ROLLING STONES, BEGGARS BANQUET, 1968 UK DECCA 1st

	£		100
	$		133

betsy50 store

From my own personal collection I am pleased to offer an exceptional example of the brilliant studio album by THE ROLLING STONES titled “BEGGARS BANQUET”, Catalogue Number SKL 4955. This is an ORIGINAL 1968 UK STEREO 1st PRESSING on the BLUE UNBOXED DECCA RECORD LABEL, with a stunning 1st issue “Patents Pending” laminated GARROD & LOFTHOUSE gatefold sleeve. Complete with the original Decca poly-lined inner sleeve. [The matrix numbers are very early XZAL-8476-2K and XZAL-8477-1K].  

The sleeve is in a strong EX condition (strictly graded) with only very light wear and a few minor creases. This is the earliest possible stereo sleeve with “Patents Pending” text on the back cover. The front and back covers are unmarked and the opening gatefold spread is pristine. There is a bit of superficial laminate cracking on the spine – but this is only minor. Overall this is a beautifully preserved sleeve which should please most collectors.

The top quality Decca record is in EX+ condition. It’s a lovely solid and inflexible pressing which sits perfectly flat on the turntable. Both sides retain their original deep mirror-like shine and display only a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks under bright light. These are of course only superficial and of no audio significance whatsoever. The deep blue Decca labels are unmarked apart from some short spindle traces near the centres. The sound quality of these original stereo pressings is outstanding - very powerful and vibrant with wonderful bass tones. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernable deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence. Please don’t underestimate how difficult it is to find an original stereo copy of Beggars Banquet with faultless playback. I’m only letting this one go as I have recently managed to acquire another equally fine copy.

The correct white poly-lined Decca inner sleeve has no rips or splits – just a few creases and some age discoloration.

Overall this is a truly magnificent 1st press stereo copy of one of the Stones’ most desirable albums.    

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega P5 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example, with just a few very light surface marks which do not sound, and barely any discernable deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

PACKAGING        

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £9.95

Worldwide - £13.30