impossible does exist and its here.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: XARL 9363.P-1A / XARL 9364.P-2A

Stamper Codes: 1 G / 1 UM

Brief Artist & Album Info: Without doubt one of the most important mono albums ever made and its always a real pleasure offering a very clean copy with a beautiful stickered cover, inner and ultra clean, unmounted poster. One of the genuine greatest albums ever made by one of the greatest 60s UK bands - a truly essential album to any serious vinyl collector. It was one of the last original classic UK mono albums pressed late in 1969. By then stereo had largely replaced the ageing mono format for new issues and was the last classic to be issued as such. This copy would have been pressed only a few months after the unboxed issue and probably in even fewer numbers as demand for the single channel mode diminished still further. I have hardly even seen this title on the boxed labels before and never in this league for condition. For sure this masterpiece has to be heard in mono, its one of the great vinyl experiences - it has to be played loud. The sound and mix are quite different and this is not just for the connoisseur, no-one could fail to be awestruck by this very special album and recording. The last Rolling Stones album to feature the presence of the band’s creator, Brian Jones. It was a brilliant culmination of all their musical influences throughout music’s greatest decade. The power of the opening track, ‘Gimme Shelter’, will haunt many forever with the memory of the Altamont murder, Jagger’s top hat and scarf and the death of the sixties. The repeated line, ‘It’s just a shot away’, complements the repetition of the naively profound lyric of the album’s last track: ‘you can’t always get what you want’. The filling in-between, like the layered cake on the cover, is equally delectable. This copy on offer is complete and all parts, bar the inner that has a few creases, are like new including a barely even run-in record. The sheer pleasure in hearing a pristine perfect copy of this record in mono is not to be taken lightly. When was the last time you saw a copy even EX?, this copy is little short of factory fresh. The playing surfaces are like mirrors and practically unmarked bar the odd minuscule surface trace. If all records of this vintage were like this, I would hardly even need to grade. A connoisseur’s world-class example and with boxed labels you will rarer ever see offered.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: High: Always prone to laminate blistering, dulling and the back, ringwear, rubbing and grubbiness.

Cover Condition and Details: I have rarely been more tempted to grade a cover as full Mint than this. Cover protected from day one and quite possibly never removed until I took my pictures. Few would argue I feel sure, this is simply sensational and exactly the same as the ones with a unboxed record inside. A single format, the front is laminated with Clarifoil and has the original sticker on front (which is immaculate, pristine as made). Peep hole on back to identify mono or stereo copy from the colour coded inner – mono being red, stereo blue. It was printed in England and has the UK Patents Applications No 43212/68 number – all identical. A jaw-drop gorgeous example of one of most famous covers ever produced and this is up there with the very best I have ever seen or had to offer from any title since selling on Ebay. A cover that absolute maximum justice to the huge importance of this landmark recording. This is a close to reference standard as any cover ever will be.

Cover Lamination and Front: Firstly, can I make this clear, this cover is made from thin and delicate card making this sleeve very vulnerable to most forms of wear. This front looks stunning and I truly mean that – factory fresh with the ultimate deep and glossy shine and crystal clarity, the famous cake will never look better than this anywhere. It’s fully adhered and devoid of the blistering and lifting seen on so many. Any sliver trace on the spine edge is barely even worthy of mention. This can never be taken for granted and although any non-adhesion has nothing to do with ‘wear’ this and any cover is better seen without it. So many Clarifoil laminated covers lift and blister especially on the spine edge and to find one that has avoided it I consider a massive bonus. This enhances further this cover’s incredible looks. Not only that, this one has avoided any noteworthy creasing, even light hairlines around the edges have largely been avoided with just the odd trace if scrutinised up very close. No friction rubs or dulling, the surface is almost like glass in its smoothness and the surface like ice in the sun with barely even any surface marks or even hairline traces under light. The laminate wraps around the spine edge on to the back and the front right edge ends slightly short of full width and the exposed strip remains pristine clean and unworn with no grime-line build-up or damage. There is no peeling, mottling and devoid of pressmarks. The hugely important sticker, so often removed by buyers at time of purchase, is immaculate and has not been picked at or ever removed, that will be more than obvious from my close-up picture, it remains exactly as it did when purchased from new. The protective cover has meant this sticker has not aged one iota and I have never seen one quite like this before. That famous old cake will never be found better than this and that is as close to a guarantee as I can offer.

Cover Back: Not laminated but still looking incredible and hardly a hand has ever made contact with it. The peep-hole is neat and nice to see a RED inner filling it denoting a mono copy inside (please see this detail in close-up). I am struggling to find a single trace of a crease on the whole surface and the lack of grubbiness is amazing, any traces are minuscule. The laminate on the spine edge is again fully adhered and shiny and its end clean with any traces of grime-line formation tiny and faint. No ringmarks or wear whatsoever, the owner had the foresight to keep the record outside so no pressure was applied to the vulnerable surface. Has anyone reading this advert ever seen this cover with NO record pressmark on either side? Well this has NONE. By some distance the very best back I have seen on this cover, it complements the astonishing front perfectly.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both as made, totally unworn.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, razor sharp with no wear or feathering, crisp and devoid burring. Record entered on this vulnerable wear prone side.

Spine and Text: A beautiful clean spine as well. Solid and straight with minimal traces of any compression, this has manufactured tapered ends that are still very neat. All text is unworn under the very solid and uncracked laminate (and even this is shiny). This early cover has both mono and stereo numbers on its spine. Importantly, still pure white with no age toning or darkening and yes this can and does happen on laminated spines.

Corners: All four immaculate as made. Crisp and pointed with no creasing, dinks or rubs - wonderful.

Cover Summary: In terms of classic vintage covers, this is a piece de resistance, and I truly can hardly imagine finding a better example - this is as close to perfect as any will ever be. I have seen some very nice items in the past few years but few have thrilled me more than this. Such a fragile cover and some blemishing is almost expected, but to see one like this almost brings a lump to the throat. If only all could have been kept in such wonderful condition but alas, we all know that is not the case. Many carelessly stored, roughly handled or simply used and abused. This is the one that time has forgotten and it will long linger in my memory after it goes. No other one will ever compare, a truly wonderful example that will delight every connoisseur needing one.

Inner Condition: EX++, given its delicate disposition, this is a fantastic example. Constructed from really very thin paper it is unlined and was way under-strength for practicality and longevity, but this is clean and neat and has only modest creasing. Without these I could have graded Mint(-). Unusually, there are no edge splits or tears and marks or blemishes are very few indeed. The original owner put an anti-static ultra soft lining inside for maximum protection and stated the creases were present from new. This is no major surprise as the packers in factories were hardly that careful at times, we all remember such blemishes from the distance past. This one has no black overprint that often covers ‘With The London Bach Choir’ which is far rarer to find. General wear has been avoided and this thin inner is often seen with deep ringwear, but none is evident on this one. Given all the facts with so many seen ripped, torn and split, this is an amazing example.

Poster Condition: Little short Mint, again the very best I have ever seen, this is perfect. Ultimately attractive, printed on one side only and on the thinnest of paper, no wonder so few survive like this. This has just two manufactured folds, no splits or weakening on the fold lines and no noteworthy creasing or ruffling at all. This is as fresh and clean as manufacture day and the matt surfaces probably have seldom, if ever been touched. It’s the original flat matt version, proving how early this boxed copy is, reprinted posters had a more glossy finish – there is quite a difference visually. It is much sort-after and very important to any collector for this album. Importantly, this is unmounted with no blu-tack, cellotape or pin-hole damage and the back is clean, pure white and untoned - please see my poster pictures. Both sides appear almost as new and this unforgiving matt surface is prone to showing all handling marks – once fingermarks are applied to its surface, they are virtually impossible to remove. A fantastic example of this elusive insert and it will please all collectors, these are incredibly difficult to find like this.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Like the cover, I am surely tempted to grade Mint but this has been played twice and I can detected a couple of ultra fine surface traces in sunlight entering my window so I will say, undergraded at Mint(-), but if anyone has a mono copy of this in better condition, well I sure would like to see it. This is an astonishing sight, one of the greatest mono albums of all time looking almost as new – we all know what most look like these days and this is almost like the crown jewels for a Stones collector. An immaculate visual copy, given all the facts of mode, age and popularity, this has to be one of the greatest mono records I have ever held. This is a super clean record with a mirror-like shine, intense black and heavily pressed. There is hardly a noteworthy mark or blemish on either playing surface. Even in manufacture, few ‘brand new’ copies would avoid the odd minor surface mark or scuff, but this has survived nearly forty years! A world-class reference copy, this puts the bar up to maximum height and with care will last forever. Visually a supreme record that should please all collectors, even the perfectionist connoisseur.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This rare record with its unique to vinyl mono mix plays up to its high visual grading with nothing whatsoever to fault. This has strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is pristine with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound and the mono mix is quite different to the more commonly found stereo version. Fully focused and quiet sound, this is a gateway into the recording studio itself and will prove years of flawless sound if treated with respect it deserves. So many examples subjected to heavy needle abuse, badly marked and totally worn out. This copy has avoided such traumas and even on revealing modern equipment gives the ultimate sound the connoisseur audiophile listener demands. Even the ultimately difficult final song with its fragile choir plays supremely well and this is never easy. I have examined these immaculate playing surfaces as closely as possible, and there are no flaws in the manufacture, sometimes I have seen (and heard) pressing blisters or pits on this title but this one has none. It has and gives forth the ultimate sound quality throughout and not even one pop or click was noted. Both channels are clean and sharp, I know this record has only been played twice and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled within a non-smoking environment. Nothing whatsoever spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove almost impossible to find better and is unreservedly recommended to all collectors.

End Piece: How many copies of this one will truly still even exist in ‘perfect’ conditions? Well this one does and I am proud to offer it. I am a critical listener and I would never personally buy a mono copy of this album that has not been play-graded, this is a minimal mandatory service for any potential buyer of this hugely important record. Groovewear or damage cannot be seen and I have heard really disappointing copies of this and other mono gems that appear practically unmarked but play with unwanted groove sounds and clipping. This record has NO high frequency clipping or distortions and is immaculately pressed. This is a genuine near mint complete UK copy and that is rare enough to find like this. Many regard it as the crown jewels of Stones albums and remains totally essential - in mono it’s the cornerstone of any serious collection – the cherry on the famous cake, but never underestimate the stereo original either. I still feel the boxed label copies are rarer than the unboxed, I simply cannot remember the last time I saw one. The mix and sound on this format is unique, and many seek it out on bootleg CDs – forget it – this is real thing and nothing comes close. This mono copy was never really designed to be played on high-end stereo turntables but my LP12 made this sound pretty amazing. A ruthlessly revealing deck that brings out all the wonderful details and all what’s good about vinyl (unfortunately the bad too, if present, but nothing here). It’s clear detailed sound takes you almost into the recording studio itself and this is the definitive copy to own. This no way undervalues the stereo version because both are vital, they are just different. This mode is unique to vinyl and was not available for very long. Let it Bleed charted at one in the UK and three in the US, a big seller but mono originals are a different matter. It’s a title that always features high in any all-time greats list whether compiled by critics or the record buying public. Its classic stature and timeless brilliance is etched into these vintage mint grooves forever. With the correct care, this fine record will last indefinitely and give pleasure for many more years. I am more than happy to give this the highest recommendation I possibly could - if a mono copy is wanted regardless of label design, do not lose this sensational copy.

… Purchase, take it home and listen to it for the very first time – no other version will ever sound the same and that’s a promise.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

POSTING & PACKING: What You Get: I now offer the fastest possible posting, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within 48 hours maximum. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with the record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with TWO thick stiffners for even extra protection. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. Printed address labels are used for clarity and well as sender label. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but NOT surface mail abroad. I never make profit on posting and offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends, with the total costs including ‘standard’ or ‘optional extra insurance’ P&P – ALL UK and Russian packets go out non-negotiable Recorded Delivery. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 4,000+ items sold in over 7 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional.

PLEASE NOTE: I will now only send packets to Russia with Recorded Delivery at a cost of £7 per single LP. If this is unacceptable to Russian collectors, please do not bid. I only want my records to arrive safely and this gives packets a better chance to do so. Also ALL UK packets will be sent with either Recorded or Special Delivery as standard (both have to be signed for). All shipping costs and rules can be found after my description. If they are not acceptable, please do not bid.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & OPTIONS:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (First Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4 (OPTIONAL).

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: ALL EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA (NOT RUSSIA, see below) (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £5.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £9 (OPTIONAL).

Posting & Packing: RUSSIA (Recorded Only, if this is unacceptable, please do not bid):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ only £7) = £9 (OPTIONAL extra insurance as above).

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet Standard with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) = £8.

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with included Insurance to Item’s ‘Sold’ Value, £500* Maximum) = £13 (OPTIONAL).

* If Rules allow for that country.

PLEASE NOTE: I always get a Royal Mail ‘Proof-of-Posting’ receipt for ALL packets that are sent out and I am happy to prove this to any customer who wishes to see it via email.

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders.

The customer can choose their method of shipping with the exception of second class or surface mail overseas – these I will NOT use. The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£35).

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.

PLEASE NOTE: I Have been VERY reliably informed by a highly respected collector, that this copy is an equal 'first pressing'. This collector remembers to the day buying this album, in mono on the day of issue and it was a boxed format copy (not this actual copy hasten to add). Issued right on the transation period from unboxed to boxed labels and possibly the two formats were distributed regionally. I have known this collector for some time and trust what he says 100 per cent and this information comes as no real surprise – Mike