DAVID BOWIE (1st) IMPOSSIBLY RARE ORIG UK 67 STEREO LP

	£		510
	$		676

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Artist or Band: DAVID BOWIE

Album Title: David Bowie.

Producer(s): Mike Vernon.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Uncle Arthur; Sell Me a Coat; Rubber Band; Love You Till Tuesday; There Is a Happy Land; We Are Hungry Men; When I Live My Dream.

Side 2: Little Bombardier; Silly Boy Blue; Come and Buy My Toys; Join the Gang; She’s Got Medals; Maid of Bond Street; Please Mr. Gravedigger.

Label/Format: Deram – original large format with deep ridge (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both clean and attractive but side one has a smallish, fine and neat name as can be seen on my scan. Some mild handling marks seen under light and spindle marks are moderate. Clearly played several times but this has next to no reflection on the wonderful sound quality.

Cat Number: SML 1007.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 148 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 135 to 145 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, many 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 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Overview: Very Rare indeed: there is no doubt, this has to be one of the rarest original UK albums ever made by a major recording artist. This using the term ‘rare’ correctly, not taking conditions into account, but meaning the number of units pressed and sold. When I see the word used for records that sold by the million, it’s simply laughable. This 1967 debut album totally flopped and was just another obscure Deram album that failed to get noticed and was simply lost. So-much-so, it was another two years before the young Bowie issued another album, the Philips pressing of ‘Space Oddity’ that was also originally entitled ‘David Bowie’ – original copies of that and even his third album failed to sell well either and both are also rare – but neither as rare as this debut album. For the few that did sell, most were in the mono mode with stereo still being in its relative infancy. This gem was issued on the same day as the most famous album of all-time – ‘Sgt Pepper’ – whereas that album sold in massive numbers (but still described as ‘rare’ by many), pressing plants hardly keeping up with demand. This Deram album sunk almost without trace. Few would have shelled out for an unknown singer-songwriter at this time when ‘Peppermania’ and psychedelia was sweeping the nation (and world in general). No-one could have envisaged this young man would soon to become a phenomenon in his own right and the legend started here. Quite unusually for a young singer-songwriter, there are no cover versions on this 14-song album – all are self-written. There are few clues to the styles the man would later use on his future records and I personally feel this record has never received the full recognition and acclaim it truly deserves. An album of charm and quirkiness, but if listened to more closely, there are some very dark and taboo subjects within the ‘cheeky-chappie’-style lyrics. The songs vary in style and in Bowie terms, some can be described as almosts bizarre. Elements of Ray Davies and more so Syd Barrett with tinges of psych, no song is the same and there are use of other instruments that go uncredited. Lush strings and winds are employed too and some songs are truly gorgeous like the sublime ‘Love You Till Tuesday’. Very ‘English’ lyrics and tongue-in-cheek content but some very dark moments too, none more so than the very strangely eerie and macabre final song ‘Please Mr Gravedigger’. As his popularity rose to later super-stardom, this album was the predictable victim of rehashed compilations, but none give that satisfaction of an original with the correct full track listing in the correct order, and of course, the cover remains unique. An album of considerable skill, daring and imagination, the few who did hear it initially were probably somewhat perplexed to know where this man was going; and it was sometime before the question was answered. By then, this album had disappeared and this has always been a much sort-after rarity. Let’s be honest, if any Bowie collection ‘complete’ without it? Of the low numbers pressed, most all were mono and special mention has to be made on the album’s sound quality. The stereo mix is fantastic, it has gorgous two-channel sound and imagery, it really did take me by surprise. I also have to mention condition because this seller’s main goal is to provide the highest possible sound quality from any record I offer. No, this is not a prelude to offer a rare album with poor sound, far from it, this ultra rarity sounds FANTASTIC, and plays little short of perfect with just a couple or three faint ticks over the entire duration. Although this has had two previous owners and has clearly been played a number of times (but far from excessively), this record retains supreme sound and beautiful, practically reference standard audio quality. It was a pure joy to listen too my very first and only copy of this title, indeed it’s the only copy I have ever seen before in stereo with my only other ever sighting was a mono that being a totally trashed effort that was left well alone. This only real issue is the cover – a tale of two sides – the front is in superb condition and on its own can be graded excellent. The unprotected backside had been protected with cleartape that overtime has dried and fell off. The main area of ‘wear’ is the top edge where the tape was prematurely removed and pulled a relatively fine strip in places. A fully, more detailed presentation of the cover is further down. But I said, the record and it’s playing quality is always for me, the most important factor and this record plays beautifully. Sometimes I think even extra pleasure can be gleaned from a genuine ultra rare album if it is less than perfect. It just proves how massively hard it is to find something better, and the back cover clearly has issues but it still hardly bad as I hope my picture shows. You cannot play a cover can you?, and the front looks fantastic and that has to be the more important side of the two. The early portrait of the ‘thin white duke’ will probably prove immensely difficult to find better than this. I have even taken a close-up to show that lack of damage and detail of the front side, it looks wonderful. I cannot overstate enough just how hard and how seldom one of these will ever surface to be made available for sale. An immense opportunity for the serious Bowie fan. If any of the ‘flaws’ mentioned above (and in more detail below) are an issue, do not bid. But you may wait some considerable time before another comes on the open market for sale. The rarest Bowie album by a distance, fact.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: ZAL-7754-1W / ZAL-7755-1W

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 O / 1 U

Musicians: David Bowie – vocals, guitar, saxophone; Derek Boyes – organ; Dek Fearnley – bass; John Eager – drums. The winds and other instruments, including sitar are uncredited.

Cover Grade and Format: I cannot grade a cover of two distinctly different sides definitively. So I will grade the laminated front as very close to Excellent. And the more vulnerable unprotected back side as Fair to Good. A single format, the front is laminated with Clarifoil that covers all the closed edges and ends on the spine edge. Printed and made in England by Clout & Baker. Importantly, this has the correct and very rare stereo mode and SML 1007 Cat. No. It has NO repairs or enhancements, just careful removal of some clear tape on the edges where it remained.

Lamination & Front: Firstly, this cover is made from very thin card, as thin or even thinner than the early Rolling Stones Decca albums. Deram, being part of Decca has just the same format cover and they are highly delicate and fragile and vulnerable to just about all forms of wear. Rarely is the laminate seen on them fully adhered without significant creasing. Large lifts occur as the laminate tightens over time with unsightly blisters forming that spoils the beauty of the artwork beneath. Although the cover has had suffered some ‘use’ on the back, the front looks fantastic and has NO lifting and any creasing light, few and pretty minor. It appears the owner in the distant past put clear tape around the vulnerable edges to protect it long-term. This indeed at the time seemed like a good idea and it does protect and stop the edges splitting. The problem over time is it dries out and darkens and eventually falls off leaving residues on the non-laminated areas. The front however, is unaffected. I carefully removed any of the tape still attached and any minor mark was easily cleaned off leaving a gorgeous looking front. The take help eleviate edge wear and probably protected from creasing and even lifting. I doubt if too many stereo original cover front will look much better these days (if indeed you can find another). There is just one tiny pull on the left edge (present when it came to me) but little else. A superb shine is retained as well as fully clarity with minimal friction rubs or dulling and no peeling of any noteworthiness. The lack of deep creasing is fantastic news and quite honestly, this portrait of the young Bowie is good enough to frame. Of course, a few light surface marks are visible under light as is a mild record impression. But any near 150 gram record inside such a flimsy thin card sleeve for over 40 years will never avoid this. The richness of the artwork’s colour and lack of gouges, scuffs or tears is fantastic news and truly this front I consider exceptional.

Cover Back: The back has fared less well, that said, the main areas of the printed panel areas have not a great deal to fault. Most of the issues lie around the sides and most of any real note on the top edge. This appears to have a line of small writing, some has now gone as the tape on this edge was clearly removed some years ago and the new owner put his name just below (this matches the label name). Quite small and neatly and on a dark area, hence it shows little. The pulling on the top edge is moderate and a factor of course. The bottom edge has one pull also but most of this edge is fully intact. The left edge where the tape was still attached but now gone, has left a residue brown line that most will have seen before. It resembles toning which many vintage covers have. The spine edge has no real issues has it was laminated. The main panel has two moderate creases and again mildish record impression but not really rubbed enough to call ‘ringwear’. All the text is present and undamaged as is the black and white picture of the man himself. The blurb is by Kennith Pitt, it gives an early insight into the then, 19-year-old Bowie. Generally, it’s clean with few actual marks to the printed matter. So the back has issues, I will not try to hid the fact, it’s obvious on my picture. But taken into context, hardly that bad – the superb front more than compensates. Again I state, the record for me is more important than cover flaws. That’s the part to be used and enjoyed, but do not underestimate this rare cover, the front being so nice makes it one that CAN be enjoyed and as the back has no ‘really serious’ problems to the main areas, enjoy it for what it is. The very first made, ultra rare David Bowie cover, enough said.

Top Edge: Barely any real wear, the tape did was it was applied for – to protect.

Bottom Edge: Same again, I must reitterate again just how thin these edges are, nice to see them all unsplit or even stressed to any great degree.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Remaining quite sharp with little wear, no feathering and guaranteed untrimmed. The tape again has protected this ultra fragile ‘working’ edge. Most of these are seen frayed and very tatty looking, often split with significant tearing. Clear tape adhesion in the past is not always bad news is it? Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: Quite solid, fairly straight with minimal compression. Many of these type of covers badly bow as the laminate contracts and pulls in the corners, but this has avoided this to any major degree, again that tape reinforcing has helped eliviate this problem. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid and mostly intact laminate. One small pull near the centre.

Corners: The corners have rubbed a little but being white, it has only limited and minor visual impact. These retain fine to very fine shape with only light tip area creasing on a couple.

Cover Summary: A cover with a past for sure, but now devoid of any tape, which remember, was only applied by a discerning collector to protect the longevity of his precious sleeve. At the time, it was considered a good idea to stop edges splitting and falling apart, and in that respect it was true as the edges are intact and solid. Only over time does the tape age and cause problems but this truly could have been much worse. With front looking exceptional and really attractive, this more important side sets a very high standard. The edge issues on the back are fairly fine and (personally) I can easily ignore them being situated where they are. I prefer to enjoy the major positives over the lesser negatives but that’s for you to decide. If anything concerns you, do not bid. But remember, it could be months, even years before another one comes along in stereo. I state again in all truth and honesty, this is one of the rarest major artist albums ever made and they do not come along often. Again I confirm, this has NO repairs, it did not require any.

The Inner: This came to me in a blue stereo Decca-style inner in fine condition. Predictably, it has aged a little but fully intact.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EX(-), (side one slightly less, side two above). A very nice visual copy that is clean with a fine shine, intense black and quite heavily pressed. A copy that has a few, mostly fine surface marks, mostly on side one, but practically all are ignored and have no impact on the superb audio quality. A record played a number of times but being a Decca pressing, these could withstand use. For me the world’s best record manufacturers, their quality and longevity is second to none. Visually a lovely record that should please many collectors and this could (and will) last indefinately with careful use on quality equipment.

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 miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This near impossible to find original, stereo record plays above its visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered and just a couple or three faint ticks were noted, and these mostly between songs. An exceptional clean pressing and unaffected by past playing. Without any doubt, this has not been subjected to any old mono record players. The first owner almost certainly owned superior stereo equipment or he would have (like the few others who bought this album on first issue) bought the mono version. The sound is absolutely superb with beautiful separation and natural stereo imagery. Hearing these vintage Bowie songs as a first pressing went beyond my wildest expectations, truly the 19-year-old man could been in the room with you. Beautifully produced by Mike Vernon, this is a gateway into his early world and recording studio. Only a very tiny percentage of record collectors will have experienced this before and it’s a privilege not to be missed or taken lightly. Any fan of the living legend could not be impressed by this 1967 pressed album. Few surviving copies will outperform this early pressing significantly I feel sure. I do not know how many of these were pressed in stereo, but I am confident enough to say, very few indeed. Both channels are clean, sharp and fully focused for the entire duration. Yes even those inner-most songs where the tracking angle becomes more critical. Even on my clinical LP12, which takes no prisoners in revealing all the great sound as well as the bad, this record sounded incredible. This record will prove immensely difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended. Visually, neither record or cover are perfect, that is obvious, but sometimes items are just so rare, slightly lower visuals often have to be compromised. When they sound this good however, that more than compensates and I truly feel few will be disappointed with the audio quality of this album.

End Piece: I state again, this really has to be one of the rarest albums I have yet offered by a major artist. Only the mono Lennon album ‘Two Virgins’ offered earlier this year was rarer (and that was little short of trashed). This beauty is not. Collector will know the collectability of this man’s work and the Deram label itself, there are several major rarities on this Decca subsidiary. Most of which I have seen or had before with a few exceptions. This is an absolute first for me, and when major league dealers tell me they have NEVER had one, that should be evidence enough to suggest just how scarce this is. Almost inconceivable for such a huge name in music, but true. Few, if any had even heard of this man when this debut album was released. Now 43-years later, he is still making music and as popular as ever, one of the most collector artists in the history of popular music. Listen to this original, possibly for the first time (like me) on vinyl and re-evaluate these songs. They just sound so right on a first issue with the correct sound that has no need of remastering or tweeking. Regarding ‘wear’, well many tell they do not care for perfection on old records, indeed they like to be reminded of age and a little imperfection is more than acceptable (this is obviously a matter of opinion). Certainly the cover does that, the record’s sound however gives few clues in terms of sound that has barely deteriorated at all. Only the song styles have changed from what is considered the ‘normal’ Bowie sound. But this remains a very personal and essential chapter in this man’s work. A young artist full of ideas and listen closely to the lyrics that are not as innocent as they may appear. After hearing this for the first time on the real thing, it has opened my eyes on this early chapter of his career. A beautiful experience of charm and some darkness. An elusive ‘lost’ treasure, I hope this finds the home it deserves. Any questions, please ask – do not let this slip the Net. Please see also my immaculate ultimate first-pressed ‘Ziggy Stardust’ I am aso offering.

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/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). 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.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW 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. 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. All records are posted in professional thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). 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 THREE or EVEN FOUR ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. The thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 6,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

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 & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

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

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

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. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

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’.