JOHN LENNON Wedding Album Orig UK Apple 1969

	£		566
	$		750

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Artist or Band: JOHN LENNON & YOKO ONO

Album Title: Wedding Album.

Producer(s): John Lennon & Yoko Ono.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: John and Yoko.

Side 2: Amsterdam.

Label/Format: Apple – original dark format (Please see my label scan).

Label Conditions: Both little short of immaculate: very clean and attractive with only a tiny few light and faint spindle traces and no wear around the hole area.

Cat Number: SAPCOR 11.

Mode / Speed: Stereo / 33.3 rpm. This album was not issued in mono.

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: 140 grams. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 135 to 145 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, many records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 50 records from these eras.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Background: It's mostly an exaggeration to state any John Lennon album is ‘rare’. Most sold well and some in vast numbers, but this is a major exception. UK copies of this album are very rare indeed, most that surface are American-made which are a little easier to find. This album did sell slightly better there and actually scraped (briefly) into their charts. This was the last of three experimental albums he made in quick succession on Apple that were bordering on the avant garde. For those bought up on Beatles albums, they were too strange and 'out there', many deemed them unlistenable and most ignored them. This was a very lavish set which was expensive to purchase on release and few bothered, it must have been a commercial disaster for the label. Debatable if this album actually contains any ‘music’ at all I suppose. Side one features the two newly weds speaking each other’s name over a backdrop of electronic heartbeats. Arguably with erotic overtones as I guess it was meant to portray, the vocals range from calm to frenzied and sounds nearer the end more than confirm the intention. Side two features the ‘Bed-In’ protest for peace in Amsterdam with interviews and dialogue, the only music, albeit ultra brief, with the sound of ‘Because’ featuring for a second or two. It had no commercial potential at all but the importance of this album goes beyond the content as entertainment. Firstly, it makes a statement for the time: a pair committed to a cause and the historic relevance of what is included on this record goes beyond entertainment. Secondly, what you get here is almost a personal piece of the Lennon’s special day. The box includes several parts and many that surface have pieces missing or with major damage. This one IS complete and there is minimal issues with the pieces inside but one or two blemishes are difficult to avoid over 40+ years. More details for each piece is given below. For those who shelled-out on this very personal set, most are locked away in Beatles’ collections and few surface to be offered, especially complete UK ones. Few completists would ever part with this album but this did come from a highly discerning owner’s collection. The record is in lovely clean condition and plays the same. It’s the very first one of these I have had to chance to offer and I have seen so few and most of what I have seen were either not available to purchase or US-made. The mothers and stampers on this copy are very early indeed, I do not know how many of these were actually produced, but for sure, unlike The Beatles and most other albums by Lennon, they did not bust-a-gut to press many as demand was only low. For fans of this legendary artist, this really is an indispensable piece of his history - I found the record’s content beyond interesting, it’s essential, and the contents are almost priceless and this is a very rare opportunity to own what in its own right, a legendary Apple set.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: SAPCOR 11 A-1 / SAPCOR 11 B-1

Mother & Stamper Codes: 1 H / 1 H

Box Grade and Format: It’s difficult to grade this box less than full Excellent. These style of boxes are rarely seen without major damage. Corners broken and flattened with rips and tears and substantial wear, all common traits of the boxed album. The box comes in two separate parts: a base and lid and it’s not overly sturdy. It is matt finished with no laminate, the corner construction appears to have been reinforced in manufacture with white tape which has helped strengthen the corners more than if not been present. The inside lid includes the vital marriage certificate, the first part of the important original contents. This was printed and made in England by Shenval Press, London and Harlow.

Box Lid & Marriage Certificate: Like practically boxed sets, the actuall box rarely survives unblemished and this does have one or two minor issues. The front, which shows the couple under the arch is lovely and the artwork (seen in close-up) is nigh-on perfect. There appears to be a faint price sticker reisue trace near the top right corner which probably will remove if deemed necessary with care (but it hardly even shows). A few minor surface blemishes and odd faint surface crease but few will show fewer and the whiteness has been well retained with no yellowing and any grubbiness minimal. The folds all very secure with no breaks or tears, odd minor burr or ‘ripple’ being critical. The left edge has the ‘spine’ text which is pristine, further down is a light surface scuff pull mark which represents the most of any very minor damage on this box lid, being white it shows little. The bottom edge has the Apple imprint and logo which is perfect. The top and right edges have little to fault, all have darkened a little with age and handling but not in any major way. The inside of the lid is in super shape as is the crucial copy of the actual certificate which is still firmely pasted as it was made. The odd tiny tone spot trace if being critical but this looks lovely. All the personal details of the couple including full names (John Winston Lennon & Yoko Ono Cox) are seen in full detail. The inside of the box and edges are all very white and show barely any wear or ageing – importantly, this is fully intact with no crushing or repairs and is still very rigid and as strong as when first made.

Box Base: Again as solid as when first made with no crushing or repairs. The inside very clean indeed with few marks or blemishes at all. One edge has a mild crease but all are tear-free and the outsides are nicely white with barely any marks or grubbiness. The bottom side is plain white with just the odd tiny mark or surface blemish and any grubbiness unusually faint and few.

The Record Cover: EX++ A convention record cover is included to keep the record in. A gatefold format with front and back laminate. The front is single thickness card and the record enters via the centrefold, so very delicate indeed. The inside is matt finished and shows the pair on the ‘Bed-In’ with the surrounding press. The front and back are in superb condition with the laminate very shiny and uncreased, all fully adhered with no lifting, peeling or blistering. The front shows the pair passionately kissing, the back has the ‘Bed-In’ picture, this time in colour. There is no dulling or friction rubbing and this cover looks fantastic. There is a tiny crease near the top right corner of the back – this area is ultra fragile due to the solidly-pressed record being stored into the centre of cover so the odd blemish is almost unavoidable. The inside, top and bottom of the fold and record entrance area are slightly creased but any splits are minuscule, bordering on nicks and that is unusual on these types. There is little else to fault and even any set-off has been avoided. The edges are all very fine with no splits and the spine in great shape with all text pristine under solid and clear laminate that is unpeeled and strong. Any burr traces to the vulnerable thin front are tiny, few and very faint. This real album cover will be hard to find much better.

‘The Wedding’ Giant Poster: EX++ and only downgraded from Mint(-) because of a small split on the ‘The Wedding’ Yoko portrait area on the top edge. I have neatly repaired this anyway. This is very big indeed and it has never been mounted e.g. no pin-holes or cellotape marks, both sides look superb. I have taken one close-up of the classic picture of the pair in bed with Lennon holding his acoustic guitar – all the pictures on this piece are black and white and are gems for the real fan. Clean and fresh with all folds strong and unstressed. I doubt if this has been unfolded many times at all and little handled.

‘The Press’ Book: Practically Mint. A 20-page large book including multiple press cuttings and cartoons of the event. Almost a private scrapbook of newspaper cuttings which are very readable and of immense interest to fans. This is practically as made and looks barely even handled. Even the matt black covers are unblemished or creases and devoid of fingermarks that often ruin these type of dark surfaces.

Cartoon Sheet Insert: Mint(-) Again almost box size and opens three times size in landscape format with two manufactured folds. I would have liked to have shown more details on the contents of this set, but picture restrictions alas did not allow. This is almost as made again with practically nothing to fault. It features surreal-style cartoons of the ‘Bed-In’. All edges crisp and sharp with no creasing and both folds solid. Odd minor thumb surface ripples if being ultra critical and as clean as new.

The’Cake Slice’ Insert: Practically Mint and printed by Shenval – I will mention here, all the parts are UK-made. This is printed on thin card that is ultra smooth and feels coated. The picture is a slice of the wedding cake on a doily, the other side is pure white with no picture. This (as well as all other inserts) are unmounted and this has nothing to fault.

The Photograph Strip: This was four black and white pictures that represented pictures taken in a booth (often used for passports). This strip has the bottom one cut and has been held together again with a piece of masking tape on the back. Viewing from the front makes this less than obvious. Grading this is very subjective, there is not damage to the strip as such but it has been ‘repaired’ I guess. Looking at it, it appears to be in EX++ condition - you decide how much difference the very neat repair makes.

The ‘Bed-In’ Post Card: Practically Mint, as made. Uncreased or aged, all edges crisp and very sharp. No writing on the back which has the odd ultra faint tone trace you look ultra critically - this is beyond nit-picking.

The ‘Bagism’ PVC Bag: Little short of Mint and one of the most delicate parts of this set. This is heavy and as pristine white as new. All edges unsplit with no creasing and even the top opening is totally pristine. Some surface ripple is unavoidable and was almost certainly present from day one. I truly cannot imagine finding this delicate part fresher, cleaner or better than this.

The Inner Sleeve: Around EX. Finally the last part of the content bar the important record itself. A plain white unlined inner that is very clean with only mild ripple and one corner crease. The edge are unsplit, the bottom corners are vented in manufacture.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: Even with a tiny few light surface scuffs, I cannot grade this beautiful Apple record less than EX++ A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and very solidly pressed. A copy with minimal plays on all the evidence and the minor visual blemishes have no sound whatsoever. Merely movement blemishes and I would be almost certain present from when bought. Hardly unusual in such sets. Visually a super record that should please most 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 snippetts 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: This very personal John Lennon record which is still so underrated and appreciated plays even above its high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing. It has minimal to no conventional music as such as explained above, but side one is a collage of vocal over a backdrop of heartbeats. In avant garde terms, it is music I guess, I liked it, but I enjoy the more challenging material. Side two is historically important and is very interesting to hear the pair’s views at this time. Few copies will match or outperform this early pressing significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, I am certain this record has been played very lightly and has been clearly well stored and carefully handled, almost certainly in a non-smoking environment. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this very rare Apple record – without doubt, one of the rarest to adorn this famous Beatles’ label. This copy will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended.

End Piece: Clearly very rare and more so ‘complete’ – UK pressings are the most cherished and desired of all. British records for British artists is a rule I like to stick too, but again that’s just my opinion. Of the few that do surface, the majority are US versions and often with pieces missing or badly worn, impaired or damaged. Okay, this has a few blemishes, but all are relatively minor. I have carefully explained all above and it took some time, but I consider imperative to any interested collector. This is an important album on a very collectable label and a massive piece in a Beatles-related collection. Anyone has the right to know exactly what’s coming and on the rare pieces its crucial. There is a little box blemishing with a surface scuff one edge, a small repair on the huge poster and the strip of photos was in two pieces, now held neatly together with a piece of masking tape on the back. In context of this set, I consider these relatively minor. You can imagine what many will look like. What is important is all the pieces look superb and vitally, ALL are included. The record plays superbly and was a delight to hear (my vinyl experience of this by-the-way). It will not be seen or offered often, of that, there is no doubt. A serious piece, by a serious artist, for the serious collector. I feel sure few will will be disappointed with this, but if for any reason, you have doubts, do not bid. This is too fragile and heavy to be shipped around more than it needs to be, that said my shipping is near bullet proof as can be seen on my packing package that I use for all my records, not just the rare ones. I think the great man himself would approve. Good luck to all, and any questions, please ask.

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 with Ittok Mk IV arm and Ortofon 2M moving magnet cartridge (tracks at 1.8 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

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 heavy duty soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth 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 thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) 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 THREE or EVEN FOUR 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. 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. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. 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. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners 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 6,000+ items sold in over 8 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 stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

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 unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. 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 – it’s always worth asking.

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.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (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 [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); 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 [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance 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: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. 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 neccessarily 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’.