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The Rolling Stones : Let It Bleed 1A / 1A 1st Mono Press w/ Poster 1969

This first mono pressing may well be the finest example that I have ever listened to.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning and the vast majority does indeed play to the highest standard possible.  The only 'intrusion' are some light ticks during the quieter section on 'Midnight Rambler' but the rest of this classic album is phenomenal.  It has the most 'complete' S1 I have ever heard and S2 is not far behind!  'You Can't Always Get What You Want' is stunning, the sonic quality is quite simply on another level.

The iconic cover is in superb condition with barely any wear and the 'Full Color Rolling Stones Poster' sticker is in perfect condition.  The mono / stereo indicator hold on the back has no wear either.  The poster is in lovely condition it is almost 'as new' and the red mono inner sleeve has been so well preserved also.  This one has the London Back Choir credit covered with the black bar although they didn't do a very good job with this one as you can still read half of it!

The first pressing has the 1A / 1A matrix and of course the red Decca labels are non-grooved / un-boxed.  Incidentally this pressing has two of the label variations.  The most obvious difference is the publishing credit is after every song on S1 but Mirage Music is above the BIEM / NCB box on S2.

LK 5025 // XARL-9363.P-1A / XARL-9364.P-1A // A 1 / UI 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 quiet section Ex- / T2 Near Mint / T4 intro Near Mint)

The cover is Ex+

The poster is Near Mint

The labels are Mint-

The red Mono inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still holds a very strong glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  Under a bright light I can see a few faint hairlines, a small area of minor mottling on S1 and a couple of faint hairline scuff areas on S2 but these are superficial as they have no bearing on the superb audio.  In fact when you look at the vinyl in 'normal' lighting it is pristine.  The run offs are very clean and you can easily read the matrix info and the JT tax codes and the red Decca labels are more or less perfect with barely any spindle wear.

Play grading  

The lead in on S1 as you set the needle down is so quiet, there is no background, and then the intro on 'Gimme Shelter' plays with stunning clarity and depth.  That full deep rich sound you only find on mono records.  Jagger's opening vocal has no intrusion and the first chorus has only a couple of barely audible statics at the beginning.  Not really worth a mention but as my regulars know I will state any background even if it can hardly be heard!  It continues to play with remarkable quality with nothing getting in the way of the audio.  Merry Clayton's vocal adds so much to this classic and it so clean and powerful here.  Every section plays with sublime quality and even the fade out has no background.  Mint- is fully deserved although I'm not sure the minus is necessary!

The acoustic intro on 'Love In Vain' plays so clearly with only a couple of minor statics and the first vocal is equal to that with no background at all.  As Watts' comes in the playback is faultless and the mandolin instrumental from Cooder then provides another superb example of the clarity on offer here.  The final vocal section / instrumental has no interference and Mint- is again an honest appraisal of the audio.

The entire intro on 'Country Honk' plays perfectly as does the opening vocal section from Jagger and Richards.  The first chorus is equal to that and the fiddle mid instrumental also plays 'as new'.  To the very end this plays with crystal clear audio and this time Mint is fair.

'Live With Me' plays with that typical Stones raw power and the clarity and power is exceptional.  A 'busy' track and yet the separation is top class.  No distortion on the top end and this can only grade as Mint

'Let It Bleed' completes the side with stunning audio once more.  The intro is so clean and precise and the opening vocal is of the same high end standard.  It continues to play with a sonic quality that belies the age of the record and for a final track the clarity is so impressive - there is no inner groove distortion so far and the power is undiminished.  Stewart's piano 'sound' is so clear throughout and the end 'instrumental' section plays with incredible quality.  A minor touch of distortion right at the end perhaps?  I'm being too picky really but I will say Mint- just to be cautious!

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The intro on 'Midnight Rambler' has only a couple of mega quiet statics and plays with wonderful clarity and Jagger's opening vocal section has no background at at all.  The following instrumental is flawless and next more powerful keeps up the standard.  The mid instrumental with Jagger's background 'vocal' then plays with incredible clarity and again you really notice the depth of sound here.  As it slows down intro very quiet section there are some light ticks but in my opinion they are not intrusive.  As the vocal comes back in they soon dissipate and the final powerful section then plays with genuine quality and zero interference.  The majority of this track grades as Mint- and the quieter piece as Ex- I think that is fair.

'You Got The Silver' plays with great clarity and warmth throughout.  There are no clicks, pops or underlying and only a small number of very quiet static ticks.  Not quite Mint- so I will say Near Mint

The intro on 'Monkey Man' plays with perfect clarity and the first vocal is just as strong and clear.  Superb sonic quality through this section.  Not to labour a point but the clarity and depth during the mid instrumental is incredible!  The final vocal section is on the same level and I am 100% confident in grading this as Mint such is the quality.  Another perfect fade out also.

The London Bach Choir intro on the classic 'You Can't Always Get What You Want' is so close to perfect with only a small number of barely audible background statics, the playback is superb.  The acoustic section is faultless and then Jagger's first vocal is equal to that.  Again the separation is stunning, every note so crisp and clear.  As the volume increases with Watts' and Wyman's introduction the sonic quality is still 'as new' and it continues in the same precise way.  This is audio of the highest calibre I have no complaints!  As the LBC return the sound is so clean and powerful and there is literally no intrusion on the audio.  The final verse / chorus is perfect and the closing section could not play any better.  You can turn it up to max and you do not lose any of the original sonic quality, quite simply it is fantastic!  The long fade out has no background either and for a genuine first mono pressing to play with such clarity, power and warmth is a rarity.  What a version!  I will say the intro is Near Mint but from then on it is Mint in every single way.  STUNNING!

The Cover, Poster & Mono Inner Sleeve

The laminated cover is in superb condition and is easily one of the finest examples I have ever seen.  The top edge is perfect, the bottom edge has just one minor 'rub' and the thin pinched spine is stunning with barely any wear on the corners.  It goes without saying that it remains 100% legible.  The right hand corners also have very little wear and the opening edge has is pristine.  The front cover is so clean without any marking and has just two very small faint laminate creases that you can only see when you hold the cover in a certain light, hardly deserves a mention!  As can be seen the original 'Full Color Rolling Stones Poster' sticker is still in perfect condition.  The back cover has been so well preserved also with minimal fading near the top edge and one small spot near the bottom.  When you consider it isn't laminated it really is in superb condition.  This is a stunning example of this iconic cover.

The original poster in practically 'as new' with just one tiny barely visible corner crease and the red mono sleeve is also in great shape with no side splits or tears, no marking and only very minimal creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

LK 5025 // XARL-9363.P-1A / XARL-9364.P-1A // A 1 / UI 1

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 will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

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