ROLLING STONES STICKY FINGERS SUPERB 1971 UK COC TRUE 1st PRESS NO PROMOTONE

ROLLING STONES STICKY FINGERS SUPERB 1971 UK COC TRUE 1st PRESS NO PROMOTONE

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During this time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet.

On offer here is a magnificent copy of The Rolling Stones' iconic studio alblum titled "Sticky Fingers", Catalogue Number COC 59100. It's a 1971 UK stereo first pressing on the Rolling Stones Records Label, with the UK first issue Andy Warhol designed zip sleeve. It comes complete with the original photo/credits insert, printed in England by Richard Davis Ltd.

It's important to set out what makes a UK first issue of Sticky Fingers as there is a lot of incorrect information out there which seems to be accepted as fact:
Firstly the UK first issue sleeves have small zip pulls. The big PAN zip pulls came on German made sleeves which are identical to the UK-made sleeves except for the big zip pull and a tiny line of text near the bottom of the spine stating "Printed in Germany". This text is very small and is often rubbed off during storage or otherwise removed. The big zip German sleeves contained UK first press records by the way. I've owned several big zip sleeves over the years and all had the "Printed in Germany" text described above.
Secondly UK first press record labels do not have "A PROMOTONE N.V. RECORD" text. The Promotone Company was not founded until September 1971 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, several months after the release of Sticky Fingers in April of that year.
Thirdly A3, B3, A4 and B4 in any combination are all first press matrix numbers.
It is well documented that first pressings of Sticky Fingers suffered badly from inherent pops and tics due to quality control issues and the over-use of mother stampers. I can vouch for this as I have owned many copies over the years and have yet to find a true first pressing which plays with a background of near silence. The example offered for sale here, however, is much better than most in this respect.

Now that I've got that out of the way:

The sleeve is the earliest UK design with a small zip pull. The record matrix numbers are COC-59100-A4 and COC-59100-B4. "T.M.L. ROLLING STONES RECORDS" is etched in the run-outs of both sides. The record labels are the earliest design with no "A PROMOTONE N.V. RECORD" text. The photo/credits insert is made from thick card unlike later re-issues.

The gatefold sleeve is in EX condition with just very light signs of wear and a few minor creases. It has the first issue small zip pull. The front and back covers are unmarked with only a couple of small indentation marks probably caused by the zip pulls on adjacent sleeves during the initial distribution. The belt flap area has just a couple of tiny creases above the belt buckle. The spine (with pinched ends) is solid with just a small scuff to the "ROLLING" text. Overall it's an exceptional example of this iconic sleeve. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually I would grade it as being in VG+ condition with just a few wispy sleeve-removal type surface marks in addition to some light surface marks caused by pressure from the zip pull during storage (see close-up photos). Virtually every copy of Sticky Fingers will show some pressure marks of this type unless the record has always been stored outside of the zip sleeve. The pressure marks are mostly superficial although they do cause a few crackles during the lead-in to "Can't You Hear Me Knocking" on Side A and at the very end of "Sister Morphine" and the start of "Dead Flowers" on Side B. The yellow Rolling Stones Records labels are unmarked and show only a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. I can confirm that the record has only been played a few times. Both sides play excellently for the most part with no discernible deterioration in sound quality. There are a few random light tics but generally the inherent background noise in the pressing is minimal (for this record especially). I've listened to many different versions of Sticky Fingers and consider the original first press mix to be the best - it's raw and vibrant with great bass and just sounds great to my ears. You can keep the re-mastered re-issues!

The photo/credits insert, printed in England by Richard Davis Ltd. is in unmarked EX condition.

Overall this is a superb and complete first issue of arguably The Stones' most accomplished album from their golden 1968-72 period which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is 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 and virtually no discernible 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.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

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 - £14.50

Worldwide - £24.50