JIMI HENDRIX Band of Gipsies RARER ORIG UK 1970 PUPPET COVER – SUPERB EXAMPLE.

	£		300
	$		398

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Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers will now be blocked at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: JIMI HENDRIX

Album Title: Band of Gipsies.

Producer(s): ‘Heaven Research’ (Jimi Hendrix).

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Who Knows; Machine Gun; Changes.

Side 2: Power of Soul; Message to Love; We Gotta Live Together.

Label/Format: Track – intense matt black finish. Interesting the two different spellings of Gipsies that vary on label to cover.

Label Conditions: By any standards, these are both exceptional Track labels in the most fantastic of conditions. Incredibly clean, fresh and attractive and very black indeed. Just a couple or three small and light spindle marks on each, it is incredibly rare to find a first issue copy of this record that has been so obviously hardly played. Both labels and playing surfaces are little short of immaculate for a 1970-pressed record with sound to match. I have had several copies of this one over time, but few that have matched this record and cover, and even the 1970 date-coded June inner sleeve. One that could prove a massive upgrade for Hendrix collectors worldwide, this one really does have that rare X-Factor.

Cat Number: 2406 002.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 130 grams. A very good weight for this original first issue.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Quite Rare: with the withdrawn ‘Puppet’ cover. This was not available for very long and when reissued, the cover was changed entirely making this one of the most sort-after Hendrix albums ever made. The famous ‘Puppet’ cover is a much prized, cherished and collectable item from the legend that was Jimi Hendrix. A fragile one as well, those that do surface are often in very poor, even badly damaged condition. Incredibly prone to price sticker pulls and severe damage from their removal. Seldom seen without heavy ring wear and rubbing, also creasing due to the very thin card. This one has little to fault and for pure looks, it will take a near remarkable one to better it. Along with a hardly played first pressed record inside, this is a copy to please most collectors.

Original Year of Release: 1970

Matrix Nos: 2406002 A 1 1 2 1 / 2406002 B = 1 1 2 1

Musicians: Jimi Hendrix – electric guitar, vocals; Billy Cox – bass guitar; Buddy Miles – drums, vocals.

Brief Info: Can any album cover actually ever be more important than the record? Well it can be argued this one has a case. The artwork is simply fantastic and here looking magnificent. The fact it was somewhat hastily withdrawn adds to it’s mystery and for a long time now, this has been a most prized piece of early 1970s artwork.

Issued when Hendrix was still alive after he disbanded the ‘Experience’, this was the last album under his control and was a live set recorded at the Fillmore East, New York in 1970. The songs were all new. A great performance even if the sound is a little muted and a legendary album famed for it’s original cover. Needless to say, this has some stunning virtuoso guitar breaks and includes the impressive ‘Machine Gun’. But it can be argued it does not hit the dizzy heights of the three previous albums which I think is fair enough to say. The original sleeve known as the ‘Puppet’ cover, it features dolls of Hendrix, Brian Jones, Bob Dylan and DJ John Peel. It was withdrawn relatively quickly and replaced with totally different artwork, it has become one of the most sort-after covers in rock history and is hard to find in even respectable condition. Obviously the album that came with this sleeve were the true originals. Note the error on the back cover, the Hendrix doll is playing right handed – was this the reason it was withdrawn? I can truly state, this is one of the VERY best to date I have yet owned – a super cover as I hope my pictures, including those crucial close-ups reitterate. The record looks and plays beautifully with two hardly marked labels for a disc that appears hardly played or indeed run-in in vinyl terms. This a very challenging album as well with some very quiet passages. But even these plays with barely anything unwanted. Both elements of this set are high quality and should delight most Hendrix fans and collectors. It even includes the June 1970 date-coded inner sleeve for good measure, also seen in close-up.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): and really this is worthy of the extra (+), I am being somewhat critical with most of any wear on the usual unforgiving storage bottom edge that has only fairly light surface rubbing. This is a single, matt finished unlaminated cover and made with thin card. Printed and made in England by MacNeill Press in London. Includes the original 1/0670 (June 1970) date-code as seen in close-up.

Cover Front: Without doubt one of the most famous covers in the history of rock, one seldom seen or offered because of it’s very quick withdrawl from sale in the UK. This front is simply MAGNIFICENT, yes barely any traces of wear or ageing at all, that I know from experience is a very tough ask and find. This so often ruined by sticker tears and pulls, the surface is totally unforgiving of them. Also the card is incredibly thin meaning creasing is often rife as well as ink erosion and fading. They hardly get better than this, it retains deep rich and even vibrant colour and freshness. No stale mildew smells so many vintage covers often acquire with poor storage, this simply oozes class and pure good looks. Not even a trace of rim impression or ringwear with any of the tiny few surface creases being ultra fine and faint. Also hardly any press marks, even viewed under angled light. Just look at those dolls in close-up, pictured this close, any blemishes would clearly show – but none to be seen. This is simply fantastic and ultra rare to find as such.

Cover Back: Very similar again with just the odd small and light corner and edge crease, again these only mild and with minimal distraction to the jaw-dropping artwork of the Hendrix doll. The lack of ring wear is a bonus and the right-handed Hendrix doll graphic is unlikely to be seen much better.

Top & Bottom Edges: The top edge is very straight with minimal traces of any wear. The bottom storage edge is also straight with light to near moderate patchy rubbing that few will ever escape. Glad to state this has NOT spread on to the main front and back surface and is only really seen viewed end-on.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, mostly very sharp with any thickening or burring very little and very light as seen viewed end-on. Record enters on this edge that is guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: Always vulnerable due to being thin. Solid, straight with any compression modestly light – the ends tapered in manufacture. The fragile text is mainly all present but some clipping to the latter catalogue digits and tiny traces to the title. So not perfect, but when some are seen threadbare with no text as all, it puts this this still splendid spine in true perspective.

Corners: Light tip rubs but no dinks, very fine to excellent shape retained. All very commendable for an unforgiving thin card cover.

Cover Summary: A much prized item, elusive and very collectable, and justifiably so. This a real looker with few clues (bar the bottom edge) to it’s considerable vintage, this now fast approaching 45-years-old. With the really important areas in such fine – both front and back outstanding – conditions, this will prove immensely difficult to find better. Indeed, as already stated, this could prove a major upgrade for many and should please many, if not most collectors (unless pristine mint is mandatory – and good luck with that).

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: the Polydor-style inner is in very fine shape, and has the date-code of 1/0670 (June 1970). A little corner crinkle to one, but no hard large creases. Both window circles are crisp and very neat indeed and the polylining very clear. No edge splits or repairs and any discolouration light.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: MINT(–): even this is being HIGHLY critical. The owner said he played it once, and I would not argue against this for a second. I am truly struggling to find a surface trace blemish worthy of mention, this is a STUNNING first issue Track record – an ultimate upgrade copy that is unlikely to be matched or beaten soon. A truly exceptional early pressed visual copy that is ultra clean with lovely freshness and shine and very solidly pressed. Two beautiful intense black labels and age-defying playing surfaces that sound as fine as they look. Finding the early Hendrix classics so obviously unplayed is a major achievement and find, if anyone has a better copy than this, I sure would like to see and hear it.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This rare first pressed record plays even above it’s visual grading with practically nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is as good as it gets, but not the most outstanding in terms of dynamic range but a more typical live album production for this period. Barely any traces of surface sound and no hidden pressing issues or nasties. This a supremely clean pressing for a fairly difficult album that does have some very quiet passages. Few available copies will even get close I feel sure. An album that often attracts scratches, especially on the very quiet areas, but being hardly even handled, let alone played, this has avoided any. Both channels are clean and sharp, with no degrading of the sound. A copy that truly comes as close to reminding of new as they are likely to ever get some 44+ years on. This too played on a very sensitive system including my usual LP12 and Naim amp. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this hugely impressive record. This a copy for the connoisseur Hendrix fan and collector, this record will prove near impossible to find better and merits my highest possible recommendation.

End Piece: I am always delighted to be able to offer this rare original album with the Puppet cover. With artwork of major historic significance and when they show up in such fine condition they are not to be dismissed lightly. I have seen this in the past being offered in London in very tatty conditions, but still for huge prices – and I guess they sell? All proving just how rare any example is in better grading conditions. Just look at my pictures, they do not lie, the close-ups prove just how clean this one really is, the overall lack of real wear is unusual. With a record probably now played just twice after my mandatory full sound-check, this is an outstanding piece. One for sure I will not forget in a hurry.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. 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 as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - 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 collector – 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 it’s 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. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. 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, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Blue moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.