The Doors Strange Days Lp Very FIRST 1967 U.S. -1/-1 Monarch Press NEAR MINT

Sold Date: January 9, 2026
Start Date: January 4, 2026
Final Price: $750.00 (CAD)
Seller Feedback: 1776
Buyer Feedback: 1908

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One of The Doors finest albums....and many (myself included) consider it their best.  'Strange Days' (EKS-74014) was released in the U.S. in September 1967 and the very first Stereo pressing had a curious 1 ~ 2 second "drop out" or "flutter" at the very start of the first song on Side 2 ("People Are Strange"). All the records pressed at the Monarch pressing plant in Los Angeles, CA. with -1/-1 matrices have this issue. Mastering engineer, Ray Hagerty was informed of the problem and quickly recut the lacquer and the album was repressed with various other combination of matrices. I've heard all the subsequent U.S. pressings from the 60s and the -1/-1 Monarch copies always come out on top. There is a particular indefinable tone or balance of the instruments that is not heard on any other pressing.  Was the master tape not used again when cutting new lacquers for subsequent pressings? Possibly. All I know is what my ears tell me....it almost sounds like a 45rpm pressing coming from a 33/1/3 rpm record.  


Finding this pressing in any condition is hard enough. But finding one in Near Mint condition is next to impossible.  I am offering this gem for audiophiles and fans/collectors of The Doors .....you won't see one of these again in this condition for a long time ...if ever.


Cover: Near Mint+.....58 years ago the original owner showed some restraint and wisely chose not to remove the original shrink wrap from the cover. That decision is our gain because what we have here is a vintage 'Strange Days' cover in like-new condition.  Joel Brodsky's front and back cover photograph have always looked best on these early printed covers....the color tone is more intense and a little darker than on later printed examples.  

Original Inner-Sleeve: Excellent.....most of these original inner-sleeves are found with stains, tears, and excessive folding. This one here, while not perfect, is very close to it.  A couple of minor tears at the opening and a small split to one side. These can all be easily repaired....but why bother?  Better to keep the original material intact. On the West Coast, the photo/lyric inner-sleeve for 'Strange Days' were printed on glossy paper. On the East Coast they were matte textured.  A higher quality inner-sleeve will be included to house the precious record.

Record: Near Mint to Mint....the thick and heavy record shines like it was pressed yesterday. This is so hard to find with any vintage 60s pressing let alone a -1/-1 Monarch. Both gold/amber Elektra labels are incredibly clean and show no spindle marks. There is a little area of imperfection around the Side 1 label (see photo) that was undoubtedly caused during the pressing process.  This record has had 1 - 2 plays at most and is without question a final upgrade.  


Matrix Numbers:       Side 1         EKS  74014 A         (mon - 1)          (MR)               Triangle symbol  11050          rh 
                                 Side 2         EKS  74014 B         (mon - 1)          (MR)               Triangle symbol  11050 - X    rh

Please Note: The initials "rh" at the end of the matrix numbers were etched (very small) by mastering engineer, Ray Hagerty. 



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