HERBIE HANCOCK TAKIN' OFF 1962 US 1st press BLP 4109 NEW YORK VAN GELDER ear VG+

	£		267
	$		319

HERBIE HANCOCK - TAKIN' OFF

A very nice copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after 1962 U.S. 1st pressing jazz masterpiece, on BLUE NOTE records, BLP 4109

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  Etched BN-LP-4109 A - 1 with machine stamped "VAN GELDER" and Plastylite "ear" 

Side 2  Etched BN-LP-4109 B - 1 with machine stamped "VAN GELDER" and Plastylite "ear"

Note that this is the "A-1", "B-1" and not the "A", "B" first pressing variant and though there are circular grooves on the labels they are not DEEP grooves...I am aware that there are some earliest production run first pressing variants that have a DEEP groove on at least the side 2 label. Nonetheless, this record contains all of the other hallmarks of a first pressing including the "VAN GELDER" stamp and Plastylite "ear" logo on BOTH of the dead wax areas, and the "BLUE NOTE RECORDS INC * NEW YORK USA" circular text on each label - a fantastic rarity!

The overall appearance and condition of the heavy duty vinyl is excellent (EX). To be specific, side 1 is truly excellent, retaining a jet black sheen and beautiful luster with just a few very wispy hairlines and small surface scuffs and even these are really only noticeable with close scrutiny under a bright light. Side 2 is similar - glossy and again jet black, but tehe are x3 pencil thin non-feelable, surface only and superficial scuffs (see photo) which traverse some of both track 1 and 2. I stress that these glitches do NOT affect the audio quality at all (which is brilliant throughout) but they are noticeable in normal daylight, certainly when the vinyl is tilted at the right angle. Like side 1 there are just a few other very, very light and very small scuffs and wispy hairlines but, again, these are purely superficial. There is nothing "feelable" anywhere, so my overall grading of the vinyl is very good plus (VG+). Note the machine stamped "VAN GELDER" and the Plastylite "ear" on each of the dead wax areas signifying a first pressing of this landmark album.

The labels are excellent (EX). All text and the famous BLUE NOTE art work with blue and white text remains perfectly intact. Note the text and address "BLUE NOTE RECORDS INC * NEW YORK USA" which again signifies a first pressing. Under a bright light it is just possible to identify a few very faint spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each label but apart from that truly excellent plus! 

The thick cardboard and glossy front sided outer sleeve is in very good (VG) condition. All edges remain rigid with no creasing and for the most part devoid of scuffs. That includes the rigid spine where all text is perfectly intact and totally legible. There is, however, an obvious 4cm scuff and edge split on the top edge beside the top left corner, a 3mm *nick" in the middle of the top edge, a 1cm scuff and edge split on the bottom edge at the bottom left corner, just minimal rubbing on the open end corners, x4 very light and surface only horizontal crease marks on the front side adjacent and perpendicular to the spine, a few very, very light usage marks on the reverse sides, and the reverse side "paste-on" has had the extreme bottom left corner snipped off. I have tried to capture each of these blemishes in my accompanying photos. So not perfect by any means but still a highly presentable copy of this iconic album sleeve with no unwanted writing or doodles, all text (there's a lot!) on the reverse side totally intact and fully legible, and no creasing of note anywhere. 

Finally, the quality of the audio is truly excellent (EX). Terrific audio quality with wonderful tone and clarity throughout. No intrusive clicks or background interference (you might come across the very occasional and very light and background click but these are few and far between and no doubt caused by the odd speck of dust in the grooves through decades of storage), just crystal clear audio reproduction. Even the intermissions between tracks are silent. Sit back and immerse yourself with truly great jazz music performed by jazz legends each at the top of their game : HERBIE HANCOCK - piano, FREDDIE HUBBARD - trumpet, DEXTER GORDON - tenor sax, BUTCH WARREN - bass, and BILLY HIGGINS - drums. Superb!

Track lists :

Side 1 

1. WATERMELON MAN

2. THREE BAGS FULL

3. EMPTY POCKETS

Side 2

1. THE MAZE

2. DRIFTIN'

3. ALONE AND I

Comes with brand new plain white die-cut inner sleeve.

In summary an impressive condition and highly presentable copy of this extremely rare and highly sought after US first press contemporary jazz classic, a true landmark jazz album worthy of gracing any serious vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 50's, 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 49 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 64 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard crucifix style mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail special delivery  : UK £5.00; 

and Royal Mail 1st class tracked and signed for continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler