I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

John Mayall with Eric Clapton : Blues Breakers 1A / 1A Unboxed Red Mono 1968

This very early unboxed / not grooved red Decca mono pressing plays with exceptional audio and when I say exceptional I mean 'as new' really!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is phenomenal and it is without doubt the most 'complete' version of this classic album that I have ever heard - there is no background, total silence in the dead wax between tracks, it just could not play any better.   A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic in every way.  The vinyl is visually stunning and certainly has not been played very much.  This record has been preserved beautifully.

The 'clarifoil' cover has also been looked after so well and remains in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The red mono inner is in superb shape with only a little creasing.  A stunning 'package' all round.

The original first press mono was released in '66 and I believe this one was pressed in '68.  A second press I would say and it is so rare to find it in this condition.

LK 4804 // ARL-7297- 1A / ARL-7298- 1A // UM 7 1 / UM 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The red Mono inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is stunning!  It has a lovely glossy sheen with no marks or scratches and looking under a bright light I can only find a few very faint insignificant sleeve removal hairlines.  The red mono labels are unmarked and retain their original deep colour with only a little spindle wear.

Play grading  

Clapton's intro on 'All Your Love' plays perfectly and Mayall's opening vocal is just as impressive.  There is no background and it continues to play with a quality that defies the age of the album.  Obvious through every section!  The mid instrumental is a prime example of that - a showcase for Clapton's talents it plays with stunning quality and the final vocal section keeps up the good work.  As you would expect from a clean mono record the playback is deep and rich and it provides a superb Mint start to the album.

The instrumental 'Hideaway' is absolutely stunning!  The guitar work here is phenomenal and McVie's bass adds so much to the overall sound.  I cannot overstate just how clean the audio is.  You can hear each note so succinctly and there is no distortion on the top end.  The definitive Mint version you could say.

'Little Girl' plays with impeccable quality from the get go.  Every vocal and instrumental section plays with sublime quality and once again Mint is deserved.  There is no intrusion not even a dust tick, perfect clean audio.

The harmonica intro on 'Another Man' has no background and the opening vocal section is equal to that.  A relatively sparse track there is no room to hide here and yet the clarity is again 10/10.  Another Mint track with another perfect fade out :-)

The piano intro on 'Double Crossing Time' could not play any better and the same goes for the first vocal.  Clapton's mid instrumental is equal to that and the remainder is just as strong with zero intrusion.  Already I am running out of superlatives for this incredible album!  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is STUNNING!  Is this album really over 55 years old!  Mint

'What I'd Say' ends the side with.... phenomenal quality once more.  Mayall's intro has one barely audible static - it really is a stunning intro.  You can turn it up to loud with no fear of distortion and the same applies to the opening verse and chorus.  It continues to play with outstanding quality - the instrumental is just off the scale STUNNING and of course features great work from Flint.  The final vocal section is flawless and from start to finish this is Mint in every regard.  Wow what a side!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

'Key To Love' on S2 plays with stunning precision throughout.  There is exceptional audio separation and there is not one single negative.  Mayall's voice is so strong here and the audio is as clean and fresh as the day it was released.  Mint

Another cover with 'Parchman Farm' and it plays with incredible power and depth with no sign of any interference.  I know this may be a little repetitive by now but the sonic quality is just astonishing.  Mint

The long intro on 'Have You Heard' plays to perfection and the opening vocal is just as strong.  From then on it plays with such quality and again there is no intrusion on the audio.  Typically stunning work from Clapton again.  Running at nearly 6 minutes this is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is again deserved.

'Ramblin' On My Mind' features Clapton's only vocal on the album and his first ever on record.  The audio is crystal clear from start to finish - a less 'busy' track and yet there is no underlying static and the playback could not be any more impressive.  Mint

The instrumental 'Steppin' Out' plays with genuine quality with no sign of any interference.  'As new' is not out of place and neither is a Mint grade.

The final track 'It Ain't Right' is a powerful number and yet there is no inner groove distortion.  The sonic quality is incredible - power and definition in equal measure it is STUNNING and it brings the album to a sublime Mint conclusion.

In summary this very early mono pressing plays with spectacular quality on both sides with no background.  In essence it plays 'as new' and that is a bold statement to make I know for a vinyl that is over 55 years old.  However, I been selling on eBay for a number of years now and I recognise Mint audio when I hear it!  I do not exaggerate my listings as that helps no-one and my feedback confirms that.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio could not be any more impressive and it is very much a FINAL UPGRADE archive pressing.  The dead wax between each track is silent and that alone gives you a good idea of the clarity on offer here.  I have sold a few of these down the years but never one as 'complete' as this and together with a superb cover and inner this will add to any high end collection.

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

 The cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear.  The edges have barely any rubbing and the thin pinched spine is 100% legible with just a minor hint of wear on the corners.  The other corners are also very clean with no obvious wear and the opening edge has no handling wear at all.  The laminated front cover is very clean with only three light creases next to the spine and a little faint marking running down the right edge as is common - the 'clarifoil' does not quite reach the end of the front cover.  The non-laminated back cover is in great shape with only the bare minimum of fading / spotting around the edges and minor creasing top right.  A fine example overall and it would be difficult to find better.

The original red mono poly-lined inner is in superb condition with no side splits or marking and very little creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

LK 4804 // ARL-7297- 1A / ARL-7298- 1A // UM 7 1 / UM 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!