CREAM / DISRAELI GEARS, 1967 UK REACTION MONO 1st PRESS

	£		64
	$		85

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 stunning example of the album by CREAM titled “DISRAELI GEARS”, Catalogue Number 593 003. This is an EXTREMELY SCARCE 1967 UK MONO FIRST PRESSING on the REACTION LABEL, with the EARLIEST POSSIBLE MATRIX NUMBERS and MISCREDITED LABELS ON BOTH SIDES!! Only a very small number of the earliest pressings were issued with the miscredited labels, and these first pressings also had several other distinctive features, which differ greatly from all later pressings. These differences are detailed as follows:

* Matrix numbers ending in A1/B1 (later pressings do not have this)

* Double miscredited labels which were almost immediately corrected; On Side 1 – “Windfall Music” corrected to “Immediate Music”, on Side 2 – “Apple Publishing” corrected to “Copyright Control”

* Also on Side 2, the label shows 1967 (on later pressings this was changed to 1966)

*The labels have 2 ridges around the spindle hole (all later pressings have only 1)

* The vinyl is much heavier, with a thick, square-cut rim edge.

The first press, fully laminated E J Day sleeve has all of the following credentials, confirming the EARLIEST POSSIBLE SLEEVE DESIGN;

* Fully laminated E J Day MONO sleeve with “Patent Pending” text on the back cover

* The earliest possible white “reaction” logo on the bottom left of the back cover (later covers had this in black)

* The side 2 track-listing on the back cover is printed in white text

* The text “MONO 593 003” is printed in thick black text on the top left corner of the back cover (later sleeves had a white box instead on the top right corner)

The matrix numbers and stampers are:

SIDE 1 – 593003   A v 1      1   1       1    1

SIDE B – 593003   B v 1       1     1       1

The single fully laminated E J Day sleeve is in EXCELLENT CONDITION. The front and back covers are virtually unmarked with just a few very light laminate creases. The vivid psychedelic colours are still bright and vibrant. The top and bottom edges show barely any signs of wear (just one small scuff on the bottom edge. The spine corners show only very light rubbing. The opening corners show a little bit more rubbing and are very slightly rounded (there is a tiny 5mm split on the bottom opening corner). The spine is near perfect with all text clearly legible. There are no rips, stickers or writing. Overall a superb example of the first press fully laminated sleeve!!

The very solidly pressed vinyl has a thick square-cut rim edge characteristic of Reaction first pressings. Both sides retain a beautiful deep lustre. There are just light surface marks evident, which are of no audio significance. The BLUE REACTION LABELS show a few light spindle traces, but are otherwise unmarked.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

Both sides play SUPERBLY with ALL FREQUENCIES CRYSTAL CLEAR and a minimum of unwanted noise. This is a particularly raw and vibrant mono recording, which has a wonderful period sound. A thoroughly enjoyable listening experience delivered from these MONO FIRST PRESS GROOVES!!

Complete with the original white poly-lined inner sleeve which is in very good condition, with some creasing, age discoloration and small splits at the opening corners.

A TRULY EXCEPTIONAL PACKAGE - DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!

International postage costs: Europe £5.00, Worldwide £7.50

International buyers: payment by PayPal or cash (in UK £) 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.