HENDRIX ELECTRIC LADYLAND RARE 1st Press. Nov 1968

	£		165
	$		219

The Jimi Hendrix Experience. “Electric Ladyland”. Double LP set. EXCEPTIONALLY RARE. VERY EARLIEST 1ST PRESSING. 16TH NOVEMBER 1968. (Please see below). WITH INCREDIBLY RARE “CROSSOVER” COVER.

Track Label   613008, 613009

Matrix No.                613008-B//1

                             613008-A//1

                             613009-B//1

                             613009-A//1

As you can see the stamping codes are //1 on all four sides, although on their own, stamping codes are not definitive of an earliest 1st pressing.

VERY rare “CROSSOVER” E.J. Day gatefold cover (details below).

Original track inner sleeves.

Both records in exceptional condition for year.

What sets an earliest UK November 1968 first pressing apart from later multiple Track re-issues? (and there were plenty!) Well first and some would say, most importantly, the sound. 1st pressings are on heavier and thicker vinyl and the difference in the stereo mix and panning effects is great. Obviously this doesn’t help E-bayers, so there are visual ways to identify the very earliest pressings.

Firstly, the earliest Track labels have a slightly different texture to the paper, but the obvious difference is the catalogue numbers. To the left of the centre hole is the catalogue number (613008, 613009) in large silver print. Just above this in smaller print, inverted and in a bracket is the printed equivalent of the matrix number (613008A, B, 613009 A, B). This is only found on first pressings.

Matrix numbers or stamping codes are the die stamped numbers on the run out track at the centre of the LP around the label, and are as above 613008-A//1, 613008-B//1, 613009-A//1,613009-B//1, but these are not a definitive way of identity as they were re-used in 1970 – 1971.

The1st pressing E.J.Day gatefold cover has huge differences exclusive to the ONE printing batch. The colour tones on the naked models are much deeper, with an almost green flesh tint. The laminate is very heavy and glossy, coating both the inside and the outside of the cover. This is not easy to judge from a computer image – but the most visible differences are found on the inside of the cover. The track listings & details & Track logo are in a vivid blue colour, every following cover but the earliest 1st pressings of 1968 had the titles in a white colour scheme. Above the blue titles are two pictures of Mitch and Noel. In the earliest 1st pressings these are large and fill most of the available space. In all later covers, the pictures have reduced to a much smaller size. This format was also used for later Polydor issues.

A “CROSSOVER” cover is even RARER than an original first pressing cover ( And I am very grateful to Thomas Doyle, aka Musicman, for his expertise in this area).  The 1st run of E.J. Day blue text sleeves were running out in late 1968, so a small further run was printed to use up the remaining original first pressing vinyl. This small print run is UNIQUE. It had the track listing and details in the vivid BLUE, but the Track Logo and small print to the bottom left, in WHITE. The pictures of Noel & Mitch are the large size. (See pictures) This is known as a CROSSOVER cover.

These really are VERY RARE, as a very limited number were printed, much less than the original print run of 1st pressing covers.

You just don’t see them for sale.

There is one other issue that has a bearing on the album cover. When it was first released in the UK, the nude models cover outraged the press, the models, and Jimi himself was not best pleased! The 60’s UK public were a fairly “moralistic” lot – concerned with the  possible corruption of teenagers. There was the inevitable outcry and record shop owners (there were far more independents in those days) were nervous of displaying covers in their racks and incurring public censure. So they solved the problem simply, by folding the record gatefold cover inside out. Unfortunately for such a thick cover there was often irreparable damage to the spine. THIS COPY WAS NOT FOLDED.

On this 1st pressing, the matt black track labels are in pristine condition with virtually unworn spindle areas, just a few light marks. (see photos). The vinyl is in exceptional condition for it’s age, with only a few wispy surface marks which do not affect sound quality.(See photos)  All sides are “shiny” looking with no “greying”. Most of these 60’s albums will have done the “wild party rounds”, played on Dansette players with a half crown weighing down the stylus! Not this one! How do I know – because I have owned it from day one and for most of its life it has been stored. I would grade all sides as excellent.

The cover is the original E.J. Day printers  “CROSSOVER” cover as previously discussed. The laminate has slight creasing to one front corner and two vertical creases about 2 to 3” long. The edges and corners have slight wear. The spine is fully intact externally. There is slight laminate creasing to the spine internally.

Internal condition is excellent, with only several undulations to the right side of the picture of Jimi and slight bottom corner laminate creasing. Overall given the age and nature of the cover, I would rate it as excellent. The colours are as new.

The inner sleeves are original Track white polylined. There is slight yellowing to one side, otherwise excellent.

I have owned this album from original release, it came from Pete Russels Hot Record Store in Plymouth, - happy days!!

This is a unique opportunity to own a part of living history, and not to be missed by a collector. CROSSOVER cover 1st pressings are seriously rare.

If you would like detailed information of the stamping codes – or any further information please don’t hesitate to contact me. I have been as honest as possible in my description and facts. If you are not satisfied then I am willing to offer a full refund. Please see my history for previous sales.

This is a no reserve auction. Thanks for your interest & happy bidding!