Cream – Wheels of Fire – Earliest Mono 1st Press – VG+
£
65
$
87
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Description
For sale is the earliest press of Cream, Wheels on Fire purchased by myself from London in 1968
on the morning of release! It includes the E.J Day sleeve and textured tinfoil cover. It is one of the first
few mono copies, which was quickly changed to stereo. In fact the tinfoil textured E.J Day sleeve was
replaced by a MATT one even during the very brief mono album run, so this is the rarest and most
sought after issue available.
Matrixes
Record 1 – Polydor 582031A/B
Record 2 – Polydor 582032C/D
The M33 logo is present and there is very substantial weight to each record.
Condition
The vinyl plays essentially as new and has a fresh new look to it. There are a few light and small
hairlines marks on each record side which don’t affect play. Also the inner labels are all basically
mint, except side 2 of record one suffering an almost invisibly tiny black mark showing through the
red centre, though the spindle whole is fully intact. It’s just the sticker. Based on this assessment
I have graded the vinyl as Very Good+
There’s a little slight creasing of the record sleeves and also slight discolouration, but still very
intact, original and good in the flesh. All print is clear and unfaded.
The outer gatefold cover is sensational, given that this is one of the covers which was most prone
to wear from this era. It tended to tarnish badly, but the outside of the cover still shows solid blacks
and consistent silver, with only mild rubbing and tarnishing in a couple of small isolated areas. Even
the spine only has extremely light fraying, with ‘Cream – Wheels of Fire – Polydor 582 031/2’ being
very clear and readable. There are two areas at the top of the front of the outer cover, measuring
about a quarter of an inch square and about 1 inch by ½ inch where the silver has come off to show
the white. However, it doesn’t affect either the logo or main pattern. Also it doesn’t even nearly make
a hole in the cover. Despite this, the cover is a solid Very Good Rating and must be seen to be appreciated.
They are hard to find in this condition given the lack of robustness of these very earliest outer covers.
Inside the cover there’s psychedelic imagery which is mint.
Delivery
Buyers in the UK can receive this album by next day special delivery fully insured at a below cost £4.95.
Postage worldwide is by Airsure with full insurance at £18.95. You can also choose to collect/inspect and
pay in person.
Please note : This album has recently been valued at between £200 and £300 by friends of my brother
who are record dealers. He himself is a record enthusiast. Also recently this version of the first mono
press has sold on bay for £370 and £490 respectively. Somebody will get a bargain.
- Thanks for looking
price rating
