Cream Wheels of Fire VERY 1st UK Press A1/B1 MONO

	£		72
	$		95

The Cream

Wheels of Fire

Thick cut, heavyweight vinyl! Superb aural delivery! THE very first UK pressing of this awesome release . MONO recording! Beautifully maintained gatefold sleeve!! Original 1968 vintage classic !

Complete with original plain white inner sleeves with plastic bag warning text! Reissued several times owing to its popularity during 70s on Polydor/RSO labels but only in the stereo format ,so these mono records are very early pressings and are very difficult to locate.

Extremely scarce double vinyl album release .

Polydor red label format

Made In England 1968 original MONO release

Cat. Nos. 582031 & 582032

There is no set number on the genuine first UK presses like this one and only the later issues have a published set number.

So excited about this vintage 2 record vintage classic as this album release is impossible to find, especially in this remarkable condition .

Vinyls

Record 1      582031  Av1

                     582031  Bv1  

Record 2      582032  Av1  

                     582032  Bv1  

V represents the inverted triangle which are always found on these first pressed vinyls .

Two vinyl set . Highly polished, glass like surfaces . Thick cut, heavyweight pressings  .  Much deeper and wider grooves than the later pressings and provide a fine example of the highest standards of  craftsmanship and British engineering.  Signs of play  from all four sides. If angled, may detect some fairly inconsequential ,wispy hairlines, light scuff,the odd surface mark and one or two scratches on either side .  The jet black of the vinyls looks stunning against the deep scarlet of the labels.  A great collectors’ album set .

Labels

Red Polydor  format confirming one of the earliest first issue releases of this awesome rock classic. No damage to report from these magnificent examples. Only a light spindle trace visible as records appear to be lightly played.  Unfaded, vibrant scarlet coloration with some mottling , no rips nor tears.  Excellent-  examples of these hard to find , mono labels and are magnificent specimens.

Inner sleeves

Standard white, British, plastic bag warning text sleeves with anti static polyliners still in tact and holding tight . Excellent condition with light creasing only .Two minor nicks on one opening edge . Some age spotting .

Gatefold sleeve

E J Day printed, first issue sleeve. Extremely fragile foil manufacture . Unlaminated opening gatefold sleeve , notorious for surface damage and massive wear and tear. This sleeve is unbelievable showing only minor rubbing on front/reverse faces. There appears to be a vertical silver line down front face but not sure why but does blend in with general presentation and is not obtrusive to the voyeur.Light corner scuffs only. The spine is so fragile on these covers but this spine feels smooth ,solid and square, clearly showing title.! Runs in perfect parallel with no creasing  .  Surfaces still maintain a shiny, metallic finish. Light ring wear on front/reverse faces only . Some light creasing otherwise no damage to report. No rips, tears nor any other  major faults noticeable. VG++/Excellent- condition.

E J Day gatefold opens to a gorgeous centrefold of psychedelic artwork, displaying a rich coloration of strong pinks, reds,  golden yellows, blues, and  greens . The energy and movement from this artistry is mesmeric . Internal spinal column lies in perfect symmetry and acts as a fine balance between the two inner faces. An excellent example of one of the most famous centrefolds  ever produced.

Audio

At least very good and considerably better for the majority of play . Truly sensational .

The deeper grooves of these heavyweight giants produce the most powerful, loud cut performance that only these first UK presses can give!  In comparison to the sister stereo recordings, the mono big brother is overpowering, shadowing its stereo counterpart in a massive way.

Collectors favour the mono version and I can understand why after listening to this audio. Grooves are much wider and deeper conveying a fantastic depth of sound and tones are delivered with a sharp definition and a razor sharp edge.

With Clapton on guitar and vocals, Bruce on bass and harmonica and Ginger baker on drums and percussion, what a sensational sound! There are a few scratches on the vinyls , most of which generate a few ticks which do little to affect music. Side 1 , track 4 has a more audible scratch ,which is heard for approx. 10 revolutions during fade out/end of song.

One of the most highly desirable records in the collectors’ world ,as this is a 100% genuine,  UK MONO pressing, of the most influential rock albums of all time. An extremely rare exhibit,  and proving very difficult to locate in this superb condition.

Shipping

UK-£4.50

Europe-£6.50

USA/Japan-£10.50

High value items must be sent International Signed For and insurance is advisable.