THE WHO Tommy RARE ULTIMATE UK 1st PRESS ORIG 1969 COMPLETE. GORGEOUS LAMINATED.

	£		324
	$		429

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers will now be blocked at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE WHO

Album Title: Tommy.

Producer(s): Kit Lambert.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Overture; It’s a Boy; 1921; Amazing Journey; Sparks; Eyesight for the Blind.

Side 2: Christmas; Cousin Kevin; The Acid Quee; Underture.

Side 3: Do You Think It’s Alright?; Fiddle About; Pinball Wizard; There’s a Doctor; Go to the Mirror!; Tommy Can You Hear Me?; Smash the Mirror; Sensation.

Side 4: Miracle Cure; Sally Simpson; I’m Free; Welcome; Tommy’s Holiday Camp; We’re Not Gonna Take It.

Label, Format, Pressing Info: Track – intense matt black labels with gentle textured surfaces. This copy is the genuine first 1969 pressing which vary from even the slightly ones. The criteria for labels must have ‘DOUBLE ALBUM’ at the 9 o’clock position. Also there must be NO catalogue number under the ST 33 at the 3 o’clock position. The matrixes must be A//1 & B//1 on each record. Obviously, this has the laminated cover and a numbered booklet. But the labels are the main factor as subsequent repressings can always be put inside original covers and sold as ‘first pressings’. This is a real deal, not only that, this copy is a beauty with all the detail and top quality sound you would expect from such an early example that appears very little played.

Label Conditions: All four clean, fresh and attractive. Spindle marks are only light and very light in number, most are fine and gentle as well. Being such an intense black colour, they will always show a little more than on most other labels, but here, very modest indeed. This impressive original pair of records appear only lightly used, reitterated by lovely clean sound.

Cat Number: 613013/014.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of these Records: 140 / 140 grams. Impressively heavy and far more so than subsequent pressings.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Genuine, complete first issues are scarce. In this type of condition they can be deemed quite rare. The cover, although laminated, is fragile with single thickness card which results in splits, heavy creasing and laminate issues. The entrances areas – one from the inside against very thin card – means major damage and severe splits are common. To find one with hardly any of the aforementioned is extremely difficult. Comprise that with two lightly played records, two November 1969 date-coded inner sleeves and the numbered booklet, means this is a rare album. These are seldom found like this, I am not saying perfect, but this is very impressive indeed, and compared to most I have personally seen in the past, this can almost be considered exceptional.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos – NOTE – Side One backs Side Four: 613013 A//1 1 1 1 3 & 613013 B//1 1 3 8 & 613014 A//1 1 1 2 1 & 613013 B//1 1 1 2 0

Musicians: Roger Daltrey – lead vocals, harmonica, tambourine; Pete Townshend – guitars, banjo, keyboards, lead vocals; John Entwistle – bass guitar, French horn, lead vocals on ‘Cousin Kevin’ and ‘Fiddle About’, backing vocals; Keith Moon – drums, percussion, backing vocals.

Brief Info: All interested music fans and collectors will know all about this album, suffice to state it’s one of the greatest rock albums ever made. An early concept album about the deaf, dumb and blind boy and his rise to superstardon after being miraculously cured. It never fails to amaze me how four young artists could write, issue and perform an album of this calibre in such a short time. Originally a beat group and then so quickly developing into virtuoso rock musicians and writing a complex and groundbreaking concept album of the highest quality imaginable. This album has more than stood the test of time and was soon made into a Ken Russell movie. Equally hard to believe this was written and issued way back in 1969. This one exactly from that year, and just holding the genuine real article give pleasure. Especially so when viewing that fantastic cover with the outer parts laminated. The difference to the colour of the artwork is immense, it makes the slightly later non-laminates look pale and dull in comparison. This one on offer is also highly impressive with little to fault at all. Sure, a little light rubbing on the storage edges of the very delicate cover, but realistically, how many can ever hope to avoid that as a bare minimum? This apart, it does not have a great deal else to fault. All elements are equally impressive and the sound is fantastic with very little unwanted visually or audibly. Such copies do not surface often, these true classics, i most cases are seen trashed with torn, dulled and creased covers, and record swathed in deep scratches and grimy fingermarks. The labels resumbling spider’s webs in spindle marks and gouges. Even the November 1969 inner sleeves here are superb and unsplit. The booklet fully intact and attractive, the merest traces of tone spotting on the white outside covers, little else. So there are very gentle hints of age, but personally, I think it adds the required character to a 46-year-old piece – we are talking minimal anyway. Full details on gradings further down as usual – this is a copy most Who fans would be delighted to own.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and I really think an extra (+) can strongly be argued for as well. This is one of classic rock’s most delicate and wear-prone covers. A double gatefold format (opens to triple size at 3 feet long). This being the very first made in England by Ernest J. Day. These are highly prized by collectors as only these have the laminated front, back and first face folded inside. So to be clear: when this is fully opened, one side is fully laminated (3 faces), the other side is matt and unprotected. Storage of the records is perilous, one enters on the right hand side, the other via the inside, but both records are stored in the back area with just a near paper thin divider sheet. That is where most of the perils lie in access for removal and entry. Edges split and become very weakened unless utmost care is given, thus few survive intact. This example also retains the rare little sticker on the back denoting the albums Set Number of 2657 002 – I doubt too many still include that these days. A fully complete copy with the two Polydor-style inner sleeves and the 12 page numbered booklet. Later booklets have no number.

Cover Front, Back and Inside Front: These are the three laminated faces. This really is one of the finest examples of this very delicate original cover I have ever seen. The all three faces are gorgeous, just compare this laminated version to the somewhat dull in comparison later matt version. All the detail and colour really stands out, and especially so on this one as there are hardly any laminate issues. Against all odds, these retain superb, excellent shine, freshness and clarity with minimal traces of any dulling, creasing or marks, even when viewed under angled light. Lifting and peeling is a major factor on this one as well, glad to say there is no peeling and any lifting is tiny, little and very light indeed. Just traces on the spine edge only that hardly even show. With a thin working spine, laminate adhesion is a problem area, but this has simply brushed it aside. In terms of adhesion as well, this is hugely impressive, the lack of major bubbling and machine creasing are major pluses. So nothing spoils the graphics on all three faces. All the ‘open’ edges – those without folds – have the fine exposed non-laminated strips, these are all neat with barely any rubbing and no grime. Very slight hints of burring almost impossible to avoid on single thickness card. Even those perilous spine hinges are almost as made without chipping or laminate loss, that near impossible to find nowadays. The spine itself still erect and unflatttened, I consider that remarkable. That rare little set number sticker on the back has naturally gone a little transparent, but to even still find it these days is another plus-point for the more serious collector, even if it has mildly aged. Arguably the most striking factor on the back is the lack of rim dulling or impression. Even under light, there are barely any traces. I am sure the owner had the very good sense not to store the record inside this cover, the different to the laminate is more than evidence on immediate view. It almost certainly explains why this cover has not suffered the usual splits, creases and tears most acquire as well. Three highly impressive, deeply coloured laminated faces that set the bare very high.

Cover – the unlaminated inside faces: All three again are exceptional. Clean, fresh and barely marked or creased. Minute edge burr traces being ultra critical and that perilous entrace area on the right fully intact and undamaged. As a note: personally I would NOT stored the records inside this cover, leave them outside the cover within the protective sleeve I provide with all my records, then the dangers of splits and damage are eliminated. Insertion and removal of the records carries significant risk. This cover has survived since 1969 without any, why risk damage now?

Top Edges: A little thickening and burring is difficult to avoid on thin single thickness card. The fact this one has so little in respect of most I have seen, is because this one has been beautifully and accurately folded. Thus the faces are all near flush. Those less so with edges proud of each other, tend to bend and buckle more. So I consider any minor wear to these fragile edge to be only light to very light. Overall, these are still neat with most of any thickening only really seen viewed end-on.

Bottom Edges: The front two single thickness sheets are crisp and very neat indeed, any thickening on these is minimal and light. These are more naturally protected by the rear folded edge that holds the two weighty records. That being the storage of choice for most, so some rubbing on the quite soft card is near impossible to avoid totally. This light to moderate very patchy rubbing, these mostly near the ends and NO splits or enhancements. Given the facts again, any wear on this edge can be considered quite light.

Right Edge(s), and Type: The front edge has a real end which is a fold and is fully laminated with no wear at all. Totally superb, smooth and also ultra straight with no bowing. That largely the same on all the edges, all lie flat and flush. Below this edge is the fragile outside opening storage area for one of the records. Both are excellent with hardly any wear again. Crisp, neat and guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced, not even any thumb creasing to the laminate on this area – again, the records not being stored inside being the factor. Beautifully flush and parallel to the above, again that the case for all others too.

Spine and Text: A very fragile and under-strength spine that has to take a fair degree of strain to support this cover. So I consider this one to be near remarkable, against all odds, this is still erect and uncrushed with hardly any hint of compression. The odd gentle surface crack hint detected by the fingertip, but most is still smooth and unscuffed with no flaking. No text printed on this one and the graphic is still fully intact without chips or dinks. Even the ends are neat and still crisp with barely even a hint of corner creasing. Another significant area of this cover intact and very strong indeed. So many buckle and distort over time, losing that lovely shape they once had – well I hope my picture shows otherwise here.

Corners: Just a very small tip rub on the bottom right – even this is being critical. These lead in corners to rack storage always take knocks and few will get close to these. All others are VERY impressive being unusually neat and retain excellent shape with minuscule wear and no knocks. Given the uncompromising build of this famous but delicate cover, all are in great shape that most could only dream of.

Cover Summary: It takes a special collector and utmost care (and being honest, some luck) to preserve this unforgiving cover to this high degree. As stated, this is not ‘pristine’ or ‘perfect’, but is of such a quality, it can be deemed exceptional. One to hold and admire knowing you have the geniune first issue item in front of you. So say the laminate makes a big different would be something of an understatement. Almost chalk and cheese compared to the common matt version. It’s no one’s fault for owners of the matt version, as the laminated one was only available for a relatively brief time. With sales and cost being a factor, it was quicker and cheaper to drop that lovely protection. That is why in most cases, original is always best. A super example that should please many, if not most collectors. For those only wanting perfection – good luck trying to find one.

The Inner Sleeves: EXCELLENT(+): both in super condition in terms of real wear, only marked down a little for natural discolouration which is only relatively mild in context, the seam adhesive rarely escapes especially. These do have different shades of blue ink, one being darked than the other. One is batch 50, the other batch 51. Importantly, they are matching pair that apart with the crucial /119 date-codes. That is November 1969, within just a few weeks of issue. These are the standard Polydor-style polylined inners, both have perfect undamaged crisp window circles, very clear linings and all edges unsplit with no repairs and any creasing light and minor. Again their very fine condition due to the records being stored inside alternative lined inners. With hindsight, that also a wise move as it eliminated the risk of inner bag rash which these inners often leave on records left undisturbed for long periods.

The Booklet: EXCELLENT(+): this has the limited edition number text WITH number which is ‘44468’. A 12-page full colour graphic libretto for this groundbreaking rock opera, this has little to fault. All pages solidly attached together, clean, fresh with hardly any creasing, the odd gentle crinkle trace maybe and all edges crisp and sharp. As stated above, there is very gentle traces of toning mainly on the white areas of the back outer cover, any on the front really tiny and faint. Minimal handling traces to revealing surfaces either. So the merest hint of age, but again, this rarer numbered original will not prove easy to find much better.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT / EXCELLENT(+): a very fine visual pair that are very clean with excellent shine and quite heavily pressed having nigh-on identical weights (on my non-digital scales). A few surface marks seen under light on record one – one very small mark on side four shows more, but has no sound. Record two even better with little to be seen. There are no penetrating stylus scratches and all four sides offer impressively clean sound. Two thicker, deeper groove originals, more able to withstand the odd minor mark or blemish. Any 1969 pair will not prove easy to find better and many collectors will be happy with these.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Both records play even above their high visual grading with very little to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is truly astonishing and a masterwork of production with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Moon’s drums at times are thunderous and have real clout, a real high fidelity recording that still sounds little aged. Any surface sounds minimal and faint and no pressing or tracking issues*. This is an exceptional clean pressing for a fairly difficult album that does have some quieter passages. Few first issue copies will outperform this quality Track pair I feel sure. I am certain both records have been played only modestly and have been generally well stored and handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading these impressive records that carry utmost detail. Not for the visual perfectionist, but for audio quality, they set the bar very high. This set will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.