BLUES BREAKERS JOHN MAYALL WITH ERIC CLAPTON SUPERB 1966 UK DECCA MONO 1st PRESS

BLUES BREAKERS JOHN MAYALL WITH ERIC CLAPTON SUPERB 1966 UK DECCA MONO 1st PRESS

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of the Blues Breakers' iconic studio album titled John Mayall With Eric Clapton, Catalogue Number LK 4804. It's a 1966 mono first pressing on the Unboxed Decca record label, with a first issue MacNeill Press, London, front-laminated sleeve with the iconic photo of Eric Clapton holding a copy of the Beano on the front cover. It comes complete with the correct Decca poly-lined inner sleeve. [The record matrix numbers are the the earliest ARL-7297-1A and ARL-7298-1A].

The sleeve is in EX condition with just light signs of wear and a few minor creases. The laminated front cover is unmarked. The back cover has some age discoloration near the edges but is otherwise clean and bright. The spine is in excellent shape with all text clear. It's a lovely example of this iconic sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record is in EX(+)condition. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are just a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The red Unboxed Decca labels are unmarked with only a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops, repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. The mono sound quality is particularly powerful and vibrant with lots of wonderful guitar effects. It is without doubt the best copy that I have ever owned. 

The Decca inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb first pressing of arguably the Blues Breakers finest album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £8.50

Worldwide - £11.50