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What Would You Do with a Sealed, 1st Press Miles Davis "Kind of Blue"?

This LP is still sealed in the original clear plastic inner sleeve (just one tiny 1/8" circular spot of mold on one track).  The LP cover has clearly seen shelf life making it say VG.   I am curious about what would you do please?  Open and play or sell to buy other records or?  All thoughts and suggestions are much appreciated - thank you 😉
128x128vinylfun
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
let’s define some terms here.

you have the record, the inner sleeve, the outer jacket, and the plastic cover for the outer jacket.

the inner sleeve is not sealed on an original pressing. it’s open on one side. if it is sealed then you have a re-issue; and there were dozens, maybe hundreds of separate re-issues of various levels of performance for KOB. most of very limited value and very common.

to be viewed as a sealed original pressing; it would have to have the outer plastic cover be completely sealed and never opened. then you would have to satisfy all the other ’tells’ for an original pressing. which are many.

google is your friend; lots of info out there on 6 eye Columbia Kind of Blue original pressings. and then there are the mono versions too. and the white label promo pressings (most desirable of the early pressings). good luck on your research.

the best sounding KOB is the earliest 4 disc single sided Classic Records 45rpm re-issue. it has the corrected speed and is a fantastic transfer. that one will cost you $500 if you can find it. and it does not matter if it’s sealed.
tablejockey
3,892 posts
 
"sealed original plastic inner sleeve"

Im not certain, but a 1959 mono/stereo release would come in a paper sleeve?

You've done your homework-CL 1355 (mono) or CS 8163?


bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

Columbia Records in the early-60’s had an inner sleeve of very soft, very thin, limp plastic. It was a bag rounded on one side (following the curve of the LP), and perforated on the opposite. One had to rip open the bag liner along the perforation to unseal the LP.

I know this because my mother’s Ring Of Fire: The Best Of Johnny Cash LP was exactly so. I assume the outer cover was also shrink wrap sealed when it left the factory, so the OP’s LP is in one sense still sealed, the other way opened.

tablejockey
3,892 posts
 
bpd24 is correct on inner sleeve. I’m confusing record lables!

It’s that flimsy film type.

As far as what to do with it...Unless you're not into MD, open it up an enjoy it. 
What's the point in owning any material thing, and not enjoy it.

I'm always on the lookout for a good period mono.
One of these days.

vinylfun's avatar
vinylfun OP
33 posts
 
Had time to further confirm this is a first press, mono, from all the following together:

- LP labels are the Iconic red and black 'six eye' Columbia label and "CL 1355."
- Matrices run-outs are stamped "XLP47324-1D" (side 1) and "XLP47325-1AD" (side 2).
- LP label, side 2 lists tracks as "All Blues" then "Flamenco Sketches."
- LP is in a limp, clear plastic inner sleeve, rounded on three sides, plus one side straight.
- LP cover, back, has Cannonball Adderley's name misspelt as "Adderly."
- LP cover, back, lists "Flamenco Sketches" then "All Blues (so opposite order of the label).

There may be other tell signs for a first press, so thank you in advance.
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