ROLLING STONES Through The Past Darkly 1969 UK UNBOXED Decca SUPER VINYL+AUDIO

	£		49
	$		65

THE ROLLING STONES - THROUGH THE PAST DARKLY (Big Hits Vol. 2)

A nice condition (especially the vinyl) and underplayed copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1969 Rolling Stones UK 1st press gem on the UNBOXED UK DECCA record label, STEREO, SKL 5019

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  XZAL-9067.P-1W with stampers "9" and "C H" at 9.30 o'clock and 3.30 o'clock respectively, and the "JT" tax code at 1 o'clock

Side 2   XZAL-9068.P-2W with stampers "1" and "C G" at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock respectively, and the "JT" tax code at 12 o'clock

The appearance and overall condition of the flat, weighty vinyl is excellent (EX). Each side gleams, with a gorgeous jet black sheen and in normal daylight comes across as almost unmarked (a couple of very, very light scuff marks come into view when the vinyl tilted at the right angle). With close scrutiny under a very bright light it is possible to detect a few extremely wispy and superficial hairlines, along with a couple of light and barely identifiable paper scuffs, on each side of the vinyl - certainly nothing here that is feelable or below the surface and all seemingly purely superficial. It seems hard to believe that this record is 51 years of age!

The labels are excellent plus (EX+). Gorgeous condition labels with the silver text upon the matt dark blue background, and the iconic UNBOXED "Decca" lettering and "ffss" logo, all in tip-top condition. There are just a couple of very light spindle trails on each label, barely noticeable.

The condition of the outside laminated Garrod & Lofthouse outer sleeve is a solid very good (VG). Uniquely octagonal, overall very nice, and certainly very presentable, but there is just a little sporadic fraying on a couple of the edges, some light scuffing towards the top end of the spine, x3 light score lines on the front side (only visible when tilted at the right angle in the right light), a small 5mm edge tear on the bottom right side edge, and some minor laminate lift adjacent to the reverse side top edge. All colours, art work, photos, and text remain in great shape - vibrant and perfectly defined, and there is no unwanted writing or doodles. Certainly a solid very good.

The quality of the audio is excellent plus (EX+). Wonderful tone and clarity throughout, even at higher volume and on higher frequencies. No repeats, sticks, skips or clicks and background crackle is at an absolute minimum (perhaps just a hint during a couple of the interludes...negligible). Every track on this brilliant LP remains a great listen, with every track being a classic in it's own right!

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. JUMPIN' JACK FLASH

2. MOTHER'S LITTLE HELPER

3. 2,000 LIGHT YEARS FROM HOME

4. LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER

5. YOU BETTER MOVE ON

6. WE LOVE YOU

Side 2 :

1. STREET FIGHTING MAN

2. SHE'S A RAINBOW

3. RUBY TUESDAY

4. DANDELION

5. SITTIN' ON THE FENCE

6. HONKY TONK WOMEN

Comes complete with original blue and white octagonal Decca inner sleeve, with no tears, splits, fraying or creasing - near perfect condition, in fact. Note that I always use a new, plain white replacement inner sleeve for shipping purposes in order to protect the original.

In summary a very nice condition (the quality of the vinyl and stereo sound reproduction being real highlights) copy of this increasingly rare and sought after 1969 UK 1st press Rolling Stones gem - the whole LP remains a great listen. A "must" for any serious Stones vinyl collection and will only continue to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 50 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 65 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl thick cardboard "crucifix" style mailer along with at least two thick cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be UK £4.00, Royal Mail 1st class signed for; 

Continental Europe £11, and Rest of the World £15 respectively, Royal Mail 1st class international Airmail tracked and signed for

 I DO discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding!

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler