ROLLING STONES - THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST - rare 1967 1P/P1 1st MONO LP

	£		117
	$		155

THE ROLLING STONES - THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST

An increasingly rare and highly sought after copy of this 1967 UK 1st MONO press rock gem on the unboxed DECCA label, MONO TXL 103

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  ARL - 8126 - 1P with stampers "2 G" and "C" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively

Side 2  ARL - 8127 - P1 with stampers "2 D" and "H" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively (I think I've got the stampers correct - they are very hard to make out)

The "K T" tax codes are also present at 12 o'clock on each side of the dead wax areas, again symptomatic of a very 1st UK pressing

The appearance of the thick, heavy duty vinyl is excellent. Completely flat and when viewed in normal daylight still retaining a nice glossy sheen with just a few wispy hairlines in evidence. Under a brighter light there are more wispy hairlines and the occasional very light, small surface scuff.  These wispy hairlines are slightly more prevalent on side 1 and there are two that each span most of that side and are just visible when the record is tilted at the correct angle in normal daylight. But there is certainly nothing below the surface and nothing to detract from the overall impressive condition of this 52 year old gem. Overall I would grade the condition of the vinyl as VG+.

The labels are excellent. The only blemishes are a few very light spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each side and which are only really visible under a bright light. The turquoise background finish and silver writing remain as impressive as ever.

The front and back (but not centre) laminated  Robert Stace gatefold outer sleeve is excellent.  All edges remain firm with minimal scuffing and that includes the rigid spine where all writing remains perfectly legible. The iconic front and reverse side artwork and colouring remains completely intact with a vibrant appearance - very impressive. Each corner remains a nicely defined right angle with minimal scuffing which is a little more pronounced and noticeable on the top of the spine (see photo) - still a minor blemish, though. There is just a little light laminate creasing on the front side to the right of the 3D picture but it is not immediately obvious...I mention it nonetheless. The 3D picture itself remains in perfect condition. The centre of the gatefold is wonderful, with all artwork and colouring completely intact and no unwanted writing or doodles. There is just a little, mild scuffing on the bottom edge but nothing that is intrusive. The opening edges remain rigid with no feathering. Opening out the centrefold there is just the merest hint of a vertical buckle to the right of the maze but, again, this is minor and I believe caused by the pasted on front side 3D picture, and seems to be a common characteristic of these gatefolds. As a minimum I would grade the overall condition of the gatefold as an excellent minus. 

Finally, the quality of the audio is excellent. There is nice tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or clicks and just the hint of a little, very mild, background crackle at the beginning and end of each side and intermittently during some of the quieter moments and interludes. Again, nothing intrusive at all with every track making for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. sing this all together

2. citadel

3. in another land

4. 2000 man

5. sing this all together (see what happens)

Side 2 :

1. she's a rainbow

2. the lantern

3. gomper

4. 2000 light years from home

5. on with the show

Comes with original psychedelic red and white inner sleeve with no splits or tears and in overall excellent condition - amazing, since this is such a fragile inner which is notorious for splitting. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a solid VERY GOOD+ (most would class as "excellent", I am sure) copy of this rare and highly sought after 1967 UK very first mono pressing, capable of gracing any serious record collection and will only continue to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but I am now retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My only wish is that they go to good homes.

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class, tracked and signed for  : UK £5.00, continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £13. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler