Sold Date: March 5, 2020
Start Date: February 24, 2020
Final Price: £19.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 2
Seller Feedback: 1615
Buyer Feedback: 197

MIKE OLDFIELD Tubular Bells Original UK LP A-2U B-2U Single Stampers Superb!!



MIKE OLDFIELD Tubular Bells. 1st Pressing Virgin 2001.  Released 1973.
 
A really nice copy of true 1st Pressing of this LP. It comes with the very first and much rarer A-2U B-2U Matrix (soon revised to B-3U) and even has single letter stampers of O and L, denoting the 5th and 8th Stamper respectively, so one of the very first ever produced.  It also comes with its full high gloss laminated sleeve bearing the very first 130 Notting Hill Gate address for Virgin Records. Finally, it comes with the correct Black and White “Two Virgins” label.  
 
Detailed Grading: -
 
Outer Sleeve: EX+ to NM
 
The outer sleeve is in EX+ condition, but is probably closer to Near Mint. It is a really superb example in top condition. There is very little wear and it is extremely hard to find any faults with it.  The spine is the correct “pinched” type and is also in stunning condition.
 
Vinyl: (Visual) EX
 
The LP is graded visually at EX condition,.  It shows a small to moderate amount of generally light hairlines.  The vinyl retains its deep black gloss sheen throughout.  A superb example, which seldom comes up for sale in this condition, and whilst it isn’t mint, it is a really nice condition copy.  
 
 
Vinyl (Playback) VG+ to EX-
 
The record played back with a little more surface noise than expected, but these early pressings on Virgin are notorious for the pressing quality not being great.  I would grade the playback as EX-.  The clarity and dynamic quality of the music is generally excellent but there is a certain amount of background noise present for much of the time
 
 
Matrix Numbers:
 
V2001 A-2U   1   O
V2001 B-2U   1    L
 
Labels: EX+
 
Nice and clean with no writing or other damage.
 
Inner Sleeve: EX
 
The generic inner sleeve shows minor signs of ageing with some slight discolouration and minor creasing in places, but it is generally clean.
 
Overall this is a really nice copy of this Iconic LP, with ALL correct features of a true first pressing.
 
 
Postage and Packing:
 
All records are placed in a separate poly lined inner and stored flat outside the sleeve and then placed sealed in a re-sealable polythene outer prior to shipping.  Records are then placed between square cardboard sheets before packaging into cruciform mailers especially designed for LP’s. These mailers are a high-grade type which reinforce the edges around the LP and as such they are larger and weigh more than standard mailers.  My postage costs reflect the additional size and weight of the packaging that I use.
 
UK Bidders:
£4.75 via first class postage.
 
Oversees Bidders: International Tracked & Signed only
Europe, including Russia: £12.95
Rest of World: £17.95
 
NOTE: POSTAL EXCLUSIONS: I WILL NOT POST THIS ITEM TO RUSSIA or SOUTH AMERICA
 
Postage Destinations – Europe (Excluding Russia), USA and Rest of World (Excluding S. AMERICA) 
 
Payment must be made within 3 days of the auction close.