THE ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, MINT- 1971 UK RSR COC A3/B3 1st ISSUE

	£		142
	$		188

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It's my pleasure to offer for auction an exceptional MINT- copy of the studio blues/rock album by the Rolling Stones titled "Sticky Fingers", Catalogue Number COC 59100. It's a 1971 UK stereo first issue on the Rolling Stones Records Record Label, with an Andy Warhol-designed zip sleeve. It comes complete with the original picture/credits insert, printed in England by Richard Davis Ltd. and the correct plain white inner sleeve. [The sleeve is the earliest possible UK design with the standard size zip pull. The large "PAN" zip pull sleeves were all made in Germany despite the occasional Ebay seller trying to tell you otherwise! The stamped matrix numbers are COC 59100 A3 and COC 59100 B3, which are the lowest numbers for this pressing. "T.M.L. ROLLING STONES RECORDS" is etched in the run-outs of both sides].

The sleeve is in EX+ condition with only the lightest signs of wear and no creases of any significance. Amazingly there are no creases whatsoever around the belt buckle/flap area. There are a few of the usual impression type marks as a result of being packaged tightly against other zip sleeves during the original packaging and distribution - but these are minor. It's a stunning example of this iconic sleeve which will be almost impossible to match. I've taken plenty of photos from all angles which hopefully show the outstanding condition.

The mid-weight 130g record is in MINT- condition. The yellow Rolling Stones Records labels are like new with just 1 or 2 faint spindle traces each side. There is no wear to the spindle hole. I've owned this album for 35 years and can confirm that the record has only been played 3 times from new - once by the original purchaser and twice by me. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. It is well documented that many pressings of Sticky Fingers suffered from quality issues due to the over-use of mother stampers, which resulted in endless pops and unwanted surface sound which was inherent in the pressings. Fortunately this particular copy does not exhibit any of these problems. There are no loud pops, repeat ticks, distortion, hiss or anything else. It really is a top-playing copy. The sound quality is truly outstanding - very clear and dynamic with great bass. I can confidently state that this is as close to a perfect-playing copy of Sticky Fingers as you are ever likely to find.

The picture/credits insert is in unmarked MINT- condition. This is made from thick card unlike thinner paper re-issues.

The plain white inner sleeve is also in unmarked MINT- condition.

Overall this is a stunning and complete first issue of argubly The Stones finest album: EX+ Andy Warhol zip sleeve, MINT- record which plays flawlessly, MINT- picture insert and MINT- inner sleeve. If you are looking for the very best copy available - look no further!

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 - £14.60

Worldwide - £18.50