Sold Date: April 24, 2017
Start Date: April 16, 2017
Final Price: $200.00 (USD)
Seller Feedback: 220
Buyer Feedback: 2

WOW!! For sale is a simply INCREDIBLE MINT SEALED gatefold copy of Hendrix - Stereo Band Of Gypsys on Capitol STAO-472.

It's hard to tell from just the cover if it is the very first pressing but it is most certainly an EARLY first year pressing from 1970 for the following reasons:

There is NO RIAA Gold Record Award Stamp on the cover which only first/1970 pressings don't have until much later when a barcode was also obviously present.

There is NO barcode.

The cover is the original design on glossy cardboard with a thick vinyl record inside.

The spine is Mint and perfectly legible with no creases or damage.

This record came from a collection of records that an owner who had purchased in the 60's and early 70's. They died in the mid 70's and this collection has been in his mother's possession ever since. Plus the age is obvious on the original shrink as it shows signs storage that only time could replicate. NOTE: These signs of age appear to only be on the shrink wrap and not the cover beneath. I would grade the cover as NM+ to Mint.

There are NO corner bumps, creases, bends, warps saw marks or OOP drill holes whatsoever. There is the remains of what was mostly certainly an old price tag on the front.

The rear cover contains Printed In The USA in a small circle on the bottom left hand corner and a Capitol™ logo in the lower right hand corner on the rear.

The condition of the record must be nothing short of Mint. I almost never use this grade but this record looks like it was purchased this morning from a record store!! The original shrink wrap is tight and there are no rips, tears or holes in it and it has certainly done it's job of protecting it over all these years. It is quite obvious to tell it has never been opened and is GUARANTEED to be the original shrink wrap, not some crappy re-seal that was done by scammers. There is s small amount of ring wear ON THE SHRINK wrap itself but I do not believe goes deeper than the shrink itself meaning I believe the cover to be spotless under the shrink wrap.

The corners are sharp and perfect with no damage anywhere and I can only assume the record itself is in MINT condition as well since it has never been handled or removed and judging by the cover itself was obviously never creased or bent or anything else to harm it. You may very well never see a copy in such incredible condition (not to mention STILL SEALED!!!) ever again.

This is in my best opinion after much research, MOST LIKELY the highly sought after Robert Ludwig/Hulko mix but without opening it up which I cannot bring myself to do without selling it first, and therefore I cannot guarantee this. However as I said, all signs point to YES. I've done my research and the last sealed copy that the seller was somehow able to GUARANTEE (wish I knew exactly how) was a Ludwig mastered green label sold for $730!!!!

Again, without opening I cannot guarantee it is a Ludwig pressing but do not want to ruin the rarity and specialness of a factory sealed 1970 copy so I will leave it to the buyer's discretion. If you would like me to open it, I will not open the record until payment is received and instructed to do so but WILL be happy to open it carefully, remove the disc (obviously still in its original inner sleeve which I can only imagine to be Mint as well and check, then carefully place the disc in a high quality inner sleeve behind the jacket and carefully bubble wrap and place between cardboard stiffeners. I am more excited to know the matrix details than anyone!!

So there you have it folks- a SEALED MINT 1st or at least very early 1970 pressing of Hendrix's landmark album. I believe it to be the following version (Discogs link to follow) based on a couple of factors- it contains the (Courtesy Mercury Records) credit after Buddy Miles name on the back, does NOT contain the RIAA Gold Record Award Stamp which only the earliest/first pressings do not have and all of the credits on rear match. This is the copy I believe it to be as every detail I can spot matches an early 1970 Ludwig. This would make this copy a Robert Ludwig/Hulko mastering which are without a doubt the most desirable pressings. This is the version I believe it to be based on several factors. It is an early 1970 US pressing with the green Capitol label and Ludwig/Hulko mastering credits in the dead wax. Again, without opening it can't completely guarantee this which I would be willing to do and after purchase I'll refund the total if it turns out the be the wrong pressing. Here's the copy I believe it to be- I'm prevented from including clickable links but it is Discogs item number 9040677 ... I hope that helps you find it.

If you have any questions or more information on this pressing, please send me a message and ask and inform me- it is greatly appreciated as I would love to be able to offer a 100% guarantee that this is in fact a Ludwig pressing without having to open this sealed copy.

Again, any buyers who will be opening the record may ask me to open it after paying and on the small chance it is NOT a Robert Ludwig pressing, I will offer a complete refund before shipping if you wish ONLY in the event that it is NOT an RL (Bob Ludwig pressing). I'd rather open it myself as I could offer the refund before mailing it out.

Please read the descriptions and study the photos carefully. I believe this could be the best copy in existence of a Ludwig/Hulko mastered original pressing of Hendrix Band of Gypsys but due to its sealed nature I CANNOR GUARANTEE IT. If you DO purchase it and would like me to verify the pressing on the label and dead wax again I'd be happy to carefully open it and confirm my hunch that it is indeed the best and most desirable copy ever made. If I open it and it is NOT a Hulko/Ludwig I will refund your money. If you choose to open it yourself I cannot refund your money. Either way, SEALED pressings from 1970 do not appear often if at all anymore. Especially ones without any damage to the corners or creases or tears in the shrink wrap.

I will package this VERY carefully with cardboard stiffeners and bubble wrap in a high quality mailer. If you'd like me to open it I will put the disc behind the jacket to prevent possible seam splits (of which there are NONE) and in a high quality MoFi inner sleeve and inside a high quality resealable Japanese Mylar outer sleeve to further protect it.

PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE to ask any and all questions or provide any information possible as I am dying to learn more about this record.

Shipping on this item I would prefer to be USPS Priority Mail which depends on where you live. I out the weight at 5lbs as I plan to package it well with stiffeners and bubble wrap and plenty of tape and minimal transit time to ensure safety. I also added a Media Mail Option which is around $5 for that weight. I assure you, I make NO money off of shipping and handling. In fact I usually lost a little. Either option is okay with me. I just would like to get it there as quickly and safely as possible.

Thank you for looking and good luck!! Don't forget to ask any questions or make a comment. Thank you again! Best of luck!!

I strive for 100% customer feedback so in the unlikely event of a problem please contact me first and I will do everything possible to correct it!! Please take a moment to review my seller feedback and know you can buy with confidence!i