THE ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, STUNNING & COMPLETE 1971 UK 1st ISSUE

THE ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, STUNNING & COMPLETE 1971 UK 1st ISSUE

Click images to enlarge

Description

It's my pleasure to offer for sale an exceptional copy of The Rolling Stones' brilliant studio album titled Sticky Fingers, Catalogue Number COC 59100. It's a 1971 UK stereo first pressing on the Rolling Stones Records label, with a first issue Andy Warhol designed zip sleeve. It comes complete with the correct first issue Richard Davis Ltd. Photo/Credits insert and the original white inner sleeve. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design with the small zip puller and crimped spine ends. The record matrix numbers are stamped COC 59100 A3 and COC 59100 B4. "ROLLING STONES RECORDS" is etched in the run-outs of both sides. The Photo/Credits insert is the first issue which was printed in England by Richard Davis Ltd. on thick card].

The iconic zip sleeve is in EX condition with only light signs of wear and a few small creases in the belt buckle area. The front and back covers are unmarked and the spine (with crimped ends) is square and solid with perfect text. There are a few little indentations on the back cover where it has been pressed against the zip puller on the neighbouring sleeve during the initial packaging. Overall it's a lovely example. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record is in EX(+) condition with only a few faint sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident under bright light. These are of course purely superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The yellow Rolling Stones Records labels are like new with only a few faint spindle traces each side. There is virtually no wear to the spindle hole. I can confirm that the record has only received a few careful plays. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops or repeat clicks or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. It is well documented that many of the 1971 first issue pressings of Sticky Fingers were of poor quality and suffered from high levels of residual surface sound (due in part to the overuse of mother stampers). This particular pressing plays very cleanly with an absolute minimum of unwanted surface sound throughout the whole record. The quiet introductions and passages in Wild Horses, You Gotta Move, Sister Morphine and Moonlight Mile all play beautifully. The sound quality is very pleasing indeed: powerful and vibrant, but also with lots of contrasting acoustic guitar passages. There is a little rub mark caused by pressure from the zip puller during storage which causes 4 or 5 light pops in the linking groove between Sister Morphine and Dead Flowers. Otherwise the whole album plays flawlessly. I can't imagine that many better-playing copies exist.

The Photo/Credits insert is in excellent unmarked condition with no significant creases, just a touch of foxing along one edge.

The plain white inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no splits or tears.
 

Overall this is a superb barely-played first issue of arguably The Rolling Stones' most accomplished studio album 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 Sony PS-X600 biotracer turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 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 - £8.50

Worldwide - £11.50