JOHN LENNON Imagine ORIG UK 1971 N/M COMPLETE Apple LP

	£		148
	$		196

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Artist or Band: JOHN LENNON – Plastic Ono Band

Album Title: Imagine (Original complete package with illustrated inner, postcard and poster)

Producer(s): John and Yoko and Phil Spector.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Imagine; Crippled Inside; Jealous Guy; Its So Hard; I Don’t Want To Be a Soldier.

Side 2: Give Me Some Truth; Oh My Love; How Do You Sleep?; How?; Oh Yoko!

Cat Number: PAS 10004.

Label/Format and Conditions: Apple – Customised format. This massively pressed original has the very deep inner ridge and very matt finished labels. Stunning clean and beautiful examples that show only a couple of ultra faint spindle traces (look hard too). The one owner told me this had been played just once and I would not argue for a second. Both these labels are close to pristine and look fantastic, just the way any serious collector would want them. (Please see label scans for all information needed).

Country of Manufacture: England

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: A hugely impressive 162 grams. Only the earliest pressed examles had this colossal weight, most average around 120 to 130 grams and many are lighter still. A 130 gram pressing is considered a very solid example. This is a super-heavyweight, the absolute ultimate first-pressed, this has the look and feel of those really heavy original Island records from the late 60s. Few records around this time were lavishly pressed to these impressive weights, with an impending oil crisis looming, vinyl was fast becoming thinner and even ‘recycled’. This reference standard pressing is pure class and those wanting a top copy of this landmark record, a better complete, all-round example is unlikely to be found.

Rarity & Details of What’s Included: This album is relatively common per se, but the very early pressings that include all the inserts in their original formats certainly are less so, especially in supreme conditions and there lies the difference. Firstly this record is massively pressed on super-thick vinyl and is immaculate for looks and plays with lovely clean sound. The cover is a beauty too with immaculate clear laminate both sides and no bar codes, these came later. Included also is the small postcard of Lennon holding a feeding pig by the ears, a reference to the cover of McCartney’s Ram album sleeve – this is as new and guaranteed original. The fragile flipback constructed inner, this is arguably the hardest part of this set to find at all and rarely will it be unsplit, this one has survived all these years with none and is really lovely example, just one corner crease but no tears or repairs. And finally, the poster, okay most copies will include this, even late pressings. But this original is very different, in-as-much its printed on totally different paper. The paper used on this first-print has a lined watermark, similar to ‘Conqueror’ made paper, its thicker, far heavier and more luxurious, with a slightly darker shade of white with a very fine textured like finish that can be seen and felt – all totally different to the later types which are smooth, no water mark lines and very white and much thinner. Hold this up to light and what appears to be a spooky female face appears near the first foldline. The contents of this set are all in superb condition (described in more detail below) – the owner simply ignored the poster and postcard, hence they had probably never been even handled before let lone ‘used or abused’. This is a stunning set and the record sensational, this will be immediately apparent to any winning bidder. These deep ridged pressings are the creme-de-creme UK originals, much, much rarer than the lighter repressings. I consider an original, complete, UK pressing of this landmark post-Beatles album quite rare these days and copies that remind of new are truly at a premium.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: YEX 865-1U / YEX 866-1U

Run-Out Etchings: ‘PORKY’ / ‘PECKO’

Brief Artist & Album Info: Regarded by many as Lennon’s first solo album proper, although the labels still credit the Plastic Ono Band, and a very powerful album it was too – a landmark recording in his amazing career. Here, Lennon veered from splitting anger in ‘How do you Sleep’, ‘Give Me Some Truth’ and cruel humour with ‘Crippled Inside’, yet the man was capable of intense romanticism as highlighted in ‘Jealous Guy’ and ‘Oh My Love’. Those who resented Lennon for being part of the Beatles break-up finally forgave him and began to love him again. The title track alone will stand as a classic of popular song forever. This phenomenal album charted at 1 in both the UK and US but finding a complete early pressed UK copy is never so easy especially when in such fine, barely even played conditions. This is a remarkable pressing with immense mass and weight. The last one of these I offered had the same matrixes and text, but was around 30 grams lighter, far fewer of these super-heavyweights are seen or offered. Pressing quality in terms of quietness is also an issue. So often I have heard UK copies that play with considerable surface noise, often crackly, even with distortion or clipping. This one has little, faint traces on that delicate piano intro are near impossible to avoid, but practically all this weighty cut has massively impressive, breathtaking sound and immense detail. The depth of sound from these practically ‘virgin’ grooves will blow most other copies away and the great man himself almost has an in-the-room presence. All contents, bar minor blemishes are the same high quality. This is a complete early pressed UK copy of one the most famous albums of all time and standards are very high indeed. The record looks brand new, there is not a noteworthy mark or blemish to the playing surfaces, it plays just the same as when first purchased. A copy for serious collectors and even the perfectionists can consider this stunning record and contents.

Cover Grade and Format: Mint(-) with any blemishes being tiny and faint. A single format, laminated front and back. Printed and made in England.

Cover, front, back & lamination: More often seen dulled and tired looking. This delightful example retains a deep rich shine and is crystal clear with genuine freshness. Both front and back have ultra smooth surfaces that almost have a glass-like appearance with no scuffs or marks. Even under light, the surfaces have avoided even hairline abrasions and clearly this has been little handled. A delicate cover in many ways and so often seen badly creased and falling apart. Rarely seen with no laminate lifting or blistering, often large and spoiling the delicate artwork, especially on the front. This one is as fully adhered as it will ever get, the front is totally devoid of any lifting and the back has the thinnest line trace on the spine as is almost possible to get. It’s almost an insult to mention it, but I mention all I see even it’s minuscule. Truly, I have never seen one with so few traces of friction rubs or dulling – this has practically zero, and the factory-fresh look is incredible. The laminate ends slightly short of full width on the front right edge, but even the fine exposed strip is pristine clean with no traces of any grime-line formation or darkening. The back central area of this edge has a small white area with a fine hairline cross which is a rare registration mark in manufcture. These are rarely seen on the finished cover, most removed in the finishing with the guillotine. I have never seen this on an ‘Imagine’ cover and only on the odd other title sleeve. The lack of creasing is a massive bonus too, there are NO creases away from the edges, and those present on the sides being few and ultra small and fine. No cover ever avoids a few of these. Both sides look immaculate and the artwork will rarely be found more attractive or fresher than this – one worthy of being framed. Do not underestimate just how difficult this cover is to find looking like this, one of connoisseur standard.

Top Edge: Looks as made to me and dead straight. A super-fine hairline laminate line near the centre if being ultra-critical.

Bottom Edge: The main folded back panel is almost as new and again very straight. The front overlapping panel is very neat with any burring minuscule. Very slightly thickened when viewed end-on, but being the resting edge, how many will avoid this. Here it’s as light as it realistically gets, and remember the weight of the vinyl inside this one since 1971.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear and no feathering, guaranteed, untrimmed. A couple of tiny burr traces, again being over-critical viewed end-on. Record entered on this right edge.

Spine and Text: A very fine and neat spine, the ends gently tapered in manufacture, this has minimal traces of compression and would have looked pretty much the same from new. All text is pristine perfect and unworn under the solid uncracked laminate.

Corners: All as manufactured with no wear, creasing or rubbing. All retain superbly pointed shape and no dinks.

Cover Summary: A stunningly attractive all round example of this classic 70’s cover, one that will prove immensely difficult to find better. It should please most-all collectors.

The Poster: Practically Mint as new: a supreme unmounted example (no pin-holes, cellotape or blue-tac marks etc), practically pristine, all fold-lines sound and solid. This is very large indeed at 22 x 33 inches (and not easy to photograph well). Ultra clean with no staining or nicotine blemishing (owner a non-smoker) and clearly hardly even handled and rarely, if ever unfolded. The odd tiny, faint tone spot on the white back if being crazy-critical. Genuine lined and watermarked, thicker luxury paper. Chalk and cheese when compared to a later made version, this varies immensely. It’s unlikely many better examples of this original poster will ever be found or offered.

The Postcard: Mint: clean and uncreased, razor sharp edges with pristine crisp corners. A bizarre insert really with Lennon holding a large pig by the ears while it feeds - a secret message for someone maybe? Even the back is unmarked and white and untoned, the front is totally devoid of any marks and the printed image is immaculate.

The Inner: EX++ and just one corner crease off Mint(-). So often split, grubby and torn or even missing altogether, this is a super example and truly, these are not easy. Still very white and incredibly unaged with minimal traces of darkening, toning or gum browning. NO edge splits which is remarkable given the thinness of the paper with no lining and the massive record inside. Unruffled, uncreased, bar one corner one as mentioned already and little record impression. The top opening edge is recessed and very neat also, the edges unthickened with no burring or splits. Fragile and looking lovely, never easy like this.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: I really am so tempted to grade this beauty as full Mint, which quite honestly it merits but I know it’s been played at least twice so my mandatory Mint(-) applies. A supreme visual copy with two immaculately clean playing surfaces that appear as unmarked as any vinyl record this age ever will be - this could easily pass for new. Ultra clean and shiny, intense black and massively pressed on thick heavyweight Apple vinyl, later pressings were much thinner, this has massive depth and power. The label ridges deeply cut, this simply looks different to the later ones and the sheer thickness and mass will be immediately apparent to any winning bidder. A copy barely even ‘run-in’ in vinyl terms. Visually a stunningly clean record that should please all collectors - even the discerning connoisseurs.

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 fantastic record plays up to its high visual grading with very little to fault. And I consider this title to be a difficult record, none more so that the very beginning. This one has strong, totally distortion-free sound with all frequencies sharp and clear. I have had several, mostly slightly later pressings of this title, most have at least some mild surface sounds especially on the vulnerable title track with crackle being almost half expected. ‘Imagine’ has only the faintest traces of any surface sound and most of this opening song plays very quiet indeed and way above average. The piano introduction is crisp and fully focused and this makes the difference. Absolute silence on this critical track is very close to impossible, but little is heard here. No pops or clicks were noted and a very fine all-round pressing too. The depth and richess of the sound is incredible, and actually made me stop and listen as the music flowed. Only my second example using my LP12 and Naim amp, this was true high fidelity nirvana. Any surface sounds are very few, light and brief and I enjoyed most of every second of this quite brilliant copy which is a gateway into the recording studio itself. The depth of the sound and details are breathtaking and Lennon’s voice has an in-the-room quality. Quite simply, this record is as issued and unspoilt by unworthy equipment or even use, I doubt if this super-heavyweight record has seen light-of-day for decades. A loud and dynamic mix that has real power, grace and incredible depth and fidelity, the finest of details are all immaculately gleaned from this almost ‘virgin’ copy. Super clean grooves with absolutely no wear at all – no exposure to damaging heavy needles for this copy. Only a lightly played, early pressing does this classic full justice. Practically nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. This copy will prove near impossible to find significantly better and this sets the bar high (but with this one on top, beware, it may bend).

End Piece: This is such an important album to own, one of the genuine all time greats and owning an early, heavy pressed, complete example is extra special. How many times do you find all the inserts in the cover when found at record fayres these days? – few to say the least (and in what conditions if they are present?). The beauty and importance of this phenomenal release is beyond any doubt and this one is close-to reference quality in all departments It’s a copy that does near full justice to it’s importance and I can strongly recommend it.

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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon Samba Moving Coil cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). 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.

POSTING & PACKING: 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, mostly the very next day after payment is received or within three days maximum (unless on holiday). All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT mailers) with 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 TWO VERY THICK stiffners for even extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed. The cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW heavy duty 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. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. 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. 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 offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than 0.1 per percent based on over 5,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per packet. I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included in the advert.

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 (SECOND Class Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = FREE. This is the new Ebay rule. HOWEVER I STRONGLY URGE UK WINNERS TO PAY THE £3 FOR THE FIRST-CLASS SERVICE AS THE PACKETS WILL ARRIVE MUCH FASTER AND SAFER.

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £3.

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

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

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £8. (insurance optional extra £3).

NOTE: I NO LONGER SEND TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION. ANY BIDS WILL BE IGNORED.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (any part); 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]) = £12. (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 minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help.

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’.