THE ROLLING STONES, LET IT BLEED, 1969 UK UNBOXED DECCA STEREO 1st PRESS

	£		85
	$		113

<div style="text-align:center"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/java.gif" border="0"><br><table align="center"><tr><td><a style="text-decoration:none" href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/betsy50" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/sw/images.gif" border="0"></a></td><td height="27px" valign="middle" align="center"><font face="arial" size="2"><b><a href="http://emporium.auctiva.com/betsy50" target="_blank">betsy50</a> Store</b></font></td></tr></table></div>
<img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/web/aswCredit.gif" border="0"><br><a href="http://www.auctiva.com/?how=scLnk0" target="_blank"><img src="http://ti2.auctiva.com/images/sc1line0.gif" border="0"></a>

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a superb copy of the iconic studio blues rock album by The Rolling Stones titled "Let It Bleed", Catalogue Number SKL 5025. It's a 1969 UK stereo first issue on the unboxed Decca Record Label, with an Upton Printing Group front-laminated sleeve with the "ROLLING STONES POSTER" sticker on the front cover. It comes with the correct first issue blue and white inner sleeve which has the "Madelaine Bell" credit for You Can't Always Get What You Want. This credit is blacked out on all but the first issues. Unfortunately the poster is not included, but these are fairly easy to come by. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design for this album with the mono/stereo peephole in the top right corner of the back cover. The record matrix numbers are XZAL-9363.P-3W and XZAL-9364-P-6W].

The sleeve is in EX+ condition with virtually no wear or creases of any significance. With the exception of a few small impression marks on the back cover caused by pressing against the zip pull of a Sticky Fingers sleeve in the storage unit, it's a near perfect example of this iconic sleeve. I have taken plenty of photos which hopefully show the outstanding condition.

The solidly-pressed 150g record is in EX condition. The blue and silver unboxed Decca labels are unmarked with 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 received a modest number of careful plays. Both sides play excellently throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is clear and dynamic with lots of wonderful guitar effects. It really is a very clean-playing copy indeed. With the exception of some transient surface sound which is only audible for a few revolutions at the end of "Country Honk", playback is faultless. I think that it will be very difficult to find another first issue copy which plays to such a high standard.

The blue and white inner sleeve is in unmarked EX condition. It has a few creases, but no splits or tears.

Overall this is a superb copy of arguably The Stones' finest album from their 1968-72 golden 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 linear-tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-30 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 - £10.00

Worldwide - £15.00