CREAM - “ THE FRESH CREAM”

plus two ultra rare press cuttings

First U.K. Pressing

Matrix Side 1. ''W 594001 A//1 1 1''  Side 2. '' W 594001 B//1 1 1 '' 

Catalogue number 594001 on Robert Stigwood Organisation’s Reaction label

Originally released 1966

Overall condition is EXCELLENT

Sleeve EXCELLENT The sleeve is laminated on front (full-colour print), and unlaminated back (black & white half-tone print). 

Some ringwear with some creasing and some light rubwear to the edges of the front laminated picture sleeve. The unlaminated rear has some age related fading but otherwise is in excellent condition with the colours still very bright there isn’t any writing, taping or stickers;

Printed and made by Ernest J. Day. Ltd., & Co. Ltd London, W. 1. Patent Pending. Managed & Distributed by Polydor Records Ltd., for The Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd. ? 1966 

Spine EXCELLENT there’s only minimal edge wear and the spine is firm and totally legible but has some slight creasing.

Inner Sleeve The original poly lined inner sleeve is still in good condition. I will also include the original plastic outer that I bought with it, although it is starting to split slightly at the top, it still fits tightly and has successfully kept the dust off for all these years

Record EXCELLENT It’s pressed on heavyweight vinyl The record itself is clean and glossy and the disc retains its deep, black vinyl sheen.

There are some faint hairline marks on both sides but nothing ugly or deep to affect the sound quality

Labels EXCELLENT These are the Classic UK 1st Press untextured, silver print on blue Reaction labels with Made in England ? 1966 A Robert Stigwood Production on both sides
The labels show some minimal signs of use, have no writing and are clean with minimal spindle marking. The labels are clean but some very small flecks or underlying silver print where the blue has worn off (see pictures)

Audio Quality EXCELLENT The record itself is clean and glossy and plays well apart from two quick pops on Four Until Late but none of the usual vinyl hiss and crackle between tracks to detract from the overall sound, which is still amazing. It lays flat on the turntable and plays well without the needle sticking or jumping. 

Until 1970 I only ever played my albums on a Garrard Sp25 Mk11 with a Sonotone 9TAHC cartridge and from 1970 onwards on a Pioneer PL12D with a Shure N75 ED-T2 cartridge and stylus, tracking at 1.5 grams which I continue to use today – although the stylus has been replaced regularly. Since 1970 all my records have been played on a Pioneer PL12D with a Shure N75 ED-T2 cartridge and stylus, tracking at 1.5 grams which I continue to use today – although the stylus has been replaced regularly

Side 1 :  N.S.U. Sleepy time time Dreaming Sweet wine Spoonful
Side 2 : Cat's squirrel Four until late Rollin' and tumblin' I'm so glad Toad 

Summary: these ICONIC, progressive rock masterwork is a lovely piece of genuine memorabilia from a bygone time that changed the world, as well as the way that music is made, and would grace any collection. If you haven’t heard it on vinyl this could be for you. It certainly doesn’t sound 53 years old. Admittedly it is not in Mint condition, although the album overall counts as EXCELLENT which is why I’m starting at a sensible price so a genuine fan or collector can enjoy it without paying rip off prices.

I’m not a dealer of any sort, but am just downsizing and having to clear things out and trying to survive on a poxy pension. Good luck with your bidding and feel free to ask any question.

PRESS CUTTINGS I’m also including two press cuttings from Melody Maker from the same period I found them tucked in behind the album. I think they are all very rare, as I’ve never seen them referred to in books or on the web.

A Word About Payment and Postage

Sorry but I accept Paypal only and it will be posted as soon as payment has cleared, which must be paid within 24hours of the end of the auction. This may seem harsh but I’m fed up with time wasters!

I use 12" Vinyl LP Record Cruciform postal mailers and protect them with an additional layer of bubblewrap. In the UK I use Royal Mail Signed For. If you require some other form of postage/delivery, I’m more than happy providing you meet the extra costs. If you are outside the UK, I will use Ebay’s own service. 

Record Collector grading system used

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and / or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

FAIR: The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents will be torn, stained and / or defaced.

POOR: The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents will be badly damaged or partly missing.

As well as the above grades, Near Mint is often used as well; this is really for a record that appears new but is known to have been played because the label has light spindle marks or because it has come from a previous owner and is assumed to have been played by them. For records which appear to fall between the accepted grades, + and - are also often added to the grading.