The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 1K / 1K un-boxed blue label

This first stereo pressing on the blue unboxed Decca label is without doubt the finest example I have ever seen or heard!  It has only been lightly played and that is reflected in the supreme quality of the audio, not one click or pop and no underlying static either.  The clarity and depth of the audio on both sides is stunning.  In my opinion this qualifies as FINAL UPGRADE first pressing i.e. no need to purchase as you could hardly improve on the sonic quality on offer here!  It truly is in remarkable condition.  

The famous cover has also been so well looked after down the years with hardly any wear and for once the wide spine remains in superb condition.  It really is a stunning example!  The original inner (11-68) is also in great shape.

This is the earliest first pressing with the first unboxed Stereo label - it has the 1K/1K matrix and on the labels the catalogue number is in large font and has a dot in between SKL and 4955.  The speed is also missing and Mirage Music is above the BIEM box.  The first pressings also had 'Sleeve printed by Garrod And Lofthouse International Limited Patents Pending' on the back cover and the catalogue number is printed on both the back and on the spine.

Shipping costs to the US have increased recently so please wait for the invoice.  As an example I recently sent 3 LPs via tracked shipping and this cost just over £34.00 - packaging costs not included!

SKL 4955 // XZAL - 8476 - 1K / XZAL - 8477 - 1K // BA 1 / CG 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint) 

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The gatefold is Near Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual grading

The vinyl is visually stunning and has that jet-black glossy sheen that only well preserved records have.  It is fantastic condition and has no scratches and only a small number of very faint sleeve removal hairlines.  At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking this was a recently pressed vinyl the grooves are so clean.  On closer inspection you can see a couple of small thumbnail hairline marks at the start of S1 and one on S2 that are a little more obvious but again they are still faint and have no affect on the stunning audio.  With only a little spindle wear this vinyl has been beautifully preserved and the run out grooves are very clean - the matrix info and the JT tax code can easily be read.  The labels are also in superb condition.

Play grading

The percussive intro on the classic 'Sympathy For The Devil' plays perfectly with no interference and Jagger's first vocal is of the same 'high end' standard.  This is as good a start that you could wish to hope for and I am delighted to say it continues to impress with that unmistakable raw Stones sound.  It plays with stunning clarity and power and there are no ticks, clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  This truly is a superb version with each note playing with such precision and this is clearly a record that has not been on a turntable too many times.  The long fade out has no 'background' either and this easily qualifies as a Mint- start to the album.  

With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on 'No Expectations' is faultless as is the first verse.  From that point on it plays as per the first track with great clarity and depth...and no interference.  The clarity is again exceptional and it grades as Mint- although many would argue the minus is not required!

'Dear Doctor' is of the same quality and plays with stunning accuracy from start to finish.  There is no 'background' and the playback could not be any stronger.  Again the power and definition of the audio is sublime.  Mint this time - what a version!

The intro on 'Parachute Woman' plays perfectly and there are only a couple of light ticks just after the vocal begins.  There is another light tick further in but is not a click!  In no way is it intrusive and aside from that this track plays with great precision and the fade out has no 'background' at all.  As any collector knows this album is renown for its distorted sound quality especially towards the end of each side.  However, it is certainly not in evidence on this track - the audio just plays with that familiar Stones raw power again and grades as Near Mint in my opinion.

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' is superb and the first vocal section cannot be faulted either.  It continues to play with incredible power and clarity and so far there is none of that 'tinny' distortion and the sonic quality is so impressive.  The mid instrumental is STUNNING - the following vocal is so strong and whilst there is perhaps a minor amount of inner groove distortion on the final third it is in no way intrusive.  In fact it has to be said this is the finest version of this classic that I have heard in many a year.  The 'distortion' if you can call it that is really so minimal and you do not have to turn the volume down!  Maybe I am doing myself a disservice by even mentioning it!  The final vocal is flawless and this is a fantastic version without question and the instrumental close to the side is STUNNING once more!  The long fade out is nigh on perfect aside from one mega light tick and I honestly believe Mint- is a fair assessment of the audio here.  What a version!

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'Street Fighting Man' is so powerful from the get go and it continues to play with immense power and with a clarity that is second to none.  This is such a strong start to the side and again I cannot overstate how well it plays!  The power here is phenomenal and with only a couple of gentle ticks on the long fade out this is as close to perfect as is possible.  Mint-

The acoustic intro on 'Prodigal Son' has only a handful of barely audible dust ticks but again they are scarcely worth a mention, barely noticeable!  As the vocal begins the audio could not be any clearer and the same applies to the rest of the track.  Yet another stunning version and Mint- is more than deserved.  Again is the minus required?!

'Stray Cat Blues' is 'as new' on the intro and then plays with a power and depth that you only get from a very well preserved vinyl.  My visual grading above explains that well I believe.  There is no interference, no distortion on the top end which is a genuine rarity for this 'high octane' number and even the quieter section towards and the end is faultless.  The final instrumental section is the same and the fade out has no 'background' of any kind.  Mint-

The quiet acoustic intro on 'Factory Girl' is nigh on perfect with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and it then plays with great precision.  No ticks, clicks, pops and no underlying static - every note plays with sublime precision.  Mint-

The intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' again plays with age defying clarity and being the final track on the side it is often subject to the irritating distorted type sound as described previously.  However, this is undoubtedly one of the cleanest versions I have ever listened to and the sonic quality from start to finish is very impressive indeed.  There is no interference and the 'high octane' finish is a case in point.  It plays so well and has only a minimal amount of the aforementioned distortion.  With a perfect fade out I am confident in saying this Mint- as the distortion, albeit minor, is due to the recording/manufacturing process rather than anything else.

In summary this first pressing has a sonic quality that you rarely find today.  This record has been so well preserved and has lost none of its original quality and that is reflected in the audio.  As described earlier the vinyl is beautifully clean and it's so rare to find a 1K/1K blue unboxed stereo pressing playing as well as this.  With not a single click or pop the clarity is stunning and with very little of the distortion that you regularly find this is a FINAL UPGRADE album in my opinion.

The Gatefold

The 'Patents Pending' G & L laminated cover is in beautiful condition and the only 'wear' is that the front cover is slightly out of alignment with the back cover, a common thing with these 'one piece' covers.  The edges have no shelf wear at all and as can be seen the wide spine remains in great condition - it is 100% legible and has only minimal compression in a couple of areas.  There are a small number of tiny 'nicks' on the edges but they are barely visible.  All the corners are in superb order with next to no wear and the opening edge is also very clean with very little handling wear.  The front cover is stunning - a lovely glossy sheen with no marking or laminate damage and the back cover is equally as impressive with only two small laminate creases near the top edge.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate 'as new' in fact.  This is a stunning version of this iconic gatefold - hard to believe it's nearly 53 years old!  It doesn't really get much better than this!

The Inner Sleeve

The original poly-lined Decca inner dated 'R.s. 11 - 68' in one corner has no side splits or tears, very minimal age related fading and only a little creasing.  Great condition for its age.

The Labels

The blue unboxed Decca labels are in superb order with no marking or writing and barely any spindle wear on S1 and just a little more on S2.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

SKL 4955 // XZAL - 8476 - 1K / XZAL - 8477 - 1K // BA 1 / CG 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

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