BOB DYLAN / BLONDE ON BLONDE, 1966 UK MONO *1st PRESS*

	£		46
	$		61

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

Here for auction is a superb example of the double album by BOB DYLAN titled “BLONDE ON BLONDE”, Catalogue Number BPG 66012. This is an *ORIGINAL 1966 UK MONO FIRST PRESSING* on the CBS RECORD LABEL, with rough textured labels showing ”B Feldman” credits, and 33 (rather than 33⅓ as on all later pressings). The sleeve is a fully laminated gatefold with internal flipbacks, and 9 photographs on the inside – including the one of Claudia Cardinale (which only the earliest sleeves had, as it was soon removed due to legal problems). Complete with the correct CBS advertising inner sleeves!

The Matrix Numbers are:

Record 1 Side 1 – DDP 66012  A1

                Side 2 – DDP 66012  B1

Record 2 Side 1 – DDP 66012  C1

                Side 2 – DDP 66012  D1

The fully laminated *1st issue* gatefold sleeve is in VERY GOOD+ CONDITION (strictly graded). This is the EARLIEST POSSIBLE 1st ISSUE SLEEVE which has 4 internal flipbacks and 9 photographs on the inside, including the one of Claudia Cardinale. The front cover is in excellent unmarked condition, with just a few light laminate creases, mostly near the edges. The back cover also has a few light laminate creases (a more noticeable one across the bottom spine corner), plus a small area of surface scuffing just below Dylan’s breast pocket. The opening gatefold spread is unmarked apart from a few light creases and some minor age discoloration. The top and bottom edges show barely any signs of wear. The opening edges show just a little feathering. There is just light rubbing to the corners. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible. There are no rips, stickers or writing. Overall a lovely example of this 1st issue sleeve!!

The *1st Press*records are very solidly pressed and retain a beautiful deep mirror-like shine. They both sit flat and true on the turntable. Visually, there are just very light surface marks caused from taking the records in and out of the inner sleeves, in addition to a few light stylus marks. None of the marks have a significant effect upon play (deep 1st press mono grooves). I would grade Sides 1, 2 and 3 visually as VG(+), and Side 4 as EX. The BEAUTIFUL ROUGH TEXTURED ORANGE CBS LABELS show only a few very light spindle traces each side (none evident on Record 2 Side 2). The labels carry the earliest “B Feldman” credits and 33 is printed (rather than 33⅓ as on all later pressings). There is barely any wear around either of the spindle holes. Both labels have a white sticker, with a name and date inscription (10-9-1966), and the initials HPW written on Side 1, and a neat signature on Side 2. I am confident that the records have not been played very many times.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

These CBS mono first pressings are very special indeed! Both records play to a very high standard with great clarity and vibrancy. They are also very loud cut. The stereo versions cannot hold a candle to the sheer punch and delivery of the mono 1st presses. There are no pops or loud clicks, and only a minimum of unwanted noise which is never intrusive. Several of the tracks have quiet acoustic passages which are easily ruined by excessive surface sound. Not on this copy - all play beautifully. A better playing *1st Press* example may be very difficult to find!!

Complete with the original orange and white CBS advertising inner sleeves. One is slightly faded, and the other has a repair to one split side seam (neatly done from the inside).

OVERALL A SUPERB COMPLETE FIRST PRESS EXAMPLE OF DYLAN’S MASTERPIECE – DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY!

International postage costs: Europe £6.50, Worldwide £10.50

International buyers: payment by PayPal only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.