Sold Date: September 3, 2014
Start Date: August 27, 2014
Final Price: £185.00 (GBP)
Bid Count: 12
Seller Feedback: 3770
Buyer Feedback: 167

Someone's sleeping through a bad dream,
  Tomorrow it will be over,
For the world will soon be waking to a summer's day.
PAUL McCARTNEY: "McCartney II" LP. UK VERY FIRST UK PRESSING, 16th MAY, 1980.


SILVER & BLACK PARLOPHONE LABEL: PCTC 258.
Outside of re-issues, I believe this was the first time a newly issued Paul McCartney or Wings LP was released on the silver and
black Parlophone label, first pressings of "Band On The Run" were on Apple, even if the labels were black & silver.
 
MAITRIX: PCTC 258  A - 2U  / PCTC 258   B - 2U
In 1980,EMI were still placing the letter 'U' after  the final maitrix digit, well, in this case the '2' digit was the very first used and
that was also a continuation of the 1970's format.  '2U' was the starting point and with every successive pressing batch, it rose
per side, '- 2U ' on both sides is a very first pressing and extremely rare for an ultimate condition, unplayed true Mint record.
I have sold every possible variation of "McCartney II", including a UK Promo LP with a press pack and even a seldom seen Pye
contract pressing, an unplayed '2U' / '2U' is equally as rare.

EMI STAMPING CODES:  *17 -  2 / ** 42 - 'G' ?
*No.17 from the 2nd mother.
** Unclear but the shape is positively the letter 'G' which represented '1' only under months earlier, with a very first maitrix
on both sides and '2' on the other side, I am certain this side reads as No.42 from the 1st mother.

The 1980 "McCartney II" was pressed when EMI introduced a change in their methods of indexing records, initially only a minor change,
because between late 1981 and early 1982 there would no longer be stamping digits or coded letters in the 3 & 9 o'clock positions
of the run-out grooves.  I have detailed this for early EMI 1980's records and the most affected album was the 1980 pressings of
Pink Floyd's "The Wall", the late 1979 genuine first pressings have the unchanged maitix format, but once pressings moved into
early 1980, the 3 o'clock position letter was altered.   Not only altered, the digits were larger, which suggests new presses were
being installed in 1980, which would explain why EMI started to make major alterations.  Identifying a genuine 1979 pressing
is relevant to re-issues of "The Wall" because there were many other changes to the cover & the lyric inner sleeves in comparison
to the 1979 first pressings.  So this is the ideal record to demonstrate the first stage of a complete overhaul of EMI's indexing
system, the first pressings of "McCartney 11" often had one foot in the 1960's & 1970's indexing, but the other was in the 1980's
re-designing of a tried and tested method.  When compared to the upheaval bar codes would soon involve, the pre-digital age was
like a breath of fresh air for revealing the most intricate details for every individual record pressed.

Basically, by the Spring of 1980 EMI were almost exclusively using actual digits in place of coded letters for the pressing order
in the 3 o'clock positions.  Changes happened slowly, I have seen so many 1980 EMI related records, including "McCartney 11,"
with  letters still used, perhaps out of habit alone for the pressing plant engineers.  I have regularly found the 'new' actual digits
on one side and still with the coded letter or letters on the other side of the same record.
 

FIRST ISSUE ONLY, UK PRINTED THICK CARDBOARD LYRICS & PICTURE INNER SLEEVE, UNUSED, UNSPLIT
AND UNAGED, WITH SUCH A GENTLE RECORD IMPRESSION, IN MINT CONDITION.


VERY FIRST GATEFOLD COVER, WITH '8005 G&L' PRINTED ON THE BACK BOTTOM RIGHT RIM, WHICH PLACES THE
'Garrod & Lofthouse' PRINTING IN MAY, 1980, THE SAME MONTH OF THE ALBUM'S RELEASE.
THE COVER WAS UNUSED AND SO LOVINGLY KEPT, WITH ONLY ABSOLUTELY MINUSCULE SIGNS OF STORAGE AND
STANDING POSSIBLE FOR THE LAST 34 YEARS.   WHICH AMOUNTS TO THE MEREST HINT OF BRUSHING TO THE
EXTREMITIES. THIS COVER LITERALLY LOOKS AND FEELS LIKE IT WAS BOUGHT THIS MORNING IN A RECORD SHOP,
NOT BACK IN MAY, 1980.  NOTHING A MINUS ON THE GRADING WILL NOT INCORPORATE, IN MINT- CONDITION.


PLEASE SEE MY PICTURES FOR HOW IMMACULATE THE LABELS ARE, THE RECORD IS LIKE BRAND NEW WITHOUT A
SOLITARY SPINDLE ALIGNMENT TRACE ON EITHER SIDE.  THE VINYL IS AS DEEPLY GLOSSY AND UNMARKED AS THE
DAY IT WAS PRESSED, IN UNPLAYED, MINT CONDITION.
SIDE 1
"Coming Up"
"Temporary Sectretary"
"On The Way"
"Waterfalls"
"Nobody Knows"

SIDE 2
"Front Parlour"
"Summer's Day Song"
"Frozen Jap"
"Bogey Music"
"Dark Room"
"One Of These Days"

All songs written, performed, produced, recorded and mixed by Paul McCartney, who played every instrument and sung every
vocal, the only track with anyone else appearing, was Linda singing harmonies on "One Of These Days." Once I establish the pressing details, I like to concentrate only on the album, an unplayed very first pressing of "McCartney II"
is rather special. Naturally I intend offering it without changing that status, I'm sure the tracks are not in need of describing
for the contents.  I always guarantee all my records to be as described if played by myself, the guarantee remains just as firmly
in place, even if I did not not personally press them!

In Britain we seem to take our musical genius' for granted, 'ex-Beatle' is not good enough because he has been an inspired and
  inspiring artist for 42 years after the Beatles went their separate ways back in 1970.  Surely it is way past time to acknowledge
  the towering talent of Paul McCartney, the just written credits do not include how his experimentations produced such stunning
  songs and a record of true greatness.  After spending most of the 1970's working with Wings, in July 1979 Paul decided to sever
   the connection with a band in order to spend time with his family in their Scotland farm, while still writing some new songs and
recording them at home.  Freed from keeping a band together and constant touring, for his next venture he felt it was the perfect
opportunity to revisit a very enjoyable, successful method of working from just before the Beatles broke up, nine years earlier,
"McCartney" had been a solo album in every sense of the word.  Paul was really keen to try that again, not only writing the songs
  and playing all the instruments this time as well, that was no problem for a musical genius, now he took over every possible part
  of the record making process.  Now he even handled all of the sound engineering duties, recording and mixing were normally the
responsibility of trained professionals in recording studios, knowing how the highest audio standards were required did not cause
him any concern.  He plugged the microphones directly into the back of a Studder 16 Track recording machine he had installed at
his home.  Maybe not the conventional method of using a studio recording console, which was readily available in Abbey Road or
any top studio around the globe, but Paul had gone beyond needing to comply with standard procedures.  Often artists make solo
albums and play all the instruments, compose and sing the songs, but I cannot think of another artist who took care of everything
except pressing the records and printing the cover etc. himself!   Married to Linda, he had one of rock's finest photographers for
  the cover artwork, but he was just as capable of designing, drawing and painting something himself.  One side of the inner sleeve
has a great photo taken by Linda, Paul looking like he's just got out of bed, dressed in very baggy, loose fitting clothes and facing
the Studder tape machine.  Tugging hard on his tee-shirt is their young child ,and Paul appears to not notice as he concentrates
  only on the music.
 
  The first song recorded was very aptly titled,"Check My Machine", obviously intended to test the recording set up was functioning
properly.  Then that songwriting genius of his took over, the recording session produced over twenty new songs, I said free from
  Wings and touring, but before that, there were still obligations and that was the reason the sessions lasted so long.
  Unsure quite what to do with the fresh compositions, the summer holiday of '79 was over and they would have to wait until after
  Paul re-united with Wings for a two month UK tour in November and December,1979.  To coincide with that, on the 1st December
Paul released a track from those twenty + songs recorded during July,"Wonderful Christmastime" became his first solo single since
1971 and he had a No.6 hit the UK charts.  Partly celebrated by spending nine days in a Japanese jail!  Japan had refused to re-new
  his working /performing visa because of Paul & Linda's numerous arrests in the 1970's for marijuana, in fact, Paul last performed
live there with the Beatles in 1966.  Japan now allowed him to return with Wings and the booked January,1980 tour of Japan was a
sell out, but.....
On landing in Tokyo, the 16th January, 1980, a customs search of Paul and Linda's luggage discovered 219 grams of marijuana in a
suitcase, old 60's habits die hard!  Yet another arrest, nine days were spent locked inside a Japanese jail, the tour was cancelled.
Once released, Paul and Linda flew back home to their Scottish farm, to leave Paul pondering his next move, Wings were put aside
for now and those recording;s made in the summer of 1979, were now mixed and readied for release in May 1980.  From the sessions
"Coming Up" was issued as a single in the April prior to "McCartney 11," that was followed by "Waterfalls" a month after the album
launch in June.
 
In between all that, Wings won an award for 'Best Instrumental Performance" for "Rockestra Theme" at the 22nd Grammy Awards in
February. Paul had huge commercial success, yet he still turned back the clock to 1970, to his first solo album after the Beatles
disbanded, "McCartney," was recorded mostly at home with Paul playing all the instruments, including even drums.  The second solo
LP was a triumph, re-named after the first, also titled simply as "McCartney 11," it made No.1 in the UK and went gold in the USA.
  {Roy}
  R & M RECORDS.

My lifetime's love of music and records began at a very young age, the arrival of the Beatles and the 1960's decade
  in general had a very profound effect. It was only natural to bring all my first hand experience of collecting vinyl
  into becoming a professional record seller.  Over twenty years ago now we entered into the wonderful atmosphere
of record fairs with the highest possible standards set. When the Internet became the world's new market place for
  vinyl, in 2001 it was time to join ebay. Those standards were rigidly adhered to as they will always continue to be,
the basics of honesty and integrity were very much part of the era the music I love originated in, so here is our friendly
and very efficient service we are proud to provide;

EVERY RECORD IS FULLY PLAYED AND COMES WITH A 'NO ARGUMENT' MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.
  I USE GOOD OLD COMMON SENSE AS WELL AS A GLOBALLY ACCEPTED GRADING TERMINOLOGY
  FROM THE U.K. "RECORD COLLECTOR PRICE GUIDE" BOOK.
THERE IT CLEARLY STATES "Sound Quality" AFFECTS EVERY GRADING LEVEL AND THAT IS THE ONE
AND ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO ACCURATELY GRADE RECORDS. i.e. COMBINING A STRICT VISUAL
INSPECTION WITH VERY CLOSELY LISTENING TO EVERY SECOND, UNLESS PERHAPS IN THE CASE
OF GENUINELY UNPLAYED VINYL.  EVEN THEN WE STILL TAKE FULL RESPONSIBITY FOR A RECORD
WHEN A CUSTOMER RECEIVES EITHER A SEALED OR AN UNPLAYED RECORD.
 

MY DESCRIPTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE 100% HONEST AND TOTALLY ACCURATE ON ALL GRADINGS
FROM 'V.G.' ( VERY GOOD), TO THE ULTIMATE 'MINT' CONDITION.


ANY QUESTIONS ON OUR ITEMS ARE WELCOMED AND WILL BE PROMPTLY REPLIED TO.
 

WE ARE FULLY EXPERIENCED AT SHIPPING WORLDWIDE AND NO EFFORT IS SPARED TO PROTECT
RECORDS AND COVERS ETC.  WE WELCOME BIDDERS FROM ANY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

ALL RECORDS ARE REMOVED FROM THEIR SLEEVES AND PLACED INTO NEW PROTECTIVE CARD
SLEEVES AND THEN PLACED INTO NEW, HEAVYWEIGHT PLASTIC OUTER SLEEVES.
THE GREATEST ATTENTION IS PAID TO MAKING THE PACKAGING EXTREMELY STRONG & SECURE.
EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT IS MADE TO ENSURE A SAFE DELIVERY AND WE ONLY USE THE VERY BEST
QUALITY PACKAGING MATERIALS, THE COST OF THE ITEM IS IMMATERIAL, EVERY RECORD IS
TREATED EXACTLY THE SAME.

WE DO NOT TREAT POSTAGE AS A MONEY MAKING PROJECT, POSTAGE IS LESS THAN COST, USING
ONLY PROFESSIONALLY PACKED BOXES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PROTECTIVE PACKAGING THAT DOES
WEIGH A LITTLE EXTRA.

UNDER PAYPAL & EBAY'S GUIDELINES, ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA A FULLY INSURED TRACKABLE
SERVICE.


We have kept all our charges at the same level for years now, but due to the Post Office's new price increases, regretfully we
will have to increase the cost of LP's, however, singles will remain unchanged.  Ebay were aware of that happening and have
  increased their minimum postal cost for LP's to £7.00, that figure has been enforced by the UK Post Office and it will become
our UK First Class, Recorded Delivery cost for albums up to the value of £46.  

For LP's valued above £46, the cost will be £9, we are unhappy about either increase but our high standard of packaging has meant
in 12 years of ebay trading, there has not been one record damaged, we are determined to maintain that in the present and future.

IN THE UK RECORDS UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 WILL BE SENT RECORDED DELIVERY, OVER £46 WILL BE
SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY.
  FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD ALL RECORDS WILL BE SENT VIA 'INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR.'

POSTAGE  COST FOR LP's
UK: UP TO VALUE OF £46, FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY  £7.00
UK: OVER VALUE OF £46, FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £9.00


EUROPE: FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR  £15.00


USA,JAPAN & REST OF THE WORLD FULLY INSURED VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £20.00


POSTAGE COST FOR EP's & 7"
UK: UP TO THE VALUE OF £46 FIRST CLASS RECORDED DELIVERY £3.00
UK: OVER THE VALUE OF £46 FULLY INSURED SPECIAL DELIVERY £6.00
EUROPE: AIR MAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £10.00
USA, JAPAN ETC. AIRMAIL VIA INTERNATIONAL SIGNED FOR £12.00


PAYMENT DETAILS.

WE WILL SEND ALL WINNING BIDDERS AN INVOICE WITH THE FULL PAYMENT AND POSTAL DETAILS,
AS NEAR TO THE AUCTION ENDING AS POSSIBLE.

OUR AIM IS TO MAKE YOUR PURCHASE SMOOTH AND TROUBLE FREE.


FOR UK BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, CHEQUES, POSTAL ORDERS & BANK WIRES.


FOR OVERSEAS BUYERS;

WE ACCEPT:  PAYPAL, INTERNATIONAL MONEY ORDERS IN POUNDS STERLING ONLY.
OR BANK TO BANK WIRE TRANSFERS.

WE WILL NOT MAKE FALSE STATEMENTS ON CUSTOMS DECLARATION FORMS AND WILL ALWAYS
CONDUCT ALL OF OUR BUSINESS WITH TOTAL HONESTY.
AS MUCH AS WE SYMPATHISE WITH THE WAY SOME COUNTRIES CHARGE SUCH HEAVY IMPORT
DUTIES, WE WILL NOT LIE.


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I don't charge my buyers extra!