The Web : Theraphosa Blondi 1A / 1A 1st Mono Press on Deram Label

This rare first mono pressing on the light brown Deram label is truly outstanding!  Even a high quality vinyl pressed today does not sound this good and that is no exaggeration!  This is a FINAL UPGRADE version as the clarity and definition of the audio could not be any more impressive.  I have played both sides in full and there is no interference at all.  For a mono record from 1969 the playback is just exceptional!  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Audio such as this is so rarely found today.  The vinyl is also visually in perfect condition.

This is also one of the very first of the 'printing press'.  Using Decca's BUCKINGHAM matrix system it has a B stamper on S1 and a C stamper on S2.  To be honest this C may even be a B it is not that easy to tell.  Regardless of that B is obviously the first stamper and C the third so you cannot get much earlier than that!

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with no marking and only a little creasing on the front cover.  As can be seen it has the mono/stereo indicator hole on the back cover.  The original red mono inner is in superb condition, practically 'as new'.  A superb 'package' overall.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and these are shown below.  Please could you wait before making payment so I can calculate the exact cost.

DML-R 1058 // ARL-9233.P-1A / ARL-9234.P-1A / B1 & C1 Stampers

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The cover is Ex

The labels are Mint-

The original Mono inner is Near Mint

I have played S1 in full and all I can say is WOW!  Although I am sure I can elaborate a little!  'Like The Man Said' quite simply plays 'as new' with no 'background' at all.  The clarity and definition of the audio is exceptional and rarely have I heard a 50 year old mono record play with such distinction.  I cannot praise it highly enough - the stylus just runs over the grooves with such ease and obviously there is no groove wear of any kind.  The vinyl is so clean and that is reflected in the playback.  When I say there is no 'background' I mean exactly that.  The audio is just sensational!  There are perhaps only a handful of barely audible dust ticks but quite honestly this plays far better than all so called high quality vinyls pressed today!  I am more than confident in grading this as Mint the audio could not play with any greater precision.

The cover of the Cream classic 'Sunshine Of Your Love' also plays to the same 'high end' standard from the first note to the last.  With a prog jazzy feel the audio is outstanding and Mint is an honest appraisal of the sound quality.

'Till I Come Home Again Once More' is another sublime cover and again plays beautifully with not so much as a dust tick.  Rarely for a mono record there is no inner groove distortion and 'once more' I cannot believe the clarity on offer here.  A stunning Mint version to close S1.

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From the very first groove 'Bewala' plays to the same standard as S1.  This percussive number is 'as new' from start to finish and again I just cannot believe the sonic quality on offer here.  Even the long fade out has no 'background'.  Mint in every way.

The quiet intro on '1,000 Miles Away' plays beautifully with no static etc and only a handful of barely audible dust ticks.  Most sellers would not even mention this as to be honest this intro still grades as Mint it is that good.  As the tempo and volume increases there is no decrease in quality.  I heard a small number of mega faint ticks but in no way does this classify as interference and I am sure I only heard them due to my close proximity to the speakers! Again the clarity and definition of the audio is STUNNING and there is no 'background' to be heard.  I will however grade as Mint- just to be cautious.

The next two tracks both play to the same standard.  'Blues For Two T's' has no interference whatsoever and 'Kilimanjaro' is perhaps even more impressive as it is such a quiet number.  There is just no 'background'!  You'd expect some light static at the very least but there is literally no intrusion.  Mint again in the truest sense of the word.

'Tobacco Road' / 'America' end the album in superb style with, you guessed it, no interference.  There is no need to say anymore - this is just pure Mint audio in all its glory...again.  What an album!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic plays to a standard that I think would be nigh on impossible to replicate.  I do not want to repeat myself but the audio definition and clarity could not be any greater and it has to be asked how many records from 1969 play like this today?  There is no interference of any kind on either side and the warmth and depth of the audio is FANTASTIC!  I cannot overstate enough just how unbelievable the audio is and to say the previous owner looked after this vinyl is an understatement!   A beautifully preserved record in every way.

  This vinyl is 100% visually stunning in every way!  For a 50 year old record to be this 'clean' and perfect is such a rarity and it goes without saying that there are no marks or scratches.  All I can detect are a small number of barely visible hairlines but to all intents and purposes this is visually Mint I can pay it no higher compliment.  With barely any spindle wear and the immaculate quality of the audio this is a record that has only had a handful of 'spins' over the years.  A fantastic example of this rare pressing!

The Cover

The laminated cover is in excellent condition with only minimal shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine have no wear and only the bottom left corner has a little rubbing.  The other three corners are very clean indeed and the opening edge has only a little handling wear.  The front cover is exceptionally clean with no marking but there is some creasing running down the right side.  The good news is this can only be seen when you hold the cover at a certain angle so is not immediately obvious.  There is no laminate damage as such.  The back cover with the 'indicator hole' is in superb order with no marking and only a minimal amount of the usual ringwear and a couple of minor creases.  A fine example overall.

The Labels

The original light brown Deram labels are in superb condition with very little spindle wear and no marking or writing.  Stunning!

The Inner Sleeve

The original red Mono poly-lined inner sleeve has been so well preserved with no side splits or marking and very little creasing.

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

DML-R 1058 // ARL-9233.P-1A / ARL-9234.P-1A / B1 & C1 Stampers

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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!