THE WHO TOMMY ULTIMATE 1ST NO : 56 1ST PROOF STAMP

	£		984
	$		1,304

THE WHO - TOMMY. ORIGINAL 1969 1ST PROOF, 1ST PRESS.

TRACK 613 013 / 4

BOOKLET NUMBER 56!!

On offer here is what can only be described as the most amazing find for any collector. It's THE VERY EARLIEST POSSIBLE pressing of perhaps the most sought after album The Who ever released. I know that any first pressing copy of this album is a highly prized find, and rightly so. But this particular copy is an even rarer find, as it comes complete with a "FIRST PROOF" stamp, and the lowest numbered booklet I have ever seen on offer, ANYWHERE!! The matrix stampers are the lowest numbers possible, as this album comes with a lot of history. I will list the full numbers further down.  As I have been collecting Who record's and memorabilia for over 20 years, and searching for their rarest releases, Occasionally I came into contact with some extremely interesting people. I acquired this stunning album from a gentleman whose Wife worked for Kit Lambert's agency way back in the 60's. She was given this album by Kit, in appreciation of her efforts. That's why it is the VERY EARLIEST PRESSING MADE!! Also, to further prove it's unique history, it comes with the "FIRST PROOF" stamp, which  only the first initial copies received!! I dont know how many of these reached circulation into stores, as I would imagine that The Band and related staff of the producers / managers would have taken some of them, as Kit did with this one. It bears all the attributes of a genuine first pressing, and more besides. Obviously, as any collector knows, the First pressings had a laminated, E.J. Day, tri-fold "patent pending" sleeve, as does this one. Contrary to popular belief though, on a genuine first pressing the inners were mismatched, one  curved and one square edged, and had the patent numbers stamped on them. This one is such an early pressing that it has inners that are so unique,  they bear the correct patent numbers, the "Made In England" stamp and the "Plastic Bags" warning. The most amazing quirk though, is that it's such an early pressing that the font style on the wording "British Patent Number" on the curved inner is an earlier type to later ones! Take a look at the photo's! And bear in mind that I took these photo's with a 12 MP camera, far more critical than the human eye. This pressing is without doubt the EARLIEST pressing ever made, and belongs to a pressing run that pre-dates all others. Have you ever seen a numbered booklet so low ? A copy recently sold on ebay for almost £700, with the booklet number 2657. Worth every penny and more, as it was a lovely copy and a credit to the seller, with an extremely low number, the lowest I have seen on ebay. Until now. This outstanding "first proof" copy is number 56! I can't imagine another copy as low as this ever coming up for sale again. And not only is the booklet such a low numbered print, just take a look at these matrix stampers, unbelievable!!

RECORD 1 SIDE 1 - 613 013    A 1   11  2            RECORD 1 SIDE 4 -     613 013   B 1    1 1  1

RECORD 2 SIDE 2 - 613 014    A 1   11  2            RECORD 2 SIDE 3 -     613 014   B 1    1 1  1

How early are those stampers ?   I'll tell you - They are the earliest possible! You will not find earlier ones, as earlier ones simply do not exist! And it gets better - the vinyl that these are stamped on is in fantastic condition! Shiny, flat and still have that gloss finish. I will give the full gradings further down the listing.The first pressings were made of a much heavier vinyl than later ones,and this is very important when defining a genuine first pressing. The weight of these two records is astounding compared to later ones. Record 1 weights a staggering 159 grammes, and record 2 150 grammes. Much heavier than the later pressings, which were anything from 110 to 140 grammes, typically around the 125 gramme mark. So there is no doubt whatsoever that this is the very earliest pressing possible. I know that lots of you know what to look for in defining a first pressing of this album, but for those of you not too sure, I will list the important points.

The Sleeve. This is a tri-fold sleeve, showing pop artwork by Mike Mcinnerney. The outer is laminated, giving a high gloss finish, and a much brighter blue than later issues, which were a dull matt blue. The first issue covers were made by Ernest. J. Day and Co. Ltd London. W. 11 and marked "patent pending" on the rear of the cover, bottom left, just above the "Track Records" logo. Also on the back cover, first issues had the Track Catalogue numbers (613 013 / 4) printed in the top left. Later ones give the set number (2657 002).

The inner sleeves were mismatched, one being square edged and one being curved. They are the poly lined die cut type which fit snugly around the centre labels of the vinyl. They have British patent pending numbers on the bottom left, and Made in England stamped on the bottom right followed by numbers. They also had the "plastic bags" warning stamped in the bottom centre.

The vinyls were a heavier type than later pressings, and should be a minimum of 140 grammes. They had a much more polished gloss finish than later ones. They had a flat "squared" edge on the outers, not a sharp pointed one, or a high lipped rounded edge. The centre labels were a deep matt black when looked at head on, as opposed to the dark silver looking type on later pressings. Also, very importantly, the first pressing labels were aligned on either side of the record. When you flip the records over, the label should be in the same place. Not at random like later pressings. The labels should clearly show the words "Double Album" above the words ( record 1) and (record 2) respectively, and below the catalogue number 613 003 on record 1, and 613 004 on record 2, on the left hand side. On the right hand side, below the lettering "ST" and "33", it should be blank. Later pressings had the set number printed here (2657 002) The stamper numbers in the dead wax were A /1, B /1 on both records, and should be followed by matrices beginning with 1. Also, as with many double albums from the past,  record 1 should play sides 1 and four, and record 2 sides 2 and 3.

Finally, the booklet. First pressings came with a  Limited Edition Number PRINTED in the bottom right hand corner. Not written, as I have seen quite a few times! It is a quite distinctive font style. Later issues were left blank.

So, if you see a copy of "Tommy" that has all these characteristics, you can be sure it is a genuine first pressing. This one has them all, right down to the EARLIEST stampers, the EARLIEST labels, the HEAVY vinyls, the LAMINATED booklet, the ORIGINAL inner sleeves, and most importantly the fantastic LOW NUMBERED booklet coupled with  the FIRST PROOF stamp on the inside cover to show just how early this pressing is! Now here are the gradings, on which I will be as thorough as possible, as I anticipate a lot of interest in this one, and want to describe it as honestly as possible. I have sold a lot of records, some of a very high value, and intend to sell a lot more, so my feedback is very important to me. Please check my feedback for your peace of mind.

THE SLEEVE.

The Laminated Ernest J. Day sleeve has remained flat and uncreased for 42 years. It has all its laminate intact on the outer, with just a nick of lift on the rear, top right. On the front of the sleeve, there is a tiny bubble effect in the laminate, just above the  "M" on the word Tommy. It's quite possible that it left the factory like this, as it is a "First Proof" copy. Barely noticable, but I did say I would be thorough. There are just a few of the faintest wrinkles in the laminate,along with some small indentations. (imagine running your thumbnail along a piece of paper). Still very clean and glossy both front and back, with only the faintest signs that it has had a disc in its protective vinyl sleeve. The records have been stored outside the sleeve, in the same plastic protector. To try and keep them inside the sleeve usually resulted in disaster, due to the very design of the sleeve. If you hold the rear sleeve under lights, and angle it, you can just make out a pattern on the laminate, that suggests it has had a record pressed against it. It is NOT ringwear, and has NOT pressed through the card sleeve. It is flat to the touch. There is a small "scuff" on the bottom right front, just below where the laminate ends. Again, very small, but has to be mentioned. It has two small corner dings, on the bottom corners, more visible on the back than on the front. Again nothing drastic, but I did say thorough! The top and bottom edges are solid, with the MINIMUM amount of rubbing in tiny spots, as is the spine, which is in itself quite amazing as these spines are notorious for wearing, as they have the "grooved" fold line running down the middle, leaving approximately 1mm of actual protection either side! Opening edge is still flat, only faint spots of rubbing. Very small. Again, I am being highly critical here. The inside of the cover, bearing that lovely "First Proof" stamp, is excellent on all 3 panels. I cant find anything that needs mentioning. The sleeve is in an overall condition that I myself would buy (I Did!) and I am one of the fussier collectors. Excellent. As good as the "My Generation" one I sold a couple of weeks ago, if you happened to see it.

THE RECORDS.

This wont take long! The records are, quite simply, Excellent. I will go through each side one at a time. Record 1 side 1 - clean, shiny, still with it's deep gloss finish. The minimum of surface marks when angled under bright lights only. NO deep scratches.    Record 1 side 4 - Exactly the same, with even less surface marks!       Record 2 side 2 - I can find only one FAINT line anywhere on the surface! And only then when stood under a bright light whilst tilting the record. Judging by the spindle marks on the other sides label, I would say this side has had only one play. It's that good. And as glossy as record 1.      Record 2 side 3  - Again, excellent. Only the minimum surface marks, again only visible when tilted under lights. I am being EXTREMELY critical here, the records are fantastic.

THE LABELS.

The matt black labels are all clean, no rips, stains or any other unwanted blemishes. There are only a few light spindle marks visible on record 1, and only when held under light. Record 2 has even less, with side 3 showing only the smallest, single faint spindle mark. It is clear that these records have not received a lot of plays. This is also evident on the condition of the vinyl.

THE BOOKLET.

The booklet, numbered 56, is excellent. No damage at all. Flat and clean, fully intact. No creases, all edges crisp as is the spine. All the colours inside are still vibrant. Excellent. It even has a faint trace of the stamper ink used to stamp the "First Proof" on the cover if you look closely. That's how early this pressing is! I will say it again. Number 56!!!

THE INNER SLEEVES.

The original inner's are fully intact, showing a small amount of ageing along the top and bottom edges. The poly lined inners have NOT become detached! There is a small nick on the square edged sleeve, around the die cut centre. Very minor. The curved inner has a written letter and number code, very neatly in light pen in the very top left corner. I did consider replacing this inner, but did not want to break up a completely original package. Besides, it could have been written on in the factory, adding a further touch of authencity.

So, there you have it. An extremely rare and collectable first proof, first pressing of the most progressive album made to date. I will listen to sensible offers for this amazing album, but do take into account its rarity and value to all collectors.  If you have any questions, dont hesitate to contact me. I can take more pictures if you require them, and send them to you. Thank you for taking the time to read this listing, and if you decide to make a bid or an offer, the best of luck to you.

I am going to be listing LOTS of Who records, many first pressings and rarities in the near future, so please take a look at my other items.

I accept paypal or cash on collection. payment to be made within 2 days of auction ending. I will post out as soon as payment is received. I pack my items extremely safely, but will arrange insurance if required. Contact me to arrange and for prices. I only charge what it costs. I will post worldwide, same offer stands. Just contact me for a quote before bidding.

Thanks for looking, and best of luck to you. Any questions, dont hesitate to contact me.