I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

Black Cat Bones : Barbed Wire Sandwich 1A / 1A 1st Mono press 1970 Decca Nova

This is easily the finest example of this very collectable first pressing on the Decca Nova label that I have ever seen or played and to say it plays well is an understatement!  There is no actual intrusion on either side and the clarity of sound and the audio definition is incredible.  Not only has the vinyl hardly been played but it has been so well preserved also, visually it is stunning.  I cannot emphasise enough just how well it plays - there are no ticks, clicks or pops and only a small number of insignificant statics and half a second of static!  There are so many highlights, well the entire album basically!  The classic 'Feelin' Good' and 'Four Women' are just two examples.  This truly is blues rock at its very best and of course this is the more rare mono version.

The cover is in excellent condition with not too much wear - mainly just some light laminate creasing on the front and the original red mono inner is in excellent shape with only a couple of very small tears on the top edge.  It has the mono / stereo indicator hole on the back cover which incidentally is very clean.

This genuine first press has the 1A / 1A matrix and the 'B' stamper on each run off meaning that it was one of the first off the 'printing press'.  A rare example in amazing condition!

DN 15 // ARL-9431.P-1A / ARL-9432.P-1A // B 1 / B1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T1 & T3 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint)

The laminated cover is Ex-

The red mono inner sleeve is Ex-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a superb glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only find a small number of very faint hairlines with only one on S1 T1 that is a little more obvious but it is still faint and has no affect on the superb audio.  It is clear that the record has not been very much based on the stunning visual quality, the audio and the fact that there is hardly any spindle wear on the labels.  There is a little 'mottling' on the run out grooves but you can still easily read the matrix info and the JT tax code on both.  This is a superb example of this rare record.

Play grading

The intro on 'Chauffeur' plays perfectly and Short's opening vocal is close to that with only a couple of very minor ticks.  It has to be said though the clarity is so impressive and it plays with that deep warm mono sound.  No background static at all.  The mid solo section from Price is stunning, it just could not play any better, and the next vocal has no intrusion either.  The remainder plays to the same high end standard and an example of the 'clean' audio is Short's powerful vocal near the end - it has no distortion and the closing is basically perfect with only a couple of barely audible statics.  From start to finish it plays with exceptional quality and Near Mint is a fair assessment of the audio although the vast majority is certainly better than that!

The intro on 'Death Valley Blues' plays with outstanding clarity once more and the opening vocal has no interference with - a couple of mega quiet statics only.  More stunning guitar work from Price again during the long instrumental section - classic blues rock at its very best!  I cannot emphasise enough the stunning precision of the audio - the playback is so strong and deep and the closing vocal section is equal to that.  A superb Mint- version.

The opening vocal on the classic 'Feelin' Good' is so quiet and yet the clarity of sound is amazing!  No intrusion at all.  As Price comes in there are only a couple of minor statics and as the rhythm section join in the playback is flawless.  This is so good!  Half a second of minor static just before the volume increases and this section then plays with impeccable power and clarity.  By now it is obvious this vinyl has hardly been played!  I cannot put into words just how clean and precise the audio is and this section can easily be played to the max without fear of distortion, it is STUNNING!  The next quiet instrumental / vocal plays to the highest standard possible and this clarity is prevalent to the very end.  I mean wow what a version!  I will say Near Mint but 98 to 99% is Mint without doubt.

'Please Tell My Baby' plays with real power and depth from the get go.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and if there is any vocal distortion it is kept to an absolute minimum.  Nothing noteworthy put it that way.  The in / out / in quiet piano sections at the end play perfectly and overall Mint- is deserved.

The final track 'Coming Back' plays with a sonic quality that is hard to fault.  You might expect some inner groove distortion and yet the audio is so strong, clear and deep and has no intrusion.  Another Mint- track and a near perfect side in my opinion.

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'Save My Love' plays with impeccable power and definition through every section, definitely a highlight of the album.  Again there are no ticks, clicks or pops and it just plays majestically!  The high octane instrumental just could not play any better and Brooks' brief bass section that follows plays with incredible clarity also.  Short's acapella end vocal remarkably has not so much as a dust tick and the 'busy' finale is flawless.  This is is Mint all the way.

The intro on 'Four Women' plays to perfection and the opening vocal has only two minor statics at the start and no other background.  This entire section is so quiet and yet it continues to play with STUNNING clarity.  There is one brief static sound a little further in and a handful of mega quiet statics but honestly it could hardly play any better, you could hear a pin drop!  Remember this vinyl is now 55 years old!  The final section also plays with exceptional quality and this has to grade as Near Mint at the very least.

The opening vocal section on 'Sylvester's Blues' plays beautifully and as the volume increases the audio is just as strong and clear.  From then on it plays with stunning quality - deep, rich powerful audio with zero distortion - and the quieter end section has no background either.  A superb Mint- version.

The final track 'Good Lookin' Woman' ends the album in fine style.  By far the longest track it plays with phenomenal audio through every section.  I heard only one minor static and there is no inner groove distortion, another sign that this stunning record has hardly been played.  Price's work here is so strong - it has a long instrumental section and the sonic quality is out of this world!  Incredible power, depth and clarity in equal measure and the long fade out plays with sublime clarity also.  This is without doubt a Mint- conclusion to this classic and rare album.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The cover is in excellent order with only a little wear and there is nothing that stands out.  The edges have hardly any wear and the spine is also very clean and remains 100% legible, just very slightly compressed at the top.  The corners are in excellent condition and the opening edge looks hardly touched.  The laminated front cover is unmarked and has just a few small laminate creases, minor wear top and bottom right and a small amount of rubbing by the top left edge.  Some light ringwear also which you can only see when you tilt the cover at a certain angle.  The back cover of course is not laminated and is very clean considering with only a couple of minor blemishes and some ringwear again.  As you can see it has the mono / stereo indicator hole in the top right corner.  A fine example overall.

The original poly-lined red mono inner is in excellent shape with no side splits and has only a couple of small 'nicks' / tears on the top edge and some creasing.  It is so clean with no marking at all.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

DN 15 // ARL-9431.P-1A / ARL-9432.P-1A // B 1 / B1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

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LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £22.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!