ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, 1971 UK COC 1st ISSUE

	£		51
	$		68

betsy50 store

By the time The Rolling Stones released Sticky Fingers in 1971, there had been a two year gap since their previous studio album. This was the first LP released on the Rolling Stones Label, and expectations were high that Sticky Fingers would be a big seller. Consequently the 1971 album was produced in large numbers. Many of the pressings during that year were of poor quality, the result of over-use of worn mother stampers, which produced sub-standard records badly affected by crackle and pops. The matrix numbers of the 1971 pressings were quite random and can not be relied upon to date the order of the pressing, or indeed the quality of the pressing. I have owned several copies of Sticky Fingers over the years, at least three of which appeared to be in mint condition, with only a handful of plays on quality decks – but were virtually unlistenable due to excessive crackle and pops!!

The copy for auction here is a top quality pressing, pressed with barely any surface sound at all.

Here for auction is a very early example of the iconic album by THE ROLLING STONES titled “STICKY FINGERS”, Catalogue Number COC 59100. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK PRESSING on the ROLLING STONES RECORDS LABEL, with A4/B3 Matrix Numbers and “T.M.L. Rolling Stones Records” etched in the run-outs of each side. What makes this copy so special is that it comes with the large “PAN” zip on the Andy Warhol designed sleeve. [The large PAN zips were hastily replaced by zips with smaller zip pulls as a result of damage to the sleeves and records during the initial packaging and distribution – so this is definitely a very early pressing]. The package comes complete with the correct 1st issue thick card Photo/Credits insert.

The single un-laminated zip sleeve is in VG+ condition (strictly graded) with just light wear and minor creasing. There is some creasing to the small flap above the belt buckle. The front and back covers are unmarked apart from a few minor indentations caused by the zips on neighbouring LPs during the initial packaging. The large PAN zip is fully functional. You can see from the photos that this is a very presentable example of this rarest variant of the Sticky Fingers sleeves.

The record is very solid and inflexible [unlike later pressings which are much flimsier and very bendy]. It retains it’s ‘just pressed’ shine and sits flat and true on the turntable. Visually both sides are in EX+/MINT- condition with only a few very light sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are of course purely superficial and do not cause any audio problems whatsoever. The yellow RSR labels are unmarked with just a couple of very faint spindle traces each side. There is no wear around the spindle hole. I am confident that the record has hardly been played.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

If you are looking for that elusive top quality pressing of Sticky Fingers – look no further! Both sides play without fault. All frequencies are crystal clear and there is no discernable deterioration in sound quality. Lead-in and linking grooves play with near silence. The quiet introductions and passages in ‘Wild Horses’, ‘You Gotta Move’, ‘I Got The Blues’, ‘Sister Morphine’ and ‘Moonlight Mile’ all play perfectly. There are no pops or loud clicks, and barely any unwanted noise at all (just occasional very light surface sound which is never intrusive and only mentioned for complete accuracy). You simply will not find a significantly better-playing original copy of this seminal album - I guarantee it!

The 1st issue thick card Photo/Credits Insert is in EX condition apart from a short 1cm tear to the top edge. “Printed in England by Richard Davis” text is printed at the bottom.

Complete with the plain white inner sleeve which is in EX condition.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys 2 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My gradings are 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 which do not sound, and barely any discernable 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. Still a very presentable sleeve.

PACKAGING & POSTAGE

Records are sent out in new “Wrapro” record mailers. These are rectangular and strong, providing excellent protection to the edges and corners. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

Due to PayPal’s Buyer Protection Policy, LPs posted outside of the UK (paid for by PayPal) will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance   

Europe up to £39 value - £8.95

Europe over £39 value - £11.15

Worldwide up to £39 value - £12.45

Worldwide over £39 value - £14.65

A postage discount will be given for multiple LPs.

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £39. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include a Special Delivery Next Day insurance option.