ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, 1971 UK *1st PRESS*

	£		56
	$		74

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 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

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 an extremely low level of surface sound.

Here for auction is an exceptional example of the seminal album by THE ROLLING STONES titled “STICKY FINGERS”, Catalogue Number COC 59100. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK PRESSING on the ROLLING STONES LABEL. The matrix numbers are COC 59100 A4 and COC 59100 B4. “T.M.L. Rolling Stones Records” is etched in the dead wax.

The *1st Issue* Andy Warhol designed zip sleeve is in EXCELLENT CONDITION. The front cover is unmarked with just a few small creases by the belt buckle, and a few tiny surface depressions caused by the zip on the neighbouring LP during the initial packaging. The back cover is also unmarked apart from a few small surface depressions caused by the neighbouring zip. There is just a little age discoloration near the edges. The metal zip (with rounded pull tab) is in perfect working order. The edges are in fine shape with only very light signs of wear. The corners are lovely and square with barely any wear. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible, and the spine ends neatly crimped as they should be on a first press sleeve. There are no rips, stickers or writing. Overall a beautiful example of this iconic 1st issue sleeve!!

The record is fairly solidly pressed and sits flat and true on the turntable. It retains a deep mirror-like shine. Both sides are visually in EXCELLENT+ CONDITION with just a few very light sleeve removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These marks are of course purely superficial and of no audio significance. The yellow ROLLING STONES LABELS are unmarked with no obvious spindle traces. There is no wear around the spindle hole. I am confident that the record has not been played many times.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

Make no mistake, top quality pressings of this LP which play without endless pops, clicks and surface sound, are VERY HARD TO FIND!! This one was pressed with very low levels of inherent surface sound, and completely free of pops and loud clicks. Both sides play SUPERBLY with ALL FREQUENCIES CRYSTAL CLEAR. This is a vibrant recording which SOUNDS SENSATIONAL played at high volume!!

Playback is of a very high standard with very little unwanted noise to spoil the listening experience. Several of the tracks have quiet semi-acoustic passages which can easily be spoiled by excessive surface sound. Not on this copy - all play beautifully with only very low levels of unwanted noise (just occasional light surface sound which is never intrusive). You’ll struggle to find a significantly better playing copy!!

The CARD INSERT with the band photo on one side, and the lips and tongue logo on the other, is in EXCELLENT+ CONDITION.

Complete with the CORRECT PLAIN WHITE INNER SLEEVE with blue “MADE IN ENGLAND” and “PATENT NO…” text at the bottom. This is also in EXCELLENT CONDITION with no splits or tears, just some age discoloration.

ORIGINAL EXAMPLES OF STICKY FINGERS WITH A SLEEVE OF THIS QUALITY AND NEAR FAULTLESS PLAYBACK ARE SERIOUSLY DIFFICULT TO FIND – DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!    

Please check out my feedback and bid with confidence

International postage costs: Europe £5.50, Worldwide £7.95

International buyers: payment by PayPal only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.