The Who '69 U.K 1st press 2LP Tommy TRACK mint- numbered A1/B1/A1/B1

	£		90
	$		119

Hi Vinyl freaks. In the next few weeks I'll put on auction more than 600 great and collectible records. Most records are true collector's items. Have a look, it is worthwhile! Most of my vinyl comes from my own collection and/or quality collections. Most records are in great, collectible condition. If not, I'll clearly describe the possible flaws or scuffs. Appr. 90% of my records are EX to Mint-. I am continuously selling Essential German Kraut, Dutch psych and garage, UK and US progressive and folk, early electronic and (hard) psychedelic records from the period 1967 to 1975. Moreover, many other essential wave, punk and (minimal) synth records will be on auction. Please take some time and read my instructions carefully. If questions... please feel free to ask. A fantastic vinyl collection is going to be for sale in outstanding condition. Don't miss out this opportunity!!

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Band/Record: The Who - Tommy

Label/Matrix: UK 1969 Track 613 013 with A1 // B1 - A1 // B1  (with book numbering 14128)

Condition Record/Sleeve: Mint- /EX+ (both records immaculate (=unplayed), DREAM audio. Cover clean and unwritten, like new)

Extra Info: Fantastic Album !! Original UK 1st pressing on the TRACK label with 3-fold -out cover.... DREAM CONDITION!!!

TO START WITH IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT THESE UK ORIGINAL FIRST ISSUE EXAMPLES OF ‘TOMMY’ ARE ALREADY EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FIND AND, AS THE DIMINISHING AMOUNT OF HIGHLY COLLECTABLE TOP QUALITY EXAMPLES LIKE THIS ONE FIND THEIR WAY INTO ‘PERMAMENT’ COLLECTIONS, THE RARITY INCREASES CONSIDERABLY.

For ease of reference I have set out below a list of the main features which characterise a ‘TOMMY’ UK FIRST ISSUE & FIRST PRESSING:-

1/. The outer cover is a triptych style gatefold with two single layer panels which hinge out from a double slip cover. The external design is from a pop art painting by Mike McInnerney showing a sphere with diamond shaped cut-outs and seagulls, and the important feature is that on ALL FIRST ISSUE COVERS THE OUTER SURFACES WERE LAMINATED. They are easily recognisable because of the VERY HIGH GLOSS finish which gives them a MUCH BRIGHTER BLUE appearance. This glossy laminate is very distinctive and not easy to confuse with the relatively dull matt blue finish of the later re-issues. The first issue covers were made by Ernest J. Day & Co. Ltd London. W.11., marked ‘Patent pending’, this is credited on the back of the cover bottom left corner following the track list / credits and just above the Track Record logo.

2/. On the back of the outer cover, top left hand corner the first issues have only the Track Catalogue numbers printed, which are 613 013/4, whereas the later issues have the set number, which is 2657 002.

3/. Gloss finish is an important part of identification with the vinyls as well because you will notice that the first pressings have a much more ‘polished’ high gloss finish than the later pressings.

4/. The vinyls are noticeably heavier for the first pressings, weighing in at around 130-150 grammes each, the later pressing typically weigh around 110-125 grammes.

5/. The record labels on first pressings are a deep matt black when viewed head on in daylight and slightly coarse anthracite when viewed in reflected light at an angle, later pressings have a ‘flatter’ and ‘greyer’ finish, even from head on, and even later pressings are almost a dark silvery or titanium colour with an outer ridge.

6/. More easily noticeable on the first issue record labels is the fact that they state ‘DOUBLE ALBUM’ (Record 1 [or 2]) underneath the catalogue number at 9 o’ clock, later pressings and re-issues do not have this (most of the variants have the side 4 backed on to side 1 on Record 1, and side 3 backed on to side 2 on Record 2; so that is not a reliable ‘separation’ characteristic as it is on some albums).

7/. First Pressings have predominantly ‘1’ matrices and ‘1’ mothers with low number stampers in the vinyl run off area of each side. For example see the details of this one below. Later pressings have 2’s’, 3’s, 4’s etc occasionally mixed up with a ‘1’.

8/. In my opinion first pressings, as is the case with most vinyl recordings, deliver noticeably better audio in terms of clarity and ‘reality’; but this of course subjective and a matter for the individual listener.

9/. Last, and by no means least, the illustrated lyrics booklet which accompanied first issue albums has a LIMITED EDITION NUMBER PRINTED IN THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER WHERE INDICATED in this case 14128, a very early numbering. They can usually be spotted and this one is COMPLETELY AUTHENTIC, and in this case the stamper sequence correlates with the limited edition number.

10/. If an album has all of the characteristics listed 1-9 above, WHICH THIS ONE HAS, then it is a GENUINE UK FIRST ISSUE, FIRST OR VERY EARLY PRESSING.

The key features are listed below:

    COMPLETE ORIGINAL UK ALBUM FIRST PRESS AND FIRST ISSUE
    FIRST MATRICES, FIRST MOTHERS AND EARLY STAMPERS CODES
    SUPERB HEAVYWEIGHT VINYLS IN FULL EXCELLENT CONDITION
    STEREO RECORDING FORMAT DELIVERING SENSATIONAL AUDIO
    ORIGINAL TRACK MATT BLACK ‘DOUBLE ALBUM’ TEXT LABELS
    ORIGINAL E.J.D. ‘Patents pending’ LAMINATED ‘TRIPTYCH’ G/FOLD
    ORIGINAL PHOTO & LYRIC BOOK LIMITED EDITION NUMBER 67481
    ORIGINAL ERA SPECIFIC MATCHED PAIR OF POLY-LINED INNERS
    EXTREMELY RARE COLLECTABLE IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION 

Picture overview; please take a look at the pictures:

Payment instruction/Check out: Since i will be listing a lot of records in the next few weeks, i cannot know when you have finished shopping. Let me know when you want an invoice. Please do not pay me without my invoice. I make use of the Ebay invoice system, if you pay before my invoice i may lose track of your payment. Within the EU I prefer (free) IBAN transactions to my bank account. Paypal transactions OK.

Return policy and After sales: I stand for the quality of my vinyl so i will take back records. However, i will only take back if buyer agrees to share the the costs of the return postage. All packages will be sent with registered mail. If a package is delayed please communicate with me first in stead of drop complaints at paypal!

Shipping: All records will be carefully packed by me and I do not charge handling. Shipping will take place with air/priority mail and signed for only. Packages above 2kg will be shipped with TNT Global Express with track & trace code. Please take a look at the shipping rates. Combined shipping is offered. Please take a closer look at my shipping rates. It is OK to wait a few days/weeks with payment in order to obtain efficient shipping. Packages till 2kg and 5kg are relatively cheap also worldwide, so take your advantage !! Please take a closer look at the shipping rates:

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