GRATEFUL DEAD Anthem of the Sun RARE Orig UK 68 EX++

	£		98
	$		130

ONEADAYRECORDS – NO Reserves – LOW Starting Bids – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Please see my Detailed Packing Description Further Down & All Shipping Costs and Options – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment.

Artist or Band: THE GRATEFUL DEAD

Album Title: Anthem of the Sun.

Producer(s): The Grateful Dead.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: That’s It for the Other One; Cryptical Envelopment; Quodlibet for Tenderfeet; The Faster We Go, The Rounder We Get; We Leave the Castle; New Potato Caboose; Born Cross-Eyed.

Side 2: Alligator; Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks).

Label/Format: Warner Bros – first press orange format (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with only a very few light spindle marks seen under light. Indeed side one has barely any at all.

Cat Number: WS 1749.

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: 127 grams. A very good average weight for this album.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Rare: few people in the UK shelled out to buy a first issue of this album. It ranks as one of the most elusive in their catalogue. This first issues includes the original sound mix, this was changed in 1972 when repressed again making this the copy for the connoisseur ‘Deadhead’.

Original Year of Release: 1968.

Matrix Nos: WS 1749 A-1 *G STEREO / WS 1749 B-1 *G STEREO

Mothers / Stampers: E 1 / F 1

Musicians: Jerry Garcia - lead guitar, acoustic guitar, kazoo, vibraslap, vocals; Bob Weir - rhythm guitar, 12-string guitar, acoustic guitar, kazoo, vocals; Ron ‘Pigpen’ McKernan - organ, celesta, claves, vocals; Phil Lesh - bass, trumpet, harpsichord, guiro, kazoo, piano, timpani, vocals; Bill Kreutzmann - drums, orchestra bells, gong, chimes, crotales, prepared piano, finger cymbals; Mickey Hart - drums, orchestra bells, gong, chimes, crotales, prepared piano, finger cymbals; Tom Constanten - prepared piano, piano, electronic tape.

Brief Info: A much more complex and innovative album compared to the debut, the band wanted to change their sound and give this studio album more feeling of what they sounded like live. The history of the production and mix of this album has always been complex and even Garcia admitted it sounded too far out with an intricate mixture of multi-instruments and crazed psychedelia that uses live edits and studio sound all inter-mixed together. It was remixed in 1972 with a different sound and feel, of course, this first pressing has the original sound. Regarded as a classic of it’s type and a ‘Deadheads’ favourite, this had little commercial potential, especially outside the US and finding this album has always proved difficult. This is another super example (I sold one several weeks ago on Ebay) the sleeve a work of stunning art and finding one better will prove difficult. This rare acid-psych album encaptures the mood of the day perfectly.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): a single format with front laminate and arguably a notch better than my grading. This wraps around the closed edges and ends on three external rear flipbacks. The main back panel is matt and smooth finished. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse and includes the ‘Patents pending’ text (please see close-up picture).

Cover Front: Stunning artwork that looks absolutely immaculate when laminated, as only the early pressings were. The richness of the beautfiul artwork colour has to be seen for real to be fully appreciated and this retains a shine and clarity almost like new. All fully adhered with no lifts or blisters and even under light, minimal traces of friction rubs or dulling. A little around the rim shape near the top and bottom, but even this shows little. The only reason this is not graded still higher is for a few surface creases. One near moderate one on the bottom edge, any of the few others are mainly edge hairline types that few will ever avoid totally. Indeed, there is just one very small and light half moon on the actual graphic of the artwork. The right edge has an unprotected strip where the laminate ends naturally short of full width, but even this vulnerable area has barely a hint of any wear (and NO tip-ins). One of the classic acid-psych covers of this period and a considerable work-of-art.

Cover Back: The back has aged little, the main unprotected back panel has minimal traces of discolour or grubbiness and no toning. The flipbacks are in very fine and solid condition – even these retain super shine. These do have some fairly fine surface creases but the ends are ultra clean with no grime lines or burring. This another impressive cover that comes quite close to the previous one offered.

Top Edge: Little short of as-made and straight too, being quite thin, this is some achievement.

Bottom Edge: As above with one tiny, microscopic surface chip.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly sharp with minimal wear and guaranteed, untrimmed. This has a slightly rustic cut in manufacture so these were not absolutely razor sharp (the previous one was exactly the same). Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: The spine is in strong condition with little to fault. Solid, mainly straight, with any compression modestly light, this has neatly tapered ends in manufacture. All text is perfect and unworn under solid, clear. unpeeled and barely cracked laminate.

Corners: Any tip rubs or chips are tiny and light. All retain excellent shape.

Cover Summary: I love this cover, the artwork is just so 1960s. Just a few, mainly light creases off a near Mint(-). So few of these original laminated covers will ever survive much better – few were even made or sold – this has always been an elusive album. A work of genuine art from this psychedelic period and most collectors will enjoy it.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: a plain white lined inner that has aged little. One corner crease and a finer one below. The lining solid and ultra clear as seen through two pristine window circles. All edges unsplit with no repairs and this is very clean looking. It is UK patented with ‘Foreign Patents Pending’ text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(++): and this conservative grading hardly does this vintage record full justice. A super visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and solidly pressed. A copy very lightly played on all the evidence and these are seldom seen like this. Any surface marks are very few, fine and faint as seen critically under angled light. Visually a super record that should please most-all collectors. These rare acid-psych albums rarely get seen or offered so clean and very modestly played and generally well looked after.

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 snippets 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 first mix original record plays up to and most-all even above it’s high visual grading with very little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a full dynamic range and unique original sound – I remind, this was remixed in 1972 making the original mix scarce especially as this did not sell in any great numbers – especially those on the prized orange labels. Any surface sound is very brief and light – a little surface sound in the pressing was heard a little into side one, but blink and you will miss it lasting barely a second or so. Little else registered and no pops or significant clicks were noted and this is overall, a very clean pressing. No old pile-driver mono stylus have been inflicted on this one. This will seldom be seen or offered a great deal better. Few copies will match let alone outperform this rare first issue I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very modestly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled within a non-smoking environment. Nothing of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record that should be a ‘Deadheads’ delight. This copy will prove very difficult to find better and merits strong recommendation.

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 VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

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 new VPI-17 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 boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are 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 at least TWO, 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. When larger boxes are used, 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. 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. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners 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 7,000+ items sold in nearly 10 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 stiffeners 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 FIVE 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: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

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 [£46 maximum]) = £10. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; 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 [£46 maximum]) = £14. Add £4 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an 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: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. 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 necessarily 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’.