THE WHO LIVE AT LEEDS 1st UK BLACK n MINT all12 inserts

	£		56
	$		74

Artist: THE WHO

Title: LIVE AT LEEDS

Year: 1970 Track 2406001

LP – Stereo – UK 1st Pressing

Matrix

2406001 A1 1 1 1

2406001 B1 1 1 1

Live At Leeds was a hugely popular and enormously successful album that has sold in vast quantities since first release in February 1970, consequently there are many variants and they are often seen for sale. In these circumstances to have one which qualifies as EXTREMELY RARE requires explanation; I will explain why this example justifies that description. There is some irony about the concept in that the cover is by Peter Blake, something of a departure from the intricacies of his better known work on Sgt. Peppers, and although basic - to beat the bootleggers at their own game - the inclusion of 12 inserts means that it is complicated to easily recognise a genuine first issue.

THE VINYL: The vinyl is in excellent to near mint condition with A 1111 and B1111 matrix. The DEFINITIVE indicator of ONE OF THE EARLIEST FIRST PRESSINGS. The UK TRACK and US DECCA first issues were released almost simultaneously on 16 May 1970; other variants have later release dates. All UK FIRST PRESSINGS have the catalogue number 2406 001 followed by A//1 & B//1 MATRICES on the respective sides followed by low number stamper codes. THIS COPY HAS 1 1 1 1 STAMPERS AND IS ONE OF THE VERY EARLY COPIES!

THE LABEL: White TRACK with blue facsimile handwriting, and only a limited number of records were released with this BLUE colored variation on title. This variation was issued before the more common red format so one for the avid collector.

The writing was said to be Pete Townshend’s, with the notorious additional note ‘CRACKLING NOISES O.K. DO NOT CORRECT!’ - used by many an unscrupulous seller to excuse a rubbish vinyl - don’t be misled by this, it is in fact remarkably ‘clean’ as far as ‘Live Recordings’ go. Townshend apparently added the note because Entwistle’s bass cable was playing up during the live performances, most evident on ‘Shakin’ All Over’, so there’s some electric crackle which he did not want edited out because that would interfere with the original audio - he certainly wasn’t referring to scratches or vinyl damage. Anecdotally this album was originally planned to be the best of two Live performances at Hull and Leeds, but Entwistle’s bass didn’t record at all at Hull so they could only use the Leeds recordings.

THE SLEEVE: ULTRA RARE BLACK printing both in the front and inner sleeve. BLACK is the rarest and most scarce colour of the 1st pressings and rarely comes to auction

The buff card used for the ‘butterfly’ style opening cover with inner pockets was thicker on the first issues and had a slightly coarse finish - later ones were noticeably thinner and smoother. The inner pockets on the first ones were deeper.

The sleeve is EXCELLENT condition. The front virtually unmarked and retaining the original staple with minor feathering in the top and no tears only the numbers 42/6. The back is unmarked. The spine is in excellent condition with minor feathering.

THE INSERTS: All UK first pressings contained 12 which were as follows: - Poster (near MINT) / Group photograph (EXCELLENT) / Isle of Wight photo print (EXCELLENT with minor creases) / Premier Talent Woodstock Booking in YELLOW thin paper (near MINT) / Marquee Club Box Office summary (near MINT) / King’s Agency Locarno ballroom Swindon cancellation letter (Near MINT) / EMI Records Ltd indecision letter (Near MINT) / My Generation typed lyrics (near Mint)/ New Action bookings form (Near MINT – folded) / The High Numbers payments slip in Yellow paper (EXCELLENT – folded)/ Notice Before Proceedings (Near MINT) / Brocks Delivery Note (Near MINT).

In my opinion the KEY FEATURES of the inserts which indicate a FIRST ISSUE are paper colour, size and thickness. The inserts to concentrate on here are the Premier Talent Woodstock booking which is on flimsy yellow copy paper with first issues and the High Numbers payment slip which again is on flimsy copy style paper. Later issues had both of these on thicker white standard cartridge paper (please see my photographs which show the originals with this album).

Opinion: Often referred to as the best ‘LIVE’ rock album ever recorded, and there are few who would disagree. This is one of the best examples of one of the finest albums ever made; superb, brilliant to listen to and a rare and wonderful addition to any collection.

Other: If you miss this one you may be trying for a very long time and still not find one as outstanding as this is an exceptional example.

Guide to grades used

Mint                       Cover - Looks new - no marks, wear or damage

Disc - Looks unplayed - no marks visible

Near Mint               Cover - Looks virtually new with signs of handling- Minor wear creases but no marks or damage. Light sleeves may show slight discoloration due to age.

Disc - May have minor scuffs &/or hairline scratches caused by moving record in & out of paper sleeve

Excellent                 Cover - Slight signs of wear on edges/spine, corners or ring wear. No damage caused by sticker removal/residue.

Disc- May have a few superficial marks &/or hairline scratches and paper scuffs.

Very good               Cover - Moderate edge/spine or ring wear. Corners may be a little blunt. Opening edge may show feathering caused by removal of record. Visible creases or laminate lift. Localised sticker removal damage.

Disc - Surface marks &/or hairline scratches. Moderate paper scuffs.

Good                       Cover - Heavy ring or edge/spine wear. Corners noticeable bashed. Heavy creases. Considerable laminate/surface damage.

Disc - Looks very well played. A lot of surface marks/scratches

I am not a dealer but an amateur collector selling duplicated items or records that I no longer want to keep (mostly due to space). Unless indicated in the listing the records have been only visually inspected.

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