THE ROLLING STONES Beggar's Banquet SUPERB UK 1968 UNBOXED EX++ HARDLY PLAYED LP

	£		195
	$		258

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE ROLLING STONES

Album Title: Beggar’s Banquet

Producer(s): Jimmy Miller

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sympathy for the Devil; No Expectations; Dear Doctor; Parachute Woman; Jigsaw Puzzle.

Side 2: Street Fighting Man; Prodigal Son; Stray Cat Blues; Factory Girl; Salt of the Earth.

Label/Format: Decca – unboxed format with matt fairly smooth surfaces.

Label Conditions: Both in superb condition, especially for a very popular vintage mono record. These are very clean, fresh and attractive. Spindle marks are remarkably light and few, fine and mostly faint, finding this classic album with less will prove immensely difficult. No widening or wear around the hole, these are hugely impressive as seen.

Cat Number: LK 4955

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 145 grams. A typically solid, quite heavy Decca record.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Like Beatles records, Rolling Stones early albums sold in vast numbers. But likewise, early mono copies are hard to find in less played condition, all evidence strongly suggests this is the case with this copy which looks and plays beautifully. Also, being issued towards the end of 1968, the unboxed label format was coming towards its end, to be replaced by the boxed version in 1969. The cover also impressive with any ageing minimal and light. An all-round impressive example which are becoming increasingly hard to find as such.

Original Year of Release: December 1968

Matrix Nos: XARL-8476-4A / XARL-8477-2A

Stamper Codes: 1 H / 1 C (very early indeed)

Musicians: Mick Jagger – lead vocals, backing vocals, maracas, harmonica; Keith Richards – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals, co-lead vocals; Brian Jones – harmonica, slide guitar, backing vocals, sitar, tambura, Mellotron; Bill Wyman – bass guitar, backing vocals, shekere, double bass, synthesiser; Charlie Watts – drums, backing vocals, claves, tambourine, tabla. With: Nicky Hopkins – piano; Rocky Dijon – congas; Ric Grech – fiddle; Dave Mason – shehnai, Mellotron; Jimmy Miller – backing vocals; Watts Street Gospel Choir – backing vocals.

Brief Info: The Rolling Stones seventh UK album and one of their greatest ever, all songs are written by Jagger and Richard. Most fans will know this album well, it returns to a more rock-based sound after the out-and-out psychedelia on the previous set. It includes two monumental classics in ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ and ‘Street Fighting Man’. A copy in fantastic condition, the record especially, but with a really nice cover, that although laminated, over wears badly, the spine especially so. It has a tiny tip repair to the top (by previous owner), and a little natural spine wear which is rarely avoided. No worn old mono stylus have been anywhere near the record which was a joy to play-grade. This sets a high standard and many, if not most fans and collectors will treasure its fantastic sound.

Cover Grade and Format: NEAR EXCELLENT: arguably better for a cover that seldom wears well or lacks issues. A gatefold format with front and back Clarifoil laminate. The inside is matt and smooth. This is a dedicated mono cover as seen on the back and spine edge. Printed and made in England by Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd, includes the original inner sleeve.

Lamination – Front & Back: The laminate retains excellent shine, freshness and clarity with no lifting and minimal hint of dulling or record impression. Any of the very few creases are mostly very fine and faint, also practically all near the edges. It appears the spine top corner received a mildish knock, and a tiny repair is evidence with closer inspection. So a little crinkle around this area, but hardly major. The white surfaces are still quite white with minimal hint of yellowing or toning, again that is fairly unusual. With the only small issue being the very end of the spine top, there is not a great deal else to fault on a deceptively unforgiving cover – this still looks attractive as seen.

Cover Inside: Few blemishes inside, this looks very nice indeed with little to fault at all.

Top Edges: Fully laminated, also straight and near flush, lacking the usual bowing many acquire over time. Both surfaces have hardly anything to fault.

Bottom Edges: Largely the same again.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Both mainly crisp and sharp, the front close, the back is the entrance area. Minimal hint of any thickening and still quite straight, any ‘curl’ light. No trimming or enhancements, both impressive.

Spine and Text: With a high raised ridge inside the gatefold hinge, this spine will, in most cases form a central crease and lose its shape somewhat. This has a crease near the top, so a little of the text is affected with a small few letters partially eroded. But the middle and lower text unaffected and strong as seen. As stated, a tiny repair to the top tip which is reasonably inconspicuous. Overall, still solid and quite straight. Any compression only light, with most laminate still intact. Again shedding of laminate on this unforgiving spine is common, some are seen with heavy flaking or even lost altogether.

Corners: I have mentioned the spine top corner dink and repair already, overall, it remain quite neat. The other corners have little to fault, any rubbing very little and light with very fine or better shape retained.

Cover Summary: The small tip issue apart, a strong all-round example of this quite uncompromising white gatefold cover. With only scant clues of its considerable age, this still sets a high standard, but not for the absolute purist or connoisseur. But due to increasing rarity, and still attractive, it will please many collectors.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: possibly a little faded with only gentle discolouration. The polylined Decca inner is in very overall fine condition. Minimal creasing or crinkle, two undamaged crisp window circles and clear polylining. All edges unsplit with no repairs.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): this arguably harsh. A very fine mono classic, more usually seen heavily played, often to near destruction. Both sides have few blemishes – any surface marks mostly very fine and faint. To say this record has been played only lightly, is something of an understatement (compared to most early issues), and then with due care. Compare to most found, worn and heavily used with ugly scratches and dulled grubby surfaces. Labels swathed with hole location spindle marks, even with names written on them. This is a impressive record with excellent shine and freshness. Even under light, few blemishes at all – it plays beautifully as well. It could prove a major upgrade for collectors whose own copy is tired and well used. I cannot remember seeing or hearing a better example in mono, this age-defying copy should please many fans and collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: This evergreen classic plays even above it’s high visual grading with barely anything to fault. Offering strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear – sound quality is very high with a wide dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any surface sounds barely even registered, this being played on a clinical stereo turntable for this was not really designed. But when found this clean and little used, mono records are thing of beauty and a joy to play on all equipment. An exceptional clean pressing with no tracking issues*, but hardly a surprise for Decca. Few available copies will outperform this lovely preserved record I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp, when played on a stereo system, I am certain this record has been played only lightly and has been mostly well stored and the record carefully handled. Nothing spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this wonderful record. It could prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended. The record especially has considerable upgrade potential, as stated, the cover not quite for the purists.

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14­ years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.