THE ROLLING STONES Let It Bleed VERY RARE BOXED UK 1970 MONO LP - COMPLETE EX++

	£		212
	$		280

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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 arrived damaged in them at some time. More details on my packing 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 ‘4-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important to 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 will now be blocked 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: Let It Bleed

Producer(s): Jimmy Miller.

Chief Engineer: Glyn Johns.

Assistant Engineers: Bruce Botnick, Jerry Hansen and George Chiantzalias.

Cat Number: LK 5025.

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Gimme Shelter, Love in Vain; Country Honk; Live With Me; Let it Bleed.

Side 2:Midnight Rambler; You Got the Silver; Monkey Man; You Can’t Always Get What You Want.

Label/Format: Decca – rarer red boxed mono format.

Label Conditions: Both fresh, clean and attractive, spindle marks are only very few in number, but a little long with modest visibility. I know for a fact this record has hardly been played, the label used as a guide to locate the hole as some did back in the day.

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Weight of this Record: 140 grams. A typical solid weight Decca pressing.

Country of Manufacture: England.

Rarity & Info: Regarded by many collectors as the cornerstone of any Rolling Stones collection, this legendary title in mono is high prized and elusive. This was the last original Rolling Stones album to be issued in mono and also the last to feature Brian Jones before his tragic and untimely death. As the 1960s drew to a close, the mono format was in decline and the majority of new titles within this year were not made in the single channel mode. Most people who still wanted mono records purchased them very quickly on issue and the repressings on the new label format were in less demand with only small numbers even pressed. Over the years, I have seen many mono unboxed originals – albeit in varying conditions – but I can count the number of boxed copies on one hand. In fact the Price Guides do not even specifically mention it. It was repressed officially in 1971 only in stereo without the mono/stereo indicator cover and non-stickered cover. So put simply, this mono boxed version was only available for the shortest time and few would have bought it. I actually consider this version one of the rarest standard Rolling Stones ever made and it comes complete with the original matt poster, stickered cover and dedicated inner sleeve. So a rare record that will seldom be seen or offered.

Original Year of Release: 1969

Matrix Nos: XARL 9363.P-1A / XARL 9364.P-2A

Stamper Codes: 1 UA / 1 BH

Musicians: Mick Jagger – lead vocals, harmonica; Keith Richards – guitars, bass, backing vocals, lead vocals on ‘You Got the Silver’; Brian Jones – congas, autoharp, Mick Taylor – slide guitar, guitars; Bill Wyman – bass guitar, autoharp, vibes; Charlie Watts – drums.

Other musicians: Ian Stewart – piano; Nicky Hopkins – piano, organ; Byron Berline – fiddle; Merry Clayton – vocals; Ry Cooder – mandolin, slide guitar; Bobby Keys – tenor saxophone; Jimmy Miller – percussion, drums on ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want, tambourine; Leon Russell – piano and horn arrangement; Al Kooper – piano, French horn, organ; Nanette Workman – backing vocals; Doris Troy, Madeline Bell; Rocky Dijon – percussion; The London Bach Choir – vocals.

Brief Artist & Album Info: One of monos most wanted albums and always a pleasure to offer a complete copy. Regarded by many as one of the greatest albums ever made and putting a memorable end to the famous musical decade. It was one of the last original classic UK mono albums pressed late in 1969. By then stereo had largely replaced the ageing mono format for new issues and was the last classic to be issued as such. This copy would have been pressed only a few months after the unboxed issue and almost certainly in far fewer numbers as demand for the single channel mode diminished still further. I have rarely even seen this title on the boxed label before – and that tells it’s own story. It does present the music in a different way and many still want to experience it as such. The last Rolling Stones album to feature the presence of the band’s creator, Brian Jones. It was a brilliant culmination of all their musical influences throughout music’s greatest decade. The power of the opening track, ‘Gimme Shelter’, will haunt many forever with the memory of the Altamont murder, Jagger’s top hat and scarf and the death of the sixties. The repeated line, ‘It’s just a shot away’, complements the repetition of the naively profound lyric of the album’s last track, ‘You can’t always get what you want’. The filling in-between, like the layered cake on the cover (famous made by former TV chef, Delia Smith), is equally delectable.

This copy appears little played, but this is a very rare occasion I would suggest the Decca pressing is not pristine. It does under light have a little ‘mottle’ within the pressing and there is a little gentle surface sound here-and-there – not a great deal being fair with most heard near the beginning of ‘Love in Vain’ and only a few traces thereafter on the odd quiet area. Side two plays superbly with barely anything of any real note and most songs on one are similar. I remind, I play all my records on a hugely revealing Linn LP12 Sondek, still one of the most clinical and revealing turntables made. Mono records were not really designed to be played on such equipment and there is a strong chance the very gentle surface sound will register little on less clinical systems. Also sound can vary with different stereo stylus depending on how fine the tip is and the contact it makes with the grooves. These records were made to be played on thick, heavier tracking mono stylus, and if this is to be played on a record player with one, it may well play with barely anything unwanted. That is only my opinion and not definitive, I do not own a mono record player and have not used one since I was about 11 – yes really THAT long ago! This is still a super copy and one not ruined by heavy usage on such basic equipment – few unboxed first run copies can say that these days. Most who bought the mono option back in 1969 did so to play on a mono record player with the usual perilous results. This fractionally later copy has never been subject to such abuse and appears hardly even played. Any minor surface sound is purely within the pressing and is very gentle and light. So only politely reminding of what is being listened to, a 43-year-old vinyl record and not some modern digital alternative, on which the mono experience is not legally available. So if pristine ‘perfect’ silent sound is mandatory, this is not quite that, but as stated, most of the songs play superbly well with very little unwanted, and no pops or clicks. The original stickered cover is really fresh and impressive as is the unmounted original matt poster, and even the inner sleeve is unsplit, that never easy either. Genuinely rarer than the unboxed copy, this a very fine, but not quite ‘perfect’ sound complete mono copy. I would strongly suggest an unboxed one in this condition would command a massive price, so this could be a wonderful opportunity for collectors wanting a mono copy, but not wishing to spend a king’s ranson for the privilege.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): and only marked from a superb Mint(–) for a light crease near the left edge. A single format with front Clarifoil laminate, this covers all the closed edges and ends on the back via the spine edge. This still has the promotional poster sticker as seen in close-up. The back has the mono/stereo peep-hole, there filled by the rare red coloured inner sleeve to indicate this is a mono copy. Printed and made in England and uncredited. The set includes the superb poster and customised inner sleeve.

Cover Cosmetic Improvements: None Apparent.

Cover Lamination and Front: Firstly, can I make this clear, this cover is made from thin and delicate card making this sleeve very vulnerable to most forms of wear, especially being laminated with Clarifoil that often has issues. So to find one looking like this is a massive achievement. I will mention first the only small issue that stops a maximum grading: a fine vertical crease with a very fine lift sliver just above and to the left of the pristine poster promotional sticker. This minor blemish apart, this front is stunning. The laminate retains beautiful shine, freshness and clarity with an incredible unmarked surface, no other creasing worthy of mention, and no dulling or rim impression. All this also as viewed under angled light, this almost has to be seen to be believed. Clarifoil naturally tightens, which often means major lift blisters or bowing of the card – this has not happened to this one. The right edge has the fine natural unprotected strip which is pristine. It has to be one of the finest Let it Bleed early covers I have yet seen, few will even get close. That famous old cake will never be found better and that is as close to a guarantee as I can offer.

Cover Back: Not laminated but still looking incredible, this has barely aged at all. A couple of super-faint tone spot traces aside (look very hard), this is clos to perfect as they get. The peep-hole is pristine and nice to see a RED inner filling it denoting a mono copy inside (please see this detail in close-up). I am struggling to find a single trace of a crease on the unlaminated matt surface with just a couple ultra fine traces on the laminate end on the spine edge. The end of which has barely any traces of grubbiness at all. No ringwear or even rim impression, rubbing or grubbiness, this is a clean and fresh as the day is was manufactured. A beautiful back to complement the outstanding front.

Top & Bottom Edges: Both super-smooth, unscuffed or worn. The lack of bowing is a major plus as well.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean, razor sharp with no wear or thickening, crisp and devoid burring. Record entered on this vulnerable wear prone edge which is guaranteed untrimmed (unlaminated strip fully present as stated) or enhanced in any way.

Spine and Text: A beautiful clean spine as well: solid and straight with barely any traces of any compression. Just fine natural surface crinkle in manufacture. All text is pristine perfect under the very solid and uncracked laminate (and even this is shiny). This early cover has both mono and stereo numbers on it’s spine. Importantly clean, unfaded with a super-smooth unscuffed surface, the text beautifully centred on a fairly narrow depth for extra good measure.

Corners: All four immaculate practically as made with hardly even a tip crease to be seen. Supreme pointed shape with no dinks or rubs - wonderful to see and unusual too.

Cover Summary: In terms of classic vintage covers, this is a piece de resistance, and I truly can hardly imagine finding a muc better example - the fine edge crease apart – which is only quite small anyway, this is immaculate. This is one for many reasons that does not wear well – the album’s popularity a major factor, these in most cases got handled often and often without due care. This one gives hardly clues to it’s considerable vintage and indeed could prove a major upgrade for many in its own right.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT: given its delicate disposition, this is a very fine example. Made with very thin paper it is unlined and is way under-strength for practicality and longevity. Natural rim impression, but clean with no ringwear and one corner crease. The album title written on one top corner, probably by the retailer. All edges secure and unsplit, traces of thinner near the central areas if inspected with real scrutiny, but no repairs necessary, simply do not store the record inside. Even the top recessed opening is sharp and untorn. This one has the black bar overprint to cover the ‘The London Bach Choir’ credit – this unusually is semi-transparent so the credit can still be read up close – that I have not seen before, most are totally blacked out.

The Poster: EXCELLENT(++): ultimately attractive, printed on one side only and on the thinnest of paper, no wonder so few survive like this. This has just two manufactured folds, no splits or weakening on the fold lines and no noteworthy creasing or ruffling at all. This is as fresh and clean as manufacture day and the matt surfaces probably have seldom, if ever been touched. It has the the original flat matt surface, proving how early this boxed copy is, reprinted posters had a more glossy finish – there is quite a difference visually. It is much sort-after and very important to any collector for this album. Importantly, this is unmounted with no tape, tack or pin-hole damage and the back is clean, still white and hardly even marked. Both sides appear almost as new and this unforgiving matt surface is prone to showing all handling marks – once fingermarks are applied to it’s surface, they are virtually impossible to remove. Just a couple of fine corner area creases stop a Mint(–) grading. For good measure, it is very neatly folded as well, many are seen more roughly folded out of alignment, which spoils the visual pleasure. A fantastic example of this elusive insert and it should please most-all collectors, these are getting very difficult to find like this.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+): side two even better. A very fine visual copy that is very clean with fine shine and very solidly pressed. Any usage marks are minimal, light and faint, with scrutiny under angled light, some light ‘mottling’ with the pressing is seen. I used this word for light dulling, possibly impurity in the vinyl, that is something I very rarely have to state for any Decca record. A company I personally regard as the very best UK manufacturer of them all with manufacturing standards second-to-none. This ‘impurity’ almost the certain culprit for any gentle, light and very infrequent surface sound heard as already mentioned in detail further up. If this was a very rare lapse – maybe it was thought to be a potentiall poor seller in mono after the decline? – I do not know, but Decca records are usually of the utmost purity and quality – this hardly bad and minimal anyway. I wish lesser-quality labels were even half this good. I am being very critical here, let me make that clear. Any impurity traces are light and minor, and barely any seen on side two at all (use the Ebay magnifier on side one of the record rim area, it may show what I am trying hard to explain?) There are next to no actual stylus marks, with any blemishes ultra fine and faint, the record appears only very lightly played with no penetrating scratches. It will probably still blow away the majority of unboxed copies offered that are invariably played heavily, often to near destruction. This is a lovely, and much rarer record in its own right and unless visual and audio ‘perfection’ is mandatory, this will please many, if not most 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, for most even above it’s high visual grading with little to fault. A little, patchy and very gentle surface sound was heard on ‘Love in Vain’ mostly near it’s very beginning – only patchy traces thereafter and most other songs have hardly any issues of special note. Side two plays beautifully with even the challening final song playing well with little unwanted. Let’s be honest, will any vintage mono copy of this very popular record ever offer pristine silent sound? I would doubt it strongly. This was not recorded loudly either, so amps will have to be turned up, which means blemishes will be more highlighted. This lovely record offers strong, distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear - sound quality is very high with a full dynamic range and very detailed sound. Any other surface sounds are minimal and very infrequent, but if ‘silence’ is non-negotiable, better wait for the near impossible – I cannot be fairer or more honest really. This plays as it did when purchased, manufacture blemishes cannot be added or taken away – as stated again – mono sound can vary depending on what it will be played on. My findings based on a ruthlessly revealing stereo Linn LP12 Sondek – it can argued that is hardly fair for a 43-year-old mono record. Overall this set impresses for looks and sound, but not quite perfect, clearly it has been well stored and with minimal handling to any part. Very little, if indeed anything being realistic, spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this immense and rare very late mono record. It will prove very difficult to find significantly better and can be strongly recommended to many, if not most collectors.

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 - on average ONEADAY, a couple more at weekends if time permits, hence the name - time rarely allows for more as I Play-Grade virtually every record I offer in their entirety, 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 its 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 programmes. What you see is what you get and scanned labels will give a more accurate representation of the genuine colour than flash photography where light is variable. I cannot guarantee total accuracy for colours however but most will be very close. 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 Rondo Red moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2 grams). Amps: Naim Nait 5i with Project USB phono stage and Chord interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Terrarium 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 and the cost of this lavish packing is NOT even charged for, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners and bubble wrap 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 less than one in two thousand+ based on over 10,000+ items sold in over 12 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. Even one of these stiffeners cannot be bent by hand, so what chance 2 inside a box? Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE. 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 FOUR days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the, 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 and they take the Ebay consequences (a strike or removal from the system). 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] = £8. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £2 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 £3 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’.