ROLLING STONES (First) Beautiful N/M UK Decca Boxed LP

	£		56
	$		74

ONEADAYRECORDS – Delivering the Very Best Popular Music to the World

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Artist or Band: THE ROLLING STONES

Album Title: The Rolling Stones.

Producer(s): Andrew Loog Oldham.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Route 66; I Just Want to Make Love to You; Honest I do; I Need You Baby; Now I’ve Got a Witness; Little by Little.

Side 2: I’m a King Bee; Carol; Tell Me; Can I Get a Witness; You Can Make It If You Try; Walking the Dog.

Label/Format: Decca – Early boxed repress and scarcer small size format (Please see my label picture).

Label Conditions & Detail: Both immaculate: very clean, fresh and clearly barely even handled. Just a couple of ultra small and faint spindle traces seen under light. What a joy to see this gem looking almost like new.

Cat Number: LK 4605.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: A very impressive 143 grams. Although a later pressing from the early 70s, there is no diminishing in the Decca quality, this actually heavier than an unboxed I sold last year. [These days, many modern Audiophile reissues are pressed on super-heavyweight 180 gram vinyl. Only a small percentage of ‘vintage vinyl’ was ever pressed this heavy. Records pressed in the 1960s averaged around 140 to 150 grams. Records pressed in the 1970s were usually lighter and averaged more around 115 – 125 grams. Some records pressed around 1973 were very thin and light due an oil crisis and shortage around this time. Some records were even issued on recycled vinyl from this period and sounded poor with crackle and surface noise evident from the very first play. If any record I buy is deemed ‘recycled’, I will never offer it, I have a very simple test to detect these records if I suspect this to be the case other than audible imperfection. Some records from this period were even pressed on other materials the most notable was ‘Dynaflex’, used by RCA around this time. Although inferior to vinyl, this at least mostly sounded reasonably acceptable but pressings on this material were wafer thin and flimsy. Beyond the 70s, records often became thinner and lighter still but most played fine but were never quite the quality as from the ‘Golden Era’]. (This was based on ‘average’ weights for 20 records from these eras. Later pressings were usually lighter still).

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity: Moderate (in theory), Rolling Stones records, as we all know, sold very well. The difference is, the majority of early originals were played into submission on early mono record players, hence they are well worn or even trashed. Very popular at parties or loaned out to friends, most are not even worth a second look. All this makes for a strong case for a barely played 70s copy - same record, slightly different label design, the music and sound quality is just the same as Decca quality did not decline. The difference is, this has barely been played and never on vintage equipment. So the sound is practically pristine, to hear that lovely mono sound crisp, clear, sharp and focused with no groovewear and distortion is a joy from a vinyl record. Also, this one includes a -1A matrix and these are never easy. Simply, if you want a copy of this landmark Rolling Stones debut album that plays like when pressed without the huge expense of an unboxed copy, look no further. Remember too, most unboxed copies are not ‘first’ pressings anyway and most will sound terrible. especially when played on high-end stereo equipment. These boxed repressings dating from 1969 onwards in near mint condition are far from common.

Original Year of Release: 1964. This is an early 1970s pressing.

Matrix Nos: XARL 6271-1A / XARL 6272-4A

Brief Info: Debut album from rock’s most durable and evergreen band, the music dates way back to 1964 and most will know all about it. I prefer to concentrate more on its condition.

This Cover’s Potential for Wear: High: no matter their age, these Decca covers were made with fairly thin card and laminated with Clarifoil. An excellent recipe for major creasing and laminate lifting and blisters. Very rarely does one get seen that has escapes – well worth another look at this one. The backs are highly prone to grubbiness, creasing and toning, this has littl.

Cover Grade and Format: Critically graded EX++. A single format with a Clarifoil laminated front that wraps around the spine on to the back, just the same as the earlier examples. The top and bottom edges are also protected. Printed and made in England by MacNeill Press.

Lamination & Front: This looks practically as made: the only blemishing (from manufacture) is mild ‘mottle’, a term I use for tiny air bots within the laminate adhesion. Here, a couple of minor ‘adhesion’ lines show, NOT lifting or crinkle, but a dull ‘line’ beneath the laminate from the machine that applied it. A natural occurrence and has little to know impact on the gorgeous front that has to be said is exceptional. Still ultra clean and fresh and looking almost factory-fresh. Any creasing barely even registers, just one very small and faint half moon on Jagger’s shoulder. Immensely shiny and clear, the ‘mottle’ actually adds character, the darkness of the artwork is superb and the lack of any lifting is fantastic news for the more discerning collector. So often Clarifoil tightens and lifts forming often large blisters which always spoils any cover to some degree – especially the dark ones. With no friction rubs or dulling and any marks minuscule, this classic front will take a huge amount of beating.

Cover Back: The exposed back with large areas of white is always vulnerable to grubbiness and ageing, this has little. A minor record impression near the top but any grubbiness barely even registers and this has a lovely clean look. Even the laminate is clean with no grime line formation, any marks are few and faint as are any creases. This too will prove hard to find much better.

Top & Bottom Edges: The top has an ultra fine, tiny and faint surface crack (but look very hard), that apart, no wear. The bottom is near pristine.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, very sharp with no wear or feathering (and guaranteed, untrimmed). Record enters on this fragile edge. Again few will look better than this, the difference when cover protected is clear to see.

Spine and Text: Again in fantastic condition. Rarely do these slightly flimsy covers survive with such neat and little worn spines. Very solid, straight and incredibly, uncompressed, the ends nipped in manufacture. All text is perfect and unworn under the solid, clear and shiny laminate. No yellowing and still super-smooth to fingertips with no grazing at all.

Corners: Odd minor tip semi-crease and odd minor rub trace, but all all retain super shape and definition.

Cover Summary: A very strong all round example of this very fragile cover, one that will prove very difficult to find much better. This was a very popular album throughout the 60s and 70s and few will show much less evidence of use and handling. That shine, clarity, lacking of blistering and significant creasing on the front is a joy to view. This beautiful item should please most collectors.

The Inner: This comes with its original red mono, polylined inner in super EX++ condition. Very clean with minimal traces of grubbiness or ageing. The window is immaculate with a clear lining. Barely any noteworthy creases and no edge splits (or repairs). The lack glue darkening on the seams is unusual and this adds a high degree of freshness to what is already a super-clean set. It is British patented and has Foreign patents pending text.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: A superb Mint(-) and a truly beautiful example – even unboxed copies of this will seldom be seen better, the original owner said he was sure he only played it once, and I would not argue for a second. A superb visual copy that is super clean, shiny, intense black and heavily pressed. Even practically devoid of surface traces, this really does remind of a newly purchased record. Just compare this to the typical ones usually seen or offered. Often with mazes of marks, deep penetrating scratches and ugly fingermarks. Chalk and cheese, this has nothing even remotely like that – I won’t touch, buy or offer such rubbish. These types have had their day and those that survive like this and play to the highest possible standards are the ones I want to offer. As I have said, Rollings Stones records are not that hard to find, but top copies are a different story whether boxed or unboxed, it’s sound quality that’s of paramount concern for me. A copy barely even run-in in vinyl terms, reitterated by the owner. Visually a super record that should please all collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippetts or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or miniscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This fantastic record plays even above its high visual grading with nothing to fault. Strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a full dynamic range and detailed sound. Although hardly a hi-fi masterpiece this has a lovely raw production that was just perfect for its vintage and will rarely be heard cleaner or better than this from a vinyl record. No surface sounds, clipping or crackle and no pops or clicks were noted and this is an exceptional clean pressing (as you would expect from Decca). The sound remains fully focused and sharp and via my LP12 and Rondo Red moving coil, I swear I heard details unnoticed previously, few ever will sound this good especially when played on highly revealing equipment. Remember, this record was not really designed to be played on clinical stereo equipment. That said, this was a mono only album, so the owner’s had no choice for this one. No heavyweight tracking, thick heavy stylus have ruined this one, the advantages of a later pressing. The owner insisted it was never played on a mono record player and judging by looks and sound, a tone-cold fact. Few copies will even match this copy I feel sure, remember this is a record still approaching forty years old (or may even be there), hardly a spring chicken in vinyl terms for sure. Both channels are clean and sharp (often mono records play quietly though one channel only for the other to be noisy), this caused by badly aligned or chipped pick-ups. Clearly well stored and carefully handled, I feel sure this has not even seen daylight for decades. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record, it will remind many of what this title once sounded like when first purchased. This copy will prove nigh-on impossible to find better and can be strongly recommended. If sound is paramount over label design and issue day, this will delight.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean its good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with QED Silver terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional Moth vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too.

First-time, zero-rated bidders, who do not ask permission to bid, will be cancelled immediately and blocked – NO exceptions. For winning bidders who I consider excessively slow to make contact or submit payment, I will use my right to block future bids. If any bidder who wins in the final seconds is present to do so, surely they can at least email me to inform of intention and payment method? If swift or promp payment is a problem, please do not bid.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET - PLEASE SEE MY TYPICAL PACKING BOX PICTURE.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my Moth Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional thick boxes (NOT Mailers or Cruciforms, these do not offer maximum protection). The record(s) REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with THREE or EVEN FOUR ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. The thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. Please see my picture of a typical finished box packet that will now be used on ALL transactions as from now. I do not profit on posting and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. These boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffners and bubble wrap make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is less than one in two thousand based on over 6,000+ items sold in over 8 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Even one of these stiffners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 3 or 4 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FOUR records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). I will not respond to questions on shipping costs as all the details are included here and on ALL of my adverts. Details below:

NOTE: First Time Bidders: I will cancel ALL first-time bidders with no feedbacks or excessive negatives who do not ask me if its OK to bid first – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Please Note: I will now offer any item to the runner-up after the mandatory Ebay 3 days if no contact is made by the winning bidder unless prior notice of any delay is given beforehand. The same applies if no payment is received within the mandatory 7 days so any bidder who has just lost out can still email me to reserve the item as priority second chance – it’s always worth asking.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£40 maximum]) = £9. (insurance optional extra £3). Add £2.50 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£39 maximum]) = £13. Add £4 per extra LP. (insurance optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: Please do not bid if you have negative feedback unless checking first, I will cancel any bids I feel are timewasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT neccessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.