The Fortunes 3B/3B 1st Mono Press 1965 (Debut)

This mono first pressing is not one of my usual 'offerings' but anything on the grooved red Decca label is collectable in my opinion and especially in this condition!  It is easily one of the finest records I have ever found from this era and at 56 years old it really is a time-warp classic. The audio quality is close to perfect with only one light click at the start of S2.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning!  Not only that but the vinyl is visually stunning and you would not be disappointed if you had just purchased it 'new'!  It has hardly been played judging by the audio and the minimal spindle wear.  A superb example!

The cover is in superb condition with hardly any wear and is so clean, probably kept inside a pvc sleeve all its life.  The original Decca inner is also in great shape with no side splits etc.

This first press has a matrix of 3B/3B and is also one of the first off the 'production line' as it has the first ever Decca stamper of B1 on both sides.  Maybe it was the first ever pressed!

LK.4736 // ARL-6991-3B / ARL-6992-3B / B 1 / B 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 Near Mint)  

The laminated cover is Ex+

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex

You would not think this vinyl is 56 years old!  It is in fantastic condition and still has an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  There are no scratches and only a small number of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines.  There is one very small and very faint 'faded' area on S2 but it is hardly worth mentioning it is so minor.  The run out grooves (with the KT tax stamp on each side) are perfectly clean and the Decca labels are unmarked with only very minimal spindle wear.

Play grading  

Their first big 'You've Got Your Troubles' quite simply plays 'as new' with no sign of any interference, there is not even a single dust tick.  The clarity is flawless and the depth of the audio could not be any more impressive.  An assured Mint start to the album.

You then have complete silence in the dead wax which shows you just how 'clean' the grooves are.  'Looking Through The Eyes Of Love' then plays to the same 'high end' standard with no intrusion.  No distortion on the top end either and this is easily another Mint track.

Both 'Won't You Give Him (One More Chance)' and 'This Empty Place' play flawlessly.  No ticks, clicks or pops and no background static either.  They both qualify as Mint

The self-penned 'I'm Still Alone' plays to the same standard with no interference not even on the fade out.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is equal to that of any un-played record.  Mint

The final two tracks 'If We Lived On Top Of A Mountain' and 'You Can Have Her' play with imperious quality from start to finish with, you guessed it, no interference.  The latter has barely any of the inner groove distortion that you so often find and Mint is again deserved for both.

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The classic 'Maria' has just one light click on the intro but otherwise plays to perfection.  The clarity is absolutely STUNNING and there is no background static.  Near Mint

'Laughing Fit To Cry' and 'Coloured Lights' keep up the good work and play with wonderful clarity and no intrusion.  Mint

I have played the final four tracks in full (as I always do) and I can confirm they all play with outstanding sonic quality and there is literally no interference to be heard.  'Time To Be Going' really shows that The Fortunes could pen a damn good tune and it plays with great quality.  The final track 'Here It Comes Again' which provided them with another hit plays with very powerful audio and again has very little inner groove distortion and should not be downgraded as such.  This is a mono record being played through a stereo set up.

In summary this first mono Decca pressing plays with sublime clarity from start to finish with only one minor click at the start of S2.  This is without doubt one of the cleanest most visually stunning 56 year old records I have ever seen and that is why I have included it in my listings.  Stunning!

The Cover & Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in superb condition with hardly any shelf wear.  The edges are unmarked and the thin pinched spine is near perfect with only 2/3 very faint crease lines and all of the corners are in great shape with barely any wear.  The opening edge has only very minimal handling wear and remains very clean.  The front cover at first glance looks 'as new' and only on closer inspection can you see a couple of very faint laminate creases and a handful of small creases next to the spine.  The white back cover is in great condition with only minimal marking along the top edge and one small mark bottom right.  There is also the original price 32/2 written top left.  It has been preserved very well and it's incredible to think it is 56 years old!

The original poly-lined Decca inner is in great order with no side splits or tears, no marking just a little creasing.

Play Tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

LK.4736 // ARL-6991-3B / ARL-6992-3B / B 1 / B 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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