ALLMAN BROTHERS Fillmore Rarest Plum LP Ever?

	£		225
	$		298

Hi, I am Mike, I am 46 and have been a music collector and enthusiast for over 33 years now. We all wish we could turn back the clock and buy those wonderful brand new records from the 60s and 70s, but alas, this is not possible; so I always try to offer the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. No vinyl/music lover really would choose to buy second-hand, but this is only way now to own these valuable, prized and ellusive items now. 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 - on average ONEADAY, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirity, not just bits to guess a grade (on a Rega 3 deck with Ortofon cartridge) - 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 reader – 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 its 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. What you see is what you get. 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 or sticks or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance. Item wants are always welcome - email me with anything needed, you never know - I may just have a copy in stock. I by quality single items and collections also (Email me please if you have quality items for sale).

Debutant Bidders: Many sellers refuse first time buyers: I do not follow this practice (everybody has to start somewhere), but I would appreciate any first timer letting me know their intentions of their intended payment method and very prompt communication, preferably before any bid or soon after the auctions ends. This gives confidence that their intentions are honourable, and I in return guarantee extra special good feedbacks to get zero rated Ebayers off to a flying start to help them with future transactions. NOTE: I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FROM UNREGISTERED USERS, I will cancel them immediately, and sorry, I cannot give valuations on people’s personal items just for their own curiosity, no item can be accurately valued blindly.

Please read all the information carefully - these adverts take an age to compile properly - so it’s well worth a few minutes of your time to read the details thoroughly. I really cannot take any responsibility if any bidder fails to read any facts that are clearly stated in the advert - Thankyou.

Artist or Band: THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND

Album Title: The Allman Brothers Band at Fillmore East

Cat Number: 2402036 Stereo Double album set. (Set Number 2659-005) (Not issued in mono)

Label and Condition: Atlantic red and maroon (Plum) labels. Four of the cleanest and mint looking examples of this famous original label I have yet seen. Only very light spindle traces that almost prove this set has hardly ever been played. Wear around he centre hole is non-existent and both fit tightly on the spindle. A magnificent quartet quite possibly the best I have ever seen. (Please check out the label scans, all four are the same. Have you honestly ever seen Plum labels better?)

Country of Manufacture: Gt Britain

Rarity Factor: Quite possibly the rarest UK plum rock album there is. One of the very final albums pressed on plum and almost certainly in very small numbers (compared to many) and a non-charting album too, so how many of these actually exist is quite debatable. The RC Price Guide does not even list it, are they they stating it does not exist? Well several collectors I have spoken too have never seen it before and seemed sceptical too - well its here, and it even has the UK cover too. I have had this only once before on Plum and it came with the US cover with the UK Atlantic sticker. Just to prove how late this limited Plum run is, this UK cover has the Atlantic Kinney sticker on the back with the K60011 number, but the record of course has the Plum codes. Put this into true context of rarity, Led Zeppelin albums on UK Plum are common in comparison, they were available far longer and sold in large numbers. This was pressed on the fringe of the label design format change in 1971 and it never charted in the UK but sold quite well in the US. This may explain why the other copy I had some time ago had the US cover - it was manufactured in greater numbers and exported here to save costs on an album that was never likely to sell big here. A UK Plum copy with a genuine UK cover has to be ever rarer still. And also take into consideration this has to be arguably one of the very best live albums of all time, if not THE best. This ‘lost’ classic is more loved and desirable than ever before. And one final thing about this copies desirability - its almost like brand new! If anyone has seen or owns a copy of this gem in better condition I sure would like to see it.

Original Year of Release: 1971

Matrix Nos: A1/B1; A1/A3

Album Information: Without doubt one of the finest live documents of the rock era. This supreme double set captures one of the tightest bands ever featuring their original line-up before Duane Allman and Berry Oakley were cruelly lost. Beautiful melodic lengthy workouts with dual guitars and drummers and of course featuring Duane’s superb blues vocals. Fillmore did not chart in the UK but sold well in the US peaking at 13. UK copies are never easily found as originals and this copy on offer is on the collectable Plum Atlantic. A cover never laminated and black will usually be found heavily worn - this one is not, its quite magnificent in fact with little wear at all - you will be pushed to find this set in better shape than this - a copy that is in ‘investment’ condition - one for the connoisseur.

Cover Condition and Details: Mint(-), a justified grading for a cover rarely found looking anything like unworn. Gatefold. K60011 sticker on back, but importantly the spine has ‘Atlantic super double 2659 005 (K00011)’, which proves again this is transition period of this record company as it features the final Plum code and the new Kinney number. This sticker has clearly never been removed or tampered with, its unpicked and very firmly stuck down, this is just as it as purchased. This cover sleeve was printed and made by MacNeill Press Ltd., London SE1. Its unlaminated and prone to wear but this is as good as they get and apart from a couple of minor marks or traces of corner wear (one on edge), this could almost pass for new.

Cover Front: Close to perfect with deep rich b/w finish and no rubbing or ringwear - very unusual for a double set this age. A tiny, faint sticker residue mark and one small, light crease near the top if being super critical. This is superb and you will be unlikely to ever find an original UK cover front for this album better.

Cover Back: Similar to front, if viewed really close up under angled light there is a faint trace of pressmarks where someone has used this for leaning. But be very clear this is almost impossible to see and can only be seen under the closest and most super critical scrutiny. This back over is magnificent and again not even a hint of any ringwear.

Cover Gatefold Inner: Pristine perfection.

Top Edge: Virtually wear-free.

Bottom Edge: Same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, sharp with little wear. Records entered on right edges.

Spine and Text: Solid and square with little wear, and that important text is near perfect and unworn.

Corners: All four show a little minor wear, mostly on the very tips. All still nicely shaped. You will never find them much better.

Cover Summary: A stunning item, rare and beautiful. This prized UK original will never be found looking much better than this (if you can even find one).

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Only the fact this set has been played around three times (once by me for grading) stops me putting a Mint visual grading for this set. So lets say Mint(-), but all four sides look brand new. Clean, shiny and unmarked. Both records come in their original lined inners which again are near mint, unsplit and clean, even ruffling is minimal. Both records are solidly pressed and look magnificent. These are almost like a pair of ‘Crown Jewels’ in Atlantic record terms, quite likely the best pair of ‘Plums’ I have ever seen.

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This super set plays up to its high visual grading with little to fault. Strong, undistorted sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear. Few if any pops or ticks from memory and finely pressing, any surface sounds are minimal indeed. This guitar driven album is stunning, a phenominal recording, well produced too, not all early 70s live albums were; but this is a true exception. Both channels are clean and clear, all frequencies sharp which is vitally important for those loud electric guitars. I know this set has been played little and has been well stored and looked after, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Little, if anything spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this gem. This copy will prove near impossible to find better.

Mono vs Stereo, an overview: Always a matter of opinion which is better or more important. For any serious collector where there is a choice e.g. Beatles, Stones, Hendrix etc. both are essential. True Stereo albums give great imagery and presence whereas mono albums usually are more dynamic, louder and present the detail more clearly. Mono albums are far harder to find in genuinely top playing condition. Most were heavily played, particularly the truly great bands and artists, often covered in mark and scratches, many severe and labels that were a mass of spindle marks. The majority were played on vintage and unsubtle decks with heavy tonearms and thick styli (often sapphire, not diamond, that chipped more easily) that rendered heavy wear in a very short time to many a fine classic record. Wear to the delicate groove walls, particularly the innermost tracks to the labels were most vulnerable where the tracking angle became more severe and the backdrag actually stripped the delicate groove walls. This resulted in surface noise and mild/moderate distortion or worse. These old decks tracked by sheer weight and little of any refined engineering. Next time you see such a deck at a local record fayre, feel the weight of the arm, it almost makes you wonder how any records survived at all. The point of this paragraph is emphasise that when a truly clean, lightly played and great sounding 60s mono album (or stereo come to that) is offered, treasure it, because for sure they are truly getting vary rare and precious - beware - demand only play-graded records. As a general guide to rarity, mono was the far more common format from 61–65; Around 66–67 the balance was roughly equal, then from 68-69 the balance swung more to stereo, making monos from these dates far scarcer, even rare - this guide is important and effects values greatly.

Track Listing:Statesboro blues; Done somebody wrong; Stormy Monday; You dont love me; Hot Lanta; In memory of Elizabeth Reed; Whipping Post

Album Played For Grading: Yes.

Final Summary: One of the definitive live albums ever: with perfect performances from this fine American band. Always highly regarded by critics and always featuring highly in any ‘Best Albums of all Time Lists’ and justifiably so. Side fours ‘Whippin Post’, clocking in at 22.40 has to be one of the most awesome tracks ever put to vinyl, its a mega tour de force and remains one of rock’s most inspired and definitive improvised performances, but there is not a second of filler material on this album. This band made two classics: this stunning live double and the equally classic Eat a Peach, another double set, which I am also offering on Ebay too. Two of the finest albums ever from their ilk. If you need this pair of doubles, dont even think about losing them. The chances of me (or anyone else for that matter) finding Fillmore as a UK original in this condition are probably around 1000-1 – Mike.

Payment Details please read carefully:

UK First Class: = £2.50; Recorded Delivery (Recommended) = £4.00 Special Delivery (Next day, insured up to £250), the best service available = £6.00

Europe Air Mail: = £4 Insured: £8.00

Overseas, non-Europe e.g. USA, Japan, Australia etc. Airmail:= £7; Insured with recorded delivery (where available) = £11.00

Singles: (Packed to the high standards of the LPs)

UK First class: = £2.00 Insured: £4

Europe Air Mail = £3.00 Insured: £5.50

Overseas, non-Europe (as above) Airmail £3.50 Insured: £6.00

Doubles add extra £1, triples add extra £2. Box sets add extra £3 (£4 overseas and Europe)

Any item that sells for over £85 will be sent Special Delivery in the UK at no extra cost. Items over £125 get the same service Overseas. This is gives peace of mind for the winning bidder and myself for valuable items. Reduced postage of course for multiple items.

The winner bidder chooses his/her posting method and if uninsured is chosen, its their decision and they have to stick with it, I can accept no responsibility if an item is lost in the post. I can only try to claim at standard levels if no enhancement is chosen (£28). PLEASE NOTE: I will NOT use surface mail, its too slow, with a higher risk of loss and damage.

Mailing Details: Please note I do not profit on postage (my packing standards are high and the package weighs a little more. All records are sent in plastic covers with the record taken out of the sleeve and sent in professional mailers with FOUR professional stiffners for extra protection (if space allows), I do NOT use old cardboard boxes or cereal packets for protection. More expensive items are also inserted into a de-luxe heavy duty padded bag AS WELL to give that extra protection. I truly want ALL my items to arrive to their destination in the same condition they leave me. I will also include in most cases a brand new lined inner, but will include the original inner if available and in a condition to be given.

I accept cash for payments worldwide in UK Pounds Sterling, Euros or US Dollars - but this at the senders own risk. Please send registered and insured if this method is chosen. I cannot accept responsibility if any cash payments do not turn up. This system is very reliable and rarely goes astray. The same goes for any shipped uninsured item, I can only try to claim for any undelivered or damaged article at basic insurance levels if no enhanced insurance is requested and paid for (unless the value threshold is high enough for me insure as standard, see above)

Overseas bidders please note conversion rates for Pounds to Dollars and Pounds to Euros will be charged at 1.7 to cover PayPal or cash conversion costs.

PLEASE NOTE: Any PayPal user can now pay me with UK Sterling if they wish with no need to convert to US dollars (although they still can if they wish to). Any instant PayPal transaction from anywhere in the world will mean the item will be sent immediately - it makes deals fast and very efficient.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. I now only accept PayPal, International money orders or cash from overseas bidders (UK Sterling, US dollars or Euros). Cash, cheques, postal orders and PayPal are fine from the UK. I allow maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if this does not happen I will relist the item and may send negative feedback unless an explanation is given. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask. Please keep watch on my Ebays, I have other interesting items coming very soon. Thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: As listening to every single record I offer all the way through is difficult timewise, can I make it clear if any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund minus the Posting and All Ebay costs as long as the item detail has been read and understood. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer. I still endeavour to play all the items in their entirity for grading if at all possible and is usually the case.