THE WHO Tommy UK Track + numbered Book. STUNNING N/M

	£		103
	$		137

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. 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 - on average ONEADAY, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - 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 reader – 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 its 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. What you see is what you get. 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 or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

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Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: THE WHO

Album Title: Tommy.

Track Listing: Overture; It’s a Boy; 1921; Amazing Journey; Sparks; The Hawker; Christmas; Cousin Kevin; The Acid Queen; Underture; Do You Think it’s Alright!; Fiddle About; Pin Ball Wizard; There’s a Doctor; go to the Mirror!; Tommy Can You Hear Me?; Smash the Mirror; Sensation; Miracle Cure; Sally Simpson; I’m Free; Welcome; Tommy’s Holiday Camp; We’re not Gonna Take it!.

Label/Format: Track (Early intense black, classic, very matt finish with a hint of texturing, not really rough, but not smooth either. When viewed closely they appear ever so slightly grainy - later pressings were smooth with a semi-gloss shine - the early character was lost).

Label Condition: I have to be honest, I dont think I have ever seen vintage, early Track labels looking quite this stunning. Beautiful clean examples that show only very light spindle traces and no wear whatsoever around the centre holes. Side 1 (that backs side 4) has one spine trace on each side and Sides 2 and 3, have even less, barely a trace of one on each label. Take into account the age of this album, its huge popularity and potential for abuse on vintage decks - this is simply remarkable. This copy has almost certainly been played no more than 2 to 3 times at most (once by me for grading included). If a much finer copy of this incredible album is seen or gets offered, I sure would like to see it. (Please see label scans for all information needed - all are the same amazing standard, only the limitation of 6 pictures stops me scanning them all).

Cat Number: 613014-4. Set No. 2657-002.

Mono or Stereo: Stereo (not issued in mono).

Country of Manufacture: Gt Britain.

Rarity: Although this album sold strongly, I consider early copies to be pretty scarce and getting rarer all the time; and copies in prime condition - that is a cover Mint(-) - a near mint book WITH the cherished unique number - and a pair of thickly pressed records that look and sound hardly played. A copy looking and sounding this fine is a copy to be cherished.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: 613013 A1 11 10; 613014A1 111 and 613014 B2 122; 613013 B3 420 11 3

Brief Artist & Album Info: To celebrate Ebay’s promotion of Oneadayrecords to Powerseller status, I am delighted to offer one of the greatest albums I have yet offered on the Net. The album that broke The Who’s stigma as a singles band - it peaked at 2 in the UK and 4 in the US. A conceptual masterpiece, a classic rock opera, and a genuine landmark and groundbreaking album of pure brilliance. Few albums similar - before or after - ever came close to matching this incredible work. Throughout, the song quality, sound and musicianship is faultless and it was the start of several releases by The Who that were more rock than power pop. Tommy must rank highly as Townshend’s finest ever work - the man (and band truly inspired). A story of a boy, whose father was thought lost in the war, he becomes blind, deaf and dumb, inflicted after witnessing his mother’s ‘affair’. Experiences with doctors, faith healers and acid queens, abuse from a cousin and pervy uncle (Ernie, played by Keith Moon), then later becoming the king of the pinball machines and gaining a cult following - uncle the miracle cure is found. Then, with all senses working again, becoming the new Messiah until overkill and exploitation finally destroys it all. This amazing journey into Tommy’s life includes some the greatest rock songs ever put to vinyl - some powerful instrumentals too - this album should be included in any serious collection and an early copy like this in such stunning overall condition is mandatory. This album is quite often seen as a later pressing, no book - certainly most found these days have no number - and covers that are literally falling apart - this is a genuinely fragile sleeve - one of the most delicate covers ever due the way it folds and the records are stored inside. What a pleasure it is when found looking like this - not quite perfect, but pretty damn close. The book too, is pure mint, and with the unique number too, its the pure icing on what’s already a very rich cake. The thickly pressed LPs are as clean as you will ever find and play the same. This copy sets the standards that many other copies could be judged by. A copy to be proud of and this album deserves to be heard at its very best. - nothing else will really do - this beautiful album is unlikely to ever be needing of an upgrade.

Cover Grade and Format: Mint(-), I think with is a very fair grading for this ultimately fragile cover, I don’t think I have seen better for 30 years. Its NOT laminated. Its the double flap gatefold with the records being stored via the right hand outer edge and from the right inner centrefold (a bad idea as this virtually always gets torn or split or just plain tatty —not this one!). It was printed and made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd, London and Bedford. Patent pending. The very first were laminated for a while as were the German pressings, I guess these would have had a lower numbered book - very rare finds now these in top condition. This one has no laminate, its still very early and finding the unlaminated version in this condition will prove near impossible. The numbered book is stunning and in near perfect condition. Its super clean, untorn and with a beautifully defined and clear number on the front (please see the close up of the book front). Unstapled and perfectly solid, this has probably hardly ever been out of the sleeve.

Cover Front: A near perfect front: The only minor evidence of any wear even worthy of mention is a very small rub on the top right hand corner. Even the very fragile, single thickness cover flaps are neat with any edgewear to these very light and miniscule - these just never get found like this - most are frayed or creased to pieces. This front is beautifully clean and unrubbed and vitally important too is the total lack of any ringwear - dark unlaminated thin card covers, with 2 thick LPs inside and no ringwear - its almost unheard of. This has almost no wear at all, I can hardly believe this myself. No indentations, barely a crease to be seen and even surface traces are conspicuous by the total absence - I can hardly imagine seeing a Tommy cover looking quite like this again.

Cover Back: This is virtually the same stunning quality as the front with all the same qualities - no ringwear again, not even a trace, and dont forget the back of this album cover is the actual folder for the retaining the records. This back is remarkable the more you think about it.

Cover Gatefold Inner: All three faces are virtually flawless, one tiny crease on the far left bottom corner tip only (it probably got caught up when closing up the cover - its real tiny anyway - but this is so unblemished for flawed, I feel I almost have to mention something, however small). The inner retaining wallet area is perfect, nothing less, no creasing or tearing top or bottom. Both folds are super strong and perfect - this clearly has not been opened and close much over its long life. Heavy records like this destroy many covers like this - going back further still, how many pristine inner gatefolds do you find for the Beatles For Sale for instance - this is the same delicate type of entrance to the storing of one of the LPs. Having the double fold two makes things even more vulnerable to wear or accidents. Well I say it again - this is near perfect!

Top Edge: Close to perfect.

Bottom Edge: Close to perfect - any wear to these frail thin, card thickness edges is minimal and try finding much better for an item this age. No real fraying at all, just traces of thin whites on the very, very edge tips.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear, even the right hand entrance edge for the second LP.

Spine and Text: This spine has or had no text printed on it. Its very solid indeed and has virtually no wear at all on the actual flat spine face. The top fold line, where the crease runs has a few very light rub traces (honestly would any version of this escape 100 percent?), this is as light as it could ever get. A super strong spine that has taken the strain amazingly well over the years.

Corners: All the corners on this remarkable item are superb, the only small exception is the top left, as stated already, it has some tip rubbing that has just about encroached on to the front corner (this minor piece of wear must be the only and worst real wear on this fabulous sleeve - does that tell you just how magnificent this item is?).

Cover Summary: An amazing cover, one that Tommy himself would be proud to own. If this has just been bought from the shop from new, there would be very little to really complain about (apart maybe that tiny corner rub). Put on a scale of 1 to 10 for fragility – this gets a very nervous 9. And marks out of 10 for its overall condition: a very impressive 9.25 - I feel this will be near impossible to find much better and one that will please all collectors, I feel certain

The Book: Close to perfect as stated. A beautiful and essential part of this set. Its unique limited edition number is 56919 - quite high I suppose, but most found or offered these days dont have one at all.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: I rarely used the word ‘Mint’ on any played record, but on this stunning pair I am surely tempted. But I will say probably undergraded at Mint(-)/Mint(-). A superb pair of vintage Tracks that appear to me almost completely unmarked. Super clean with rich shine, jet black and solidly pressed - later Tracks become very thin, these are not. A pair hardly played on all the evidence. Visually stunning records that will please just about all collectors I would think - quite frankly I could hardly imagine finding them better. The 2 records come with their own original lined, British Patented inners (both EX+). Both clean and unsplit, both have a near perfect die cut window with solid and fully intact lining.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Both records play up to their high visual grading with little, if anything to fault. Strong, undistorted sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear. No pops or ticks from memory and a super fine pressing, any surface sounds are minimal indeed and nothing spoiled my sheer delight in playing them both. The two channels are clean and unstressed - these records have been played little and have been well stored and looked after, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Finding Tommy’s like this are close to impossible now, as soon as I saw this copy I knew it was something out of the ordinary. Play grading this was done when tapping out another advert. Sitting directly between the speakers the sound left me aghast. The power and dynamics of the two dominant instrumentals: ‘Underture’ and ‘Overture’ made my jaw drop. I swear the bass made the chair I was sitting on almost move, and the power of the basslines made the walls and window vibrate - this is an awesome recording with stunning detail. As good as the latest CD versions are, even they lack the gut-wrenching power these songs demand. Stereo imagery too is gorgeous, the album simply flows and Daltrey’s (Tommy) vocals are quite breathtaking. This copy can be played loud with full confidence, the lack of any distortion from a near virgin copy will astonish even the most dedicated audiophile connoisseur. Music this uplifting is a joy, and with barely any unwanted sounds, it can be enjoyed too with full confidence. This copy will prove near impossible to find significantly better.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: One of the true rock masterpieces of all time by one of the greatest UK bands of all time. Daltrey, Townshend, Entwhistle and Moon were four of the greatest ever, the loss of the two latter members was tragic. Just listen to that awesome power of the bass and how it flows and Moon’s pulsating drum work, arguably the finest ever. Stunning vocals from Daltrey, and Townhsend of course, this is pure class. If you need a vintage copy in near perfect all round condition, you will not easily find another to match this. I unreservedly recommend it, this is in investment quality condition and that numbered book makes it that little bit more special. Even Who connoisseurs should enjoy this one. I hope the winning bidder enjoys this copy as much as I did - Good Luck – Mike.

Having the Powerseller Logo: This is recognition from Ebay for the highest possible customer services, satisfaction and quality, it should reassure any potential bidder that all items are described, graded and shipped to the highest standards possible. Customer care of the highest order is a standard feature here and I am proud to have achieved this recognised standard of excellence from Ebay with help from collectors and buyers from all over the World - I thank you all.

Payment Details please read carefully - I know its boring but essential:

UK First Class: = £3.00; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £4.50 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £6.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do NOTprofit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more and I often actually lose money on this part of service - I simply refuse to compromise with poor packing. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken OUT of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be worthwhile.

I can accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders OWN risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.