JEFFERSON AIRPLANE Bless It's Pointed… with RARE INSERT

	£		52
	$		69

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World.

Postage: UK £4.25. Europe £11.75. Rest of World £15.75. ALL signed for. – NOTE: I now apply the Ebay ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment. I try to keep my P&P as low as possible after the very significant Royal Mail price increases.

Artist or Band: JEFFERSON AIRPLANE

Album Title: Bless Its Pointed Little Head

Producer(s): Al Schmitt.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Clergy; 3/5s of a Mile on 10 Seconds; Somebody to Love; Fat Angel; Rock Me Baby.

Side 2: The Other Side of Life; It’s No Secret; Plastic Fantastic Lover; Turn Out the Lights; Bear Melt.

Label/Format: RCA Victor with very deep large ring ridge (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both very clean, fresh and attractive with a lovely deep rich colour. Side two has a few spindle marks that show little, side one has barely any at all.

Cat Number: LSP-4133.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 138 grams A very good solid weight record.

Country of Manufacture: US.

Rarity: Scarce: very early US pressings are not easily found especially with the original shrinkwrap still on the cover. US pressings generally offer better, more open sound for this album and it includes that very desirable insert sheet that was never included in any UK copy. This makes this set far more special and in general, US early Jefferson albums offered more than the UK versions.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: WPRS - 3666 - 1S / WPRS - 3667 - 2S

Musicians: Grace Slick - Vocals; Marty Balin - Vocals, Bass; Jack Casady - Rhythm Guitar, Bass; Spencer Dryden - Drums, Percussion; Paul Kantner - Rhythm Guitar, Vocals; Jorma Kaukonen - Lead Guitar, Vocals.

Brief Info: A live album, the band’s first recorded at both the Fillmore East and West in the autumn of 1968 and released in 1969. An essential album as it includes five songs previously unissued on their previous titles. The familiar songs now sound very different with a much heavier sound and overall this is a terrific vintage recording. The interpretation of Donovan’s ‘Fat Angel’ is particularly interesting and the albums finale, ‘Bear Melt’ is an 11-minute improvisation where the band swap instruments. This early American copy has a more open sound with wide grooves. Clearly little played and offering near top sound with just a little surface sound and a few sporadic light ticks on the first opening piece – an intro of taped dialogue and effects before the real music starts, little unwanted thereafter and this vintage record will prove difficult to find much better. Finding copies with the shrink still on the cover is difficult and the failure of the UK copies to include the bizarre insert sheet was a big mistake. For fans of this most wonderful of bands (up to 1969 anyway), this is truly essential.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(+): this probably being ultra cautious. This single, unlaminated cover is made with thick card and is typically brittle and fragile. This retains practically all of it’s original shrinkwrap with just the right edge cut for record access. So only the right edge for approximately a centremetre has been exposed along with the odd small area where the wrap has split e.g. near the bottom right edge. This was printed and made in the USA and includes that elusive and quite rare ‘Bless It’s Pointed Little Head’ insert sheet.

Cover Front: One small corner tip crease (bottom left) and mild rub traces to the exposed right pair, that apart little else to fault on what is a cover almost entirely covered with the original shrink as explained above. One possible tiny chip near the top, this lies totally below the shrink. A little possible compression on the top edge, but these US covers were never nearly as neat as standard European covers, but that makes them uniquely American in that respect I suppose.

Cover Back: The back appears to have little to fault at all, any wear to the exposed left strip is tiny and faint.

Top Edge: This edge retains full shrinkwrap coverage, a couple or three pressed areas, or just typical manufacture trait of covers like this. No splits are evident.

Bottom Edge: The bottom edge is crisper and neater overall, the first couple of inches on the right has the shrink split hence exposure. But minimal traces of wear with just rubbing to the actual corner and again, no splits are evident.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Quite sharp with little wear and no feathering. Minimal thickening or burring, this is made with typical thick card. Record enters on this edge.

Spine and Text: The bottom corner has lightly rubbing, the top one still fully covered in the wrap. The rest of the spine is fully covered and protected, hence it appears almost as made with all text unworn and no splits again.

Corners: Some tip rubbing on the right exposed pair, lesser so on the spine bottom but that has a small tip crease. Very fine shape is largely retained, that a difficult ask on these vintage US covers.

Cover Summary: A very strong all-round example of this classic late 60’s cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better for an American copy. The original shrink wrap has done it’s job well in protecting the vast majority of this fragile cover – so few will even exist like this. This attractive item should please many, if not most collectors. This came to me in a plain white unlined open window inner that looks barely aged at all. Original or not, I do not know, that being totally honest.

The Insert Sheet: EXCELLENT(++): this is a superb insert and rarely seen outside the area of it’s manufacture. It certainly was never included in UK copies and probably not elsewhere either. It has one manufactured fold around quarter of the way into it’s width – this present simply to fit it inside the album cover. This fold has a tiny nick on the bottom which is so neat and crisp, it’s was almost certainly manufactured that way. A light bottom corner semi-crease shows little and this apart, nothing else to really fault and finding this insert better will never prove easy. This was printed on both sides and is guaranteed original. Both sides are very clean and fresh and importantly, this has NEVER been mounted – so NO pin-holes or tape marks. All corners and edges are crisp and sharp and this bizarre ‘Pointed Little Head’ insert sheet is fantastic.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT: again probably being too cautious. A very fine visual copy that is very clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A copy very modestly played on all the evidence with any surface marks mostly very small, fine and faint as seen under angled light. Visually a super record that should please many collectors again.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Still possibly an underappreciated record and that should not be. This captures the real edge of this psych-era band – the production a little raw, but it sounds just right to me for this time. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is high within the limitations of a 60s live recording with a good dynamic range and detailed sound. Any surface sounds register little and no pops and few clicks were noted with most all of anything on the short, very quiet intro which is taped dialogue and effect. When the real music starts there is little unwanted thereafter. Few copies will match or outperform this early US pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been generally well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Little of any real note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this record. This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. 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, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - 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 collector – 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 and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. 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, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand+ based on over 8,000+ items sold in over 10 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please as me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.25

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £11.75 (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £3 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£46 maximum]) = £15.75 Add £3 per extra LP. (Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.