Jethro Tull - This Was Mono MINT with orange eye label

	£		125
	$		166

This Was - Jethro Tull in the very rare Mono format and plays Mint!

This copy has sat on my shelves un-played, but not unloved, for the best part of 40 years and I guess it’s time to let it go to someone who will appreciate it and play it more often.

I bought this when it was first released and it has been stored upright and the vinyl has always been kept clean. It has been recently “vacuumed” on my Moth Record Cleaning machine using L’Art du Son” cleaning fluid, which has no alcohol in it, to restore it to its original lustre, since when it has been housed in a Nagaoka anti-static inner sleeve (they really do work), although the original inner sleeve is included here as well. This LP has never been loaned out or taken to any party so I know its entire history and it has always been played on quality equipment.

The sleeve has very little evidence of wear and is physically sound with no tears or writing on it. . The unusual wide spine is still flat. The corners are all intact and the opening is still sharp. There is a slight lifting of the laminate in the bottom right hand corner, about a 1cm oval although this is not split. All this can be verified from the photographs.

Inner Ex

This comes supplied with the original white plain paper inner sleeve. This is very slightly age discoloured but is intact and flat.

Labels Nr M

There labels are in superb condition with no tears or writing and barely any signs of spindle marks.

Vinyl (visual) Excellent+

Matrix Numbers (these are the same as on the label and are printed. There is no hand written text or numbers)

Side A:            ILP 985 A

Side B:            ILP 985 B

The record has two non-sounding hairlines (more likely caused on removal from the paper inner) on Side 1 and none on Side 2. It looks in superb condition and still has an almost new shiny lustre to it.

Vinyl (sound quality) As near Mint as you could wish

The good news is that it plays very near Mint on Side 1 and on Side Two. I bought this LP when it was first released. There is no distortion to the sound and virtually no surface noise except traces here and there which is normal for all vinyl, even new pressings. The quality of sound reproduction is amazing, especially, for example, in the drum solo in "Dharma For One", where each individual drum clearly has its own tone and the cymbals ring out with clarity and sound "real". Similarly "Some Day The Sun Won't Shine For You", which has only vocals, harmonica and lightly strummed electric guitar and the sound is very "real" - as if the musicians were right there in front of you. Recordings of this quality are what the combination of vinyl and hi-fi are made for!

I have played this on my latest set-up which is Project Perspective deck, Ortofon Kontrapunkt B cartridge through Musical Fidelity XLPS2 twin mono block phono stage into a WAD Pre–11 valve pre amp coupled to a Musical Fidelity A3.2cr power amp and finally Ruark Prelude ‘speakers and it sounds dynamic and clear.

It is worth bearing in mind that other systems may not reveal the same level of hi-fi sound, especially with respect to surface noise.

The LP has been visually and play graded as accurately as possible using the Record Collector's grading system (see below) with an added + where the condition is somewhere between two grades.

MINT: The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items such as lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records listed as un-played should be mint.

EXCELLENT: The record shows some signs of having played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have some slight wear and/or creasing.

VERY GOOD: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items is acceptable.

GOOD: The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discoloration etc.

Postage & Packaging information

UK. £3.95

EU/Russia £5.00

U.S.A/Canada £6.50

Rest Of World, / Hong Kong / Japan £7.50.

The postage quoted is for Royal Mail 1st Class & Royal Mail Airmail registered /international signed-for post. If you require any other method of posting or insurance please ask.

I always keep proof of posting & will assist you if you need to make a claim for loss or damage with Royal Mail. Please ensure that you provide me with your correct address.

This LP will be posted in a thick purpose-made cardboard mailer with cardboard inserts for extra protection and the sleeve and LP will be separated to avoid any potential damage to either.

Keep a look-out as I will soon be posting more superb condition LPs from Led Zeppelin, King Crimson, East Of Eden, The Who and a few more, all from my own collection and all bought at the time of release and extremely well-looked after.