The Rolling Stones : The Rolling Stones 2A/4A Very Early Pressing with 'Mona' credit

This final upgrade mono album plays with stunning clarity and depth and there are no clicks or pops!  The playback is so 'clean' and is definitely the best 'Mona' early pressing I have heard.

This LP on the grooved red Decca label has the correct 4.06 version of 'Tell Me' but rarely has the incorrect 'Mona' credit on both the label and the cover.  So often you will find one without the other such was random nature of the packaging in the factory!  This is in fact the first cover that was produced although the error was soon noticed and another batch made.  There are a number of 'errors' on this first press cover and all the info can easily be found on the stonesondecca site.

This 'Mona' cover is one of the most impressive I have seen.  There is only minimal shelf wear and it has been very well preserved over the last 56 years.  The original inner is also in superb condition.

LK 4605 // XARL - 6271 - 2A // XARL - 6272 - 4A // CH 1 / C 1

The audio on S1 is Mint- (Tracks 3 & 6 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (Tracks 1 & 6 Near Mint)

The cover is Ex-

The labels are Near Mint

The inner sleeve is Near Mint-

Visual grading

For a record of this age the visual 'look' is stunning!  It has an immaculate glossy sheen and has been incredibly well looked after down the years.  There are no scratches or marks and only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  In all honesty you could not wish to find a better copy and at first glance you would be mistaken for thinking it was a more recent pressing.  I cannot emphasise enough just how beautifully clean this record is!  There is some spindle wear although not a great deal and this is not a record that has been overplayed.  The run out grooves and grooved red Decca labels are also in lovely condition with no marking.

Play grading  

'Route 66' plays with stunning clarity from start to finish and has no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  A superb version.

'I Just Wanna Make Love To You' is of the same standard and plays with great power and no distortion.  The fade out has no 'background' giving you an idea of the superb clarity on offer here.  The opening two tracks grade as Mint- I am confident in saying.

'Honest I Do' is very similar and has only the lightest of background static here and there and I do mean light!  In no way is it intrusive and Near Mint is easily deserved.

The intro on 'Mona / I Need You Baby' is faultless and it continues to play with sublime definition.  There is no interference and this is up there with the best I have ever heard, the playback is absolutely stunning plus the fade out is again immaculate.  Essentially this is Mint with only a minus added because it isn't sealed!

The classic 'Now I've Got A Witness' is again Mint from the opening note to the last.  On a super 'clean' record such as this the depth of the bass shines through on this track and the sonic quality is here is just so strong.  And what a fade out!

'Little By Little' ends the side with wonderful quality once more.  There is just a minor touch of distortion but what final track doesn't have this?  Let alone a mono one being played through a stereo set up!  It still plays with great distinction and again there is no 'background' with not one single click or pop etc.  Near Mint for sure.

----------------------------------------------------------

'I'm A King Bee' on S2 plays superbly from the first groove.  With only a minor hint of barely audible static this is a very strong version and grades as Near Mint although I am sure many would grade higher...if they listened to it!

For such a 'high octane' number 'Carol' plays with great clarity and power.  This can be turned up to loud without fear of distortion.  The clarity on the long fade out provides another of a vinyl so well preserved down the years.  Mint- again.

The quiet intro on 'Tell Me' is 'as new' I am delighted to say and it continues to impress as the volume increases.  This is a 'high end' version and...no interference.  There are a number of very quiet sections and yet they all play to the same standard.  Mint-.

'Can I Get A Witness' and 'You Can Make It If You Try' have no interference and both play with real quality and again not one single click or pop.  Mint- is deserved once more.

'Walking The Dog' ends the album with wonderful quality and whilst there is a little inner groove distortion there is so much less than usual!  This all points to a vinyl that has not been overplayed and the clarity on this final track really is very impressive.  It is another stunning Near Mint track but am I underselling it?!

In summary this FINAL UPGRADE mega early pressing plays to a fantastic standard and I honestly cannot remember when I heard a true 'Mona' press play with such finesse, clarity and definition.  For a 56 year old record to have no interference is such a rarity and I repeat there are no clicks or pops!  There is also no intrusive static or crackle and the clarity on this recording is just phenomenal.  A beautifully preserved record with a very clean cover also.  A stunning find.

The Cover

This rare 'MacNeill' cover with the 'Mona' credit is probably the cleanest version I have ever seen.  It does have some shelf wear but it is certainly not badly damaged like so many you see.  The edges are in superb order with no rubbing and the thin pinched spine is in similar condition with only a couple of tiny crease lines and remains 100% legible.  The corners of the spine have barely any wear and the same applies to the one top right.  The bottom right is clean but does have one very small split.  The opening edge is also in fine condition with hardly any handling wear.  The laminated front cover is fully intact and has only a small number of creases.  There is one top left which is a little more obvious but it has stood the test of the time very well.  The back cover which of course is not laminated does have some fading and a couple of minor marks plus a little ringwear but again has 'survived' the last 56 years very well in my opinion!  The flipbacks are very clean with only a couple of minor creases.  Overall this is an excellent example of this iconic cover and it would be difficult to find better.

Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined 'Patents Pending' inner is in superb condition with no side splits or tears and no age related fading.  There is hardly any creasing either.  A fantastic example!

The Labels

The grooved red Decca labels are in lovely condition with no marking or writing and they have lost none of their deep original colour.  There is some spindle wear but not an excessive amount.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

LK 4605 // XARL - 6271 - 2A // XARL - 6272 - 4A // CH 1 / C 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.45 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £8.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £5.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £12.45 then £2.50 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £6.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!