THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO RARE 1st Mono Press BANANA & LAWSUIT Stickers LP

$

500

OFFERS ARE EXPECTED
The Velvet Underground & Nico MGM Verve V-5008 Mono
Matrix Numbers/Runouts:
Side 1: etched V5008 Side 1 MG558 REV (Block shaped S) 15 
Side 2: etched V5008 Side 2 MC559 (Block shaped S) 11 
EARLIEST 1st Mono East Coast Pressing Disc- Block Shaped S 
EARLIEST TORSO Cover with RARE LAWSUIT STICKER 
ENTIRE INTACT Banana Sticker Reattached
EARLIEST Label Misprint- 2:01 instead of 2:10 time for I’ll Be Your Mirror 
Disc: VG+
Sleeve: VG+
Labels: EX+
Many More Details below...
WOW!! If you are looking, you probably know what this is. These are incredibly rare in any format...but this is the rarer, highly sought after GORGEOUS MONO MIX which differs greatly from the more common Stereo mix. 
Due to its high value and rarity I will be much more thorough in my description than usual so you know EXACTLY what you are getting and there will be absolutely no need for surprise. I am very sad and hesitant to part with this album. However, I will entertain offers and accept the right one. 
Unquestionably one of the most influential rock albums of all time and most underrated in its own time. This sold very poorly and as a result it is extremely rare to find any original first pressing, let alone one that hasn’t been played to death. 
Even rarer is the presence of the ORIGINAL Banana sticker still intact on the front cover! The sticker appears to have been removed partially perhaps fully and carefully reattached. There are some bubbles/wave lines from when it was peeled. (See photos)
Also, very rare and intact is the Emerson “Lawsuit Sticker” on the back! These were often peeled off by someone wanting to see the hidden torso beneath. This was included after a lawsuit by Emerson whose face and torso was included on the original, earliest first pressing sleeves without his consent. Quickly this was airbrushed out as new sleeves were printed but the company did not want to just throw away money by trashing the remaining sleeves and did much the same thing as The Beatles “Butcher Cover” and applied a large black VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO covering the offending part. This to me is a far more historically interesting version to own and is even rarer as the lawsuit stickers were often peeled off like the banana on the front. A very peelable album indeed!
Disc: Visual: VG+           Audio: VG+
Due to its rarity and value, I will include my best attempt at an audio grade as well, but keep in mind it is suggestive and not something I normally do. 
Overall, a nice clean disc! At first glance one does not see the scattering of light surface scratches visible under angled bright lighting. There are a few more visible ones on Side 1 but nothing feelable or major. 
I had this record professionally cleaned not long ago and just listened. To me, it sounds FANTASTIC. The rarer, highly sought after MONO Mix is, to me, the best way to hear the album with its punchy, unique sound!!
I cranked it up extremely loud on my Technics SL-D303 with Sony floor speakers and JBL 2500 bookshelves. Personally, it gives me the chills to hear such an historic, first Mono pressing. There is light crackling that is present in nearly any vintage vinyl but absolutely nothing loud or distracting to my ears. 
Certainly NO skips or jumps!! 
The light crackles and occasional pops are most present on quieter songs and passages obviously but again, to me do not distract from the enjoyability of listening to this incredible, historic mono mix. Waiting For My Man being a louder track sounds pretty much unblemished. Run, Run, Run has 3 pops at the start but they quickly disappear. There are 2 pops in the silence between There She Goes and I’ll Be Your Mirror. Overall, a wonderful player and the best way to experience this landmark debut!! 
Sleeve: VG+
This is a wonderful 1st pressing Torso sleeve which has the rare Emerson lawsuit sticker placed over the offending torso after a lawsuit mentioned above. There are some spots and marks but overall it is very sturdy and crisp! Obviously the presence of the entire banana sticker makes this much more desirable. As stated earlier, the banana skin sticker is ORIGINAL. It appears to have been either partially or fully removed and carefully replaced. I say this due to its positioning (though I have seen others exactly like this) and the presence of a tear at the stem of the banana and some light bubbling. The pink banana underneath is slightly visible at the bottom. 
Most commonly the stickers were either peeled completely or partially and never replaced. The seams are crisp and the only splitting is about 2” on the INSIDE center of the gatefold- visible in pictures- no seam splitting on the top or bottom. 
The inside is remarkably clean and there is no writing or names anywhere. A small brown spot is visible. The rear is also very clean with some wear showing on the black lawsuit sticker mainly. 
Labels: EX+
Absolutely gorgeous, iconic “3 prong” Verve labels show no flaws apart from a few light spindle traces. Earliest Mono labels with the 2:01 instead of 2:10 timing error on I’ll Be Your Mirror. Side 1 and Side 2 instead of later Side A and Side B. 
All in all, this is an amazing album which provides not only an iconic piece of Andy Warhol art but also an incredible sounding, massively influential audio experience. Brian Eno once said that not very many people originally bought this album but everyone who did started a band. The Velvet Underground may have invented “indie rock” and this is the album that started it all!! Serious offers only please...here’s your chance to own this piece of history for yourself. Go ahead. Pry it from my hands...

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PLEASE READ IMPORTANT INFO AT BOTTOM BEFORE BUYING

I am selling off much of my collection of UK Beatles and Pink Floyd 1sts/Early/Rarities do check out my other listings and follow as many more are to follow! Will be happy to combine shipping on multiple items. 

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IMPORTANT INFO:

I strive for 100% customer satisfaction so I have carefully inspected and graded this item. Please see photos and read the description carefully. You will receive the item exactly as described and are certain to be satisfied. In the unlikely event of a problem, contact me first and I will do everything I can to fix it! 

Shipping: I am a vinyl collector myself so I completely understand the importance of good packaging and will ship this very carefully and securely. The disc will be put into a generic inner sleeve and placed behind the outer sleeve and protected by thick cardboard. 

FREE SHIPPING IN THE USA via USPS Priority Mail

International shipping:

If you live in another country and are interested, contact me and I will consider shipping it to you depending on your location. I only ship internationally using USPS Priority Mail with Registered Tracking for which the cost is typically around $36 US. 

Don’t hesitate to ask any questions you might have and thank you for looking!

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Grading System:

SS (Still Sealed)

Unopened records, still in original shrink wrap. In original manufactured condition unless otherwise noted (i.e. evidence of mildew or bent corners, etc.)

M (Mint)

The record and sleeve are in perfect, original condition. The record may have been played but will have no evidence of deterioration. (I will only use this grade on SEALED records that appear to be Mint as I believe any non-new, opened record cannot be truly called MINT. 

NM (Near Mint)

A nearly perfect record. Any visible defects are of the type that "disappear" when the record is tilted under a strong light and they should not affect play. Sleeves in near mint condition will have no obvious signs of wear. Practically imperceptible ring wear may be allowed but no creases, seam-splits, or other easily detected flaws will be present.

EX (Excellent)

A very clean record. Near mint except for slight, superficial signs of wear. Sleeves in this condition may have marginal defects, but will not have significant creases or splits.

VG+ (Very Good Plus)

A well-cared-for record that is noticeably less than perfect, but defects are not visually or audibly distracting. Record surfaces may have slight scuffs or light scratches, but are still primarily clean. Sleeves may have some creases or minor ring wear, but should not be split.

VG (Very Good)

A used, reasonable copy to play. Many of the defects found in a VG+ copy will be more pronounced in VG condition. Surface noise may be evident and sleeves may look worn, but the record is still a decent copy.

G (Good)

A well-worn record that is still playable. Good does not necessarily mean "bad" but a record in this condition will have audible distractions and may have visible groove wear. Sleeves may have all manner of defects, but are still intact.

FA (Fair) and P (Poor)

These grades are for beat-up records. I will only sell records in these grades if they are extremely rare and sought-after.