BOB DYLAN, BLONDE ON BLONDE, 1966 UK MONO 1st PRESS

	£		112
	$		148

Hello and welcome to my auction. My name is Nick - aka “playgraderecords”. I have been an avid record collector for many years. Although I like lots of modern music, my passion is for classic blues, psych and progressive albums from the mid 60s to the early 70s. I don’t sell many records – the ones that I do sell are either duplicates from my collection or top quality examples sourced from record fairs or my local record shops.

I take pride in the care and attention that I give to every record that I list for auction. The records from my own collection have always been stored upright in polythene sleeves away from dust and light. These seldom require any cleaning other than just a quick dust using a sticky rubber Nagaoka Rolling 152 and a carbon fibre anti-static brush before play.

Each new find is sympathetically cleaned to remove visible dust, debris and fingerprints, before being critically assessed for the quality of play. If I think that the audio can be improved by a deep clean to remove a build-up of debris embedded in the grooves, I will clean it using a tried and tested isopropyl alcohol based record cleaning solution. I have refined my cleaning method over the years to a fine art, and am confident that the results are far superior to those achieved by the popular vacuum cleaning machines. In reality, the playback of most 35+ years old records will be improved massively by a proper clean.

Consequently, the records that I offer for sale will be immaculately presented and will play to a very high standard with barely any unwanted surface sound or static to spoil the listening pleasure.

Each record is strictly graded, and any significant defects to either the record or the sleeve will be highlighted. I will not conveniently forget to mention faults in order to sell for higher prices. If I grade a record as being in MINT- condition, you can rest assured that it will be both visually and aurally a near perfect copy which will be impossible to significantly improve upon!

Customer satisfaction is very important to me and I aim to provide a professional 5-star service to make the Ebay experience an enjoyable one.

Okay, now that I have given you little background information about myself– its time to get on to the important bit:

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the iconic studio double album by BOB DYLAN titled “BLONDE ON BLONDE”, Catalogue Number DDP 66012. This is a 1966 UK MONO 1st PRESSING on the CBS RECORD LABEL, with a superb 1st issue laminated gatefold sleeve. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue orange and white CBS inner sleeves which advertise other CBS albums of the period.

The copy for sale here is a genuine 1st pressing with the earliest rough-textured labels (which state 33 rather than 33 1/3 as on all later pressings, and carry the earliest B. Feldman credits). The matrix numbers are the earliest A1, B1, C1 and D1. The sleeve is the 1st issue which has 4 internal flipbacks along the top and bottom edges. It also has 9 photos inside the opening gatefold spread, including the one of Claudia Cardinale which was soon removed due to legal problems.

The laminated gatefold sleeve is in EX condition (strictly graded) with only the lightest signs of wear and a few minor creases. The front and back covers are completely unmarked with the laminate fully intact and the colours unfaded. The opening gatefold spread is also unmarked with perfect flipbacks top and bottom. There are a few minor discoloration marks near the inside right opening edge. The spine is square and solid with perfect text. There are no rips, splits, writing or anything else. You can see from the photos that this is a truly excellent sleeve. I think that it will be very difficult to find a better one.

The top quality CBS records are very solidly pressed and sit flat and true on the turntable. Both retain a deep mirror-like shine and the playing surfaces are beautifully clean. 

The Matrix Numbers are:

Side 1 – DDP 66012  A1

Side 2 – DDP 66012  B1

Side 3 – DDP 66012  C1

Side 4 – DDP 66012  D1

Visually the records are in EX condition with just a few very light sleeve-removal/storage type surface marks evident under bright light. These are only superficial and do not cause any significant audio problems whatsoever. The beautiful rough-textured orange CBS labels are all unmarked with only a few spindle traces near the centres. I would estimate around 6 to 8 spindle traces on each label. There is virtually no wear to either spindle hole. I am confident that the records have only received a few careful plays.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

These are top quality CBS 1st pressings which play with outstanding sound quality. The mono playback is particularly loud-cut and vibrant. Both records play essentially as new with no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. With the exception of 3 background ticks in the middle of “Sad Eyed Lady of the Lowlands” playback is as close to perfection as you are ever likely to find. It may be a long time before another copy of this standard comes up for sale.    

Complete with the correct CBS orange and white inner sleeves which advertise other CBS albums of the period. These are both in VG condition. There are no splits to the edges – just a short tear to one opening corner on each inner and a few creases.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are 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 which do not sound, and barely any discernable 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. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe up to £39 value - £9.95

Europe over £39 value - £12.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £13.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £15.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs