THE ROLLING STONES Aftermath 1st Mono PRESS RARE EX Shadow COVER & Strong AUDIO
  £   377
  $   499

 


£ 377 Sold For
Nov 23, 2025 Sold Date
Nov 13, 2025 Start Date
18   Number Of Bids
  Great Britain Country Of Seller
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Description

I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.
The Rolling Stones : Aftermath 6B / 6A 1st Press Rare 'Purple Shadow' Cover 1966
This first mono pressing is obviously mainly collectable for the rare 'Shadow' cover and it remains in excellent condition with only a little wear mainly a fade section near the bottom edge.  I don't think it's a major issue and the rest of it is very clean indeed - it's not often you find the back cover, especially on a 'Shadow' one, as impressive as this.
As for the audio it's a game of two halves in a way.  S1 does have some static here and there but there are only four static type clicks.  A number of tracks do play to an Ex standard although 'Goin' Home' does play with a little more static.  As for the S2 the playback is very impressive.  I've had this before on a Stones early mono press where both sides are visually the same but one side plays much better for some reason.  So yes the clarity, depth and power of the audio on this side is superb and there is only very minimal intrusion.
I'm not entirely sure if this is the original inner sleeve but it is certainly one the Stones used in the early days.  It is in excellent order with some creasing only, no marking.
LK 4786  //  XARL-7209-6B   KU 1   ---   XARL-7210-6A   HH 1
The audio on S1 mainly ranges between Ex and Ex+ (T3 VG+ and Ex / T6 VG and VG+)
The audio on S2 is Ex+ (T1 Ex / T2 & T4 Near Mint / T5 VG Intro then Ex)   The Purple Shadow cover is Ex   The poly-lined inner sleeve is Ex
The grooved Decca labels are Ex++
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has a strong glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can only see a small number of small faint hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  It's surprising in a way that S1 doesn't play better!  The grooved red Decca labels are in superb shape with only some spindle wear.
Play Grading
The first vocal brief vocal on 'Mother's Little Helper' plays very clearly with barely any intrusion and the following instrumental is the same.  The first verse then plays with great clarity and there is only a minimal amount of very light background static, you hardly notice it.  It continues in a very similar way and overall the clarity of sound is very impressive.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and Ex+ is fair, some would say higher.
'Stupid Girl' is of the same standard with minimal background static every now and then.  Again it is so quiet and non-intrusive and the vocal and music still comes through very clearly.  There is no other background.  Ex+
The intro on the classic 'Lady Jane' does have a little more static and a couple of light static clicks.  Jagger's opening vocal section is relatively clean with only light static and there is nothing that stands out.  Superb work on the dulcimer and harpsichord of course!  In fact the mid instrumental plays with great clarity and the closing vocal is pretty much perfect.  I would say this ranges between VG+ and Ex
'Under My Thumb' plays with very strong, clear audio from start to finish.  Wyman's deep bass adds great depth and there are no ticks, clicks or pops.  Some light background static here and there but nothing intrusive.  I'll say Ex
'Doncha Bother Me' is equal to that with some ubiquitous light static in the background again.  No 'muddiness' to the sound and no distortion either.  Ex
The intro and opening vocal section 'Goin' Home' have some light static and around 1.30 there are a couple of static clicks, not loud though.  The next vocal section plays with greater clarity and this 'jam' continues in much the same way, up to and including the louder vocal passage around 5 minutes.  The following quieter section has only some light static and the remainder plays in a similar way.  There are no clicks or pops but that light static is generally present and there is just a touch of inner groove distortion on some (some) of the louder 'moments'.  Not a perfect rendition but as stated there are only two static click type sounds and the only other thing to contend with is some is the static.  Overall it ranges between VG and VG+
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The quiet piano intro on 'Flight 505' plays with hardly any background, the clarity is very impressive.  Jagger's opening vocal is strong with that usual 'raw' quality and has only a very minor distorted sound, nothing intrusive.  Remember this is a mono record being played through as stereo system.  The mid instrumental is superb and the rest of the track is very strong also.  Ex
'High And Dry' plays with genuine quality.  From the intro and then through every vocal and instrumental section the clarity and depth of the audio can hardly be faulted.  A Near Mint version.
The unmistakeable sound of the intro on 'Out Of Time' plays with sublime clarity and the opening vocal is much the same way.  It continues to play with very strong, clear audio and there is no intrusion.  Perhaps a hint of very light static here and there but it is so quiet and hardly noticeable.  I will say Ex+ although that could be considered a little harsh.
'It's Not Easy' has barely any static on the intro and the first vocal section is faultless.  This standard is maintained as it progresses - no intrusion just that typical raw Stones sound.  It's a powerful version and there is no distortion on the top end.  Near Mint
The quiet intro on 'I Am Waiting' has a little crackle and the opening vocal is close to perfect with only a couple of very minor ticks.  The following chorus is strong and deep, 'as new' basically.  The next verse plays so clearly with barely any background.  There is a little light static for a few seconds during the quieter end vocal but concludes with great clarity.  A VG intro and Ex at least from then onwards.
'Take It Or Leave It' plays with sublime quality and barely any intrusion.  Pretty good for a near 60 year old vinyl!  A couple of minor statics but no clicks or pops and is Ex+ at the very least.
'Think' plays with strong audio but the playback is perhaps not quite as clear as the other tracks.  Don't take that as a negative as it's common on mono records from the 60s as you get closer to the end.  However, there are no clicks or pops and barely any static and a strong Ex+ is deserved.
The final track 'What To Do' is similar.  No actual interference, just a very minor 'muffled' sound that really isn't intrusive.  I do think I judge too harshly sometimes because the audio is still strong and clear and Ex+ is still a fair assessment of the audio.
The Shadow Cover & Inner Sleeve
The rare Purple Shadow cover is in excellent condition with only a little wear.  The edges are in superb shape and the thin pinched spine is very clean and has only three 'crease' marks.  The corners have only very minimal wear and the opening edge is again clean with very little handling wear.  The all important front cover is very impressive overall.  There is some minor 'laminate' creasing near the right side and some minor marking next to the right edge.  The 'purple' aspect is strong and vivid but just below that there is a section that looks faded.  There are a couple of laminate 'nicks' by the bottom edge so maybe being open to the air has caused it.  However, it's not a major issue in my opinion.  The back cover is of course not laminated and hopefully the photos do it justice because it is still very clean with hardly any marking and rarely no writing!  There are only a handful of minor 'spots' and minimal fading around the edges, very minimal!  A small number of edge creases next to the spine which can also be seen on the front.  All in all a very strong example of this rare cover that is not often found in this condition today.
The poly-lined inner sleeve remains in excellent condition with no side splits, tears or marking.  The only wear really is some creasing in the corners.
LK 4786  //  XARL-7209-6B   KU 1   ---   XARL-7210-6A   HH 1
Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT VM-95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers
This record has been professionally cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine
  I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.


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