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The Rolling Stones : Exile On Main St A2/B2/C1/D1 inc all Postcards

It doesn't get a lot better than this!  The audio quality across all four sides is absolutely stunning!  Having played every track in full as aI always do I can categorically say this is one of, if not the finest example of this classic album that I have ever listened to.  The clarity, depth and power of the audio is superb and I have only graded a couple of intros as Near Mint everything else is Mint!  Even those two intros have only the bare minimum of background, that's why they are still Near Mint!  Not surprisingly the vinyls are visually stunning and have clearly hardly been played as there is very little spindle wear plus the sonic quality confirms it also!  I cannot overstate just how well it plays, even the final track on each side has no inner groove distortion.  This is easily a FINAL UPGRADE archive album!

The iconic cover is in excellent condition with only minimal wear and the picture inners are 'as new'.  The often missing 12 original postcards are still connected and remain in perfect condition.  A stunning 'package' that has been so well preserved during its 50 year lifetime!

This is known as one of the first press variations.  The cover has no grey TM symbol and as stated on Discogs this may well be the earliest known cover printed.

COC 69100  A2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722507 (etched)

COC 69100  B2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722508 (etched)

COC 69100  C1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722509 (etched)

COC 69100  D1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722510 (etched)

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 intro Near Mint)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-) (T5 intro Near Mint)

The audio on S4 is Mint(-)

The cover is a very strong Ex

The 12 postcards are Mint

The picture inners are Mint-

The labels are Mint-

Visual description

The vinyls are in beautiful condition and retain an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under a strong light light I can only see a handful of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  They really are visually stunning to say the least and even after a good 'look' you would be forgiven for thinking they were 'as new'!  As stated they have hardly been played over the years and that is borne out by the audio quality and that there is only very minimal spindle wear on the labels.  The labels themselves are super clean with no marking / writing.

Play grading

You know you're onto a winner when you set the stylus down and the run in has no background!  'Rocks Off' then plays with a sonic quality that can only be described 'as new'.  There is no interference not even a dust tick and the power of the audio - wow!  It plays with incredible depth and that familiar raw Stones sound and the fade out has no background either.  A Mint start for sure.

'Rip This Joint' is just as powerful and again there is no distortion whatsoever.  Mint in every way.

'Shake Your Hips' plays with phenomenal clarity and definition from start to finish with no intrusion.  Ok one mega light tick on the intro and a couple of quiet ticks on the fade out but this is not interference!  So far this album is playing like it has never been on a turntable before, no exaggeration.  Mint-

With complete silence in the dead wax (again) the intro on 'Casino Boogie' has just one barely audible tick and then plays with sublime quality from then on.  It's the clarity of sound that really stands out - every vocal and instrumental section is STUNNING and the end instrumental in particular is breathtaking!  What a version.  Mint etc etc.

'Tumbling Dice' ends the side with outstanding audio and for once there is none of the inner groove distortion that you so often find, another sign that this vinyl has hardly been played!  A Mint finish to a side that just could not play with any greater precision.

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The acoustic intro on 'Sweet Virginia' plays so clearly with just one minor static tick.  A handful of barely audible dust ticks but these are so quiet and 100% non-intrusive.  It continues to play with impeccable quality and as per S1 there is no interference.  I will grade the intro as Near Mint but the remainder is Mint of that I have no doubt.

'Torn & Frayed' keeps up the high end standard and plays with faultless audio from the first note to the last.  Mint

Already I am running out of suitable adjectives in which to describe this album!  'Black Angel' is 'as new' with not one dust tick let alone anything more and the clarity and depth of the audio is just stunning.  Another Mint track.

The piano intro on 'Loving Cup' has no background and the opening vocal is just as clean'.  Again for a 'final track' the sonic quality is so impressive and there is a tremendous depth of sound helped so much by Wyman's deep bass.  Mint

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'Happy' is Mint from start to finish with...no interference.  As good a start to the side that you could wish for.

'Turd On The Run' provides further evidence of a vinyl so well preserved and plays with STUNNING clarity and power throughout.  This is a 'bust' track and yet the audio does not suffer in any way.  Mint

'Ventilator Blues' is of the same standard with no intrusion on the audio.  One barely audible tick on the intro but blink and you miss it!  From then on it cannot be faulted and the long fade out has no background either.  Mint

The segue into 'I Just Wanna See His Face' has not so much as a dust tick and thereafter plays with sublime clarity.  This is of course a relatively quiet track and yet the clarity is fantastic!  'As new' basically and Mint.  Probably the cleanest version I have ever heard. 

The quiet intro on 'Let It Loose' plays so clearly with only a couple of very light ticks and Jagger's opening vocal the same.  Quiet and totally non-intrusive I am just being 100% 'complete' with my grading as I list any background even if super quiet.  From then on it plays with exceptional quality with literally no intrusion on the audio.  The quietest track so far the clarity is amazing and if the intro is Near Mint then the rest has to grade as Mint such is quality.  A beautiful version.  Oh and no inner groove distortion once again.

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'All Down The Line' begins S4 in fine style with great clarity and depth throughout.  The original sonic quality is still there despite being such a powerful track and Mint is again deserved.

The entire intro on 'Stop Breaking Down' is flawless and this standard is maintained through every section.  The vocals are so clean and the instrumentation plays with superb definition also.  Honestly this just could not play any better.  Another STUNNING track than I can only grade as Mint - a superb listen!

The quiet intro on 'Shine A Light' plays perfectly with not one dust tick, the clarity is spectacular!  It continues to play with a quality that is second to none.  The most 'complete' version I have ever listened to, like all the other tracks it could be said!  I cannot overstate just how PERFECT the audio is here - it is a faultless MINT version from beginning to end with...no interference.

'Soul Survivor' ends this incredible album with a clarity, power and depth of the highest calibre.  So often early 70s vinyl is affected by sound issues but this version is just unbelievably strong and can be turned up to max without fear of distortion.  Again I cannot praise it highly enough this is the definitive version and it honestly plays like it has never been played before.  What a way to end this is Mint in every sense of the word although the fade out does end rather abruptly!

In summary this first press variation has to be the most STUNNING example I have ever had the pleasure in listening to.  There are no clicks, pops or static and even when I have graded a couple of intros as Near Mint there is no real intrusion.  The clarity of sound on all four sides is incredible and when the final track on each side has no distortion then you know you've got an album that has been so well looked after down the years and hardly played.  The power, depth and resonance of the audio is truly of the highest calibre and I have no doubt this can be considered as a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic.  Together with a very strong gatefold and superb inners this will add to any high end collection.

The Cover, Picture Inners & Postcards

The fold-out cover is in excellent condition with very little shelf wear.  The corners for once have only minimal wear and the wide edges are also very clean without any rubbing.  The wide spine has only very light marking on the bottom third, you have to look very closely in order to see it.  The front cover has just one barely visible faint mark next to and near the bottom of the spine and only if you look at the cover at a certain angle can you see a crease line running down it.  The back cover is in great condition with just a little of that 'fading' / marking near the bottom of the spine.  The inside is immaculate with no marking and the inner spine and opening edge have no damage which is quite rare.  A fine example overall.

The picture inners are in fantastic condition with no side splits, marking or creasing and both 'opening edges' are pristine.  The sought after postcards are in perfect condition and all 12 are still connected which is another rarity!

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

COC 69100  A2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722507 (etched)

COC 69100  B2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722508 (etched)

COC 69100  C1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722509 (etched)

COC 69100  D1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722510 (etched)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!