Miles Davis Kind of Blue 1959 Mono First Pressing w/Inner 6 Eye CL 1355 VG/VG+

$

50

This is a first pressing of the mono version of the Miles Davis classic Kind of Blue. Unlike the original stereo master tapes, the original mono master tapes have been lost, so first mono pressings are as close as one can get to the source in 2017. To dispel some common myths about pressings of this album:
1. The misspelling of Cannonball Adderley's name on the cover is not indicative of an early pressing. This mistake was not corrected through the 1970s pressings of this album.  2. Same goes with the misprint of the tracklist on the record sleeve.  3. The fact that the -1J stampers on this copy are "matched" on both sides is meaningless. It is not more valuable to have matched stampers (or unmatched stampers). 3. This first mono pressing can be identified by the absence of "CBS" printed in black below Columbia at the top of the label, and by specific letter on the stamper. Despite what you may read in other listings, -1A is not the first pressing, followed by -1B, -1C, etc. In fact, the earliest known pressings of this record have -1G  or -1H on side 1 and -1D on side 2. What is certain is that the matched -1J stamper records are part of the first pressing. How do you know? 4. The very earliest pressings of this record have a misprint on the side 2 LABEL. From August 17th 1959 through approximately November 1959, the record listed Flamenco Sketches as track 1 on the side 2 LABEL. This error in printing of the label is found on copies of the record with -1J stampers, indicating that those stampers were used in the very earliest copies. In November of 1959, Columbia printed a new batch of labels but continued to use the same stampers. This record has the correct track listing on the side 2 label, indicating that while it is a first pressing, it is not among the very first copies pressed in the first 3 months of the album's release.
ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC COPY THAT IS FOR SALE:
This record is a first pressing of the Miles Davis classic Kind of Blue, and it has -1J stampers on both sides 1 and 2 (see above for more information about the pressings and stampers). The record is in VG condition on side 1 and VG+ condition on side 2. It includes the original inner sleeve.
I have done my best to photograph the record and sleeve from several angles to give you a sense of its cosmetic condition and will attempt to describe the main issues below. Since ebay limits the listing to 12 photos, I have posted more photos in a gallery here:
Closeups of record surface, cover creases, and inner sleeve
Sound-wise, here are links to the complete recording of the record for sale.
Side 1 audio recording Side 2 audio recording
Please let the audio be your guide to the actual condition of the record. 
This is a very listenable and enjoyable copy of Kind of Blue. The side 1 VG/side 2 VG+ grading is based on the cosmetic appearance of the record. See above for a complete recording of both sides, so you can decide for yourself whether the record sounds like a VG or a VG+. Cosmetically, the disc surface of side 1 is VG. Side 1 is generally VG+, with the exception of a large scratch that is shown in the 9th picture on this listing. Tracks 2 and 3 play with some surface noise, so I would consider side 1 to be in VG condition, according to the Goldmine Standards. There are other lighter surface marks that are characteristic of removing and replacing the record from the inner sleeve. There is also a small deeper type of scratch that is shown in the 11th picture. Again, please listen the complete audio of the record posted above, because these defects look much worse than they play.  Both of the labels are in good shape, including around the deep groove and the spindle hole. Side 2 of the record is in much better cosmetic condition. There are sleeve marks here and there, but nothing large or feelable. Side 2 is cosmetically a VG+. The surface noise is less present on side 2 and it plays well, though there are a few pops on Flamenco sketches (starting at 12:30 on the side 2 recording). 
The front of the sleeve has wear from rubbing against adjacent records. The corners have been dented a bit, as you can see in the photos in the gallery linked in the description.There are also a few creases on the front cover from rough handling of the opening to remove or replace the record. The bottom of the sleeve has a 3" split in the center. The top edge is worn but not split, and the spine is intact although worn on the top, as shown. The reverse of the sleeve is in reasonably good shape with some discoloration due to ringwear. 
This record also includes the original paper inner sleeve. As you can see in the image gallery linked in the description, the faces of the inner sleeve look good. All three sides of the inner sleeve have seam splits, and there is a small notch torn out of the top of the sleeve. 
The record will be shipped in an LP shipper with an outer sleeve and a MoFi inner sleeve.
Please ask any questions you may have about the record.
Sorry -  no international buyers.