The Rolling Stones : No 2 1A / 2A Early Red Decca Unboxed Label with Very Rare Paste Over Cover

This early pressing on the unboxed red Decca label is stunning and rarely have I heard it play with such incredible clarity and depth, there is just no interference!  The vinyl is also very impressive visually and rarely do you find sonic quality as impressive as this.  The vinyl is a slightly later pressing as is non-grooved but is still very early and was more than likely pressed in '68 or '69. 

It also comes complete with the very rare 'Paste Over' cover.  The vast majority of the first/early pressings have the Blind Man text until Decca had to change it so instead of destroying the the remaining covers they printed a single sheet with the 'censored' text.  Some were used in the factory but a small number were also sent out to record shops.  How many were 'glued on' is anyone's guess!  You can also just about see the original print under the 'Paste Over' sheet.

To find a copy with the 'Paste Over' censored version is not easy as they are so limited.  The true rare version!  In fact it could be said that it is even rarer to find a non-grooved pressing with the 'Paste Over' cover.  Yes you find the odd one for sale on eBay but very rarely in this condition - the cover is in excellent condition and the audio, as stated, is STUNNING!

LK 4661 // XARL - 6619 - 1A / XARL - 6620 - 2A // AU 2B / HM 3B

The audio on S1 is Mint- (T1 & T2 Near Mint)

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T6 Near Mint) 

The cover is a very strong VG++

The labels are Near Mint-

The inner sleeve is Near Mint-

Visual grading

The vinyl still has an impressive glossy sheen with no clouding or dulling.  There are actually not that many hairlines and only on S1 can you see 3/4 that are a little more obvious.  However, these are still hairlines and have no affect on the superb audio quality.  S2 is in lovely condition with only a small number of faint sleeve removal hairlines.  There are no scratches on either side.  Not quite visually perfect but still in excellent condition for 52/53 years of age!   I would say not over-played also as there is not too much spindle wear and no groove wear either which in parts explains the stunning clarity and definition of the audio.  The run out grooves are very clean and the matrix info and the JT tax stamps can clearly be seen.

Play grading

The lead in grooves on S1 have barely any 'background' which is rare for a vinyl of this age and then the spoken intro on the classic 'Everybody Needs Someone To Love' is nigh on perfect with no clicks or pops.  As the vocal 'starts' the audio is very strong and there is a genuine depth of sound here.  It progresses in the same way with no interference not even on the fade out.  There is just a minimal and barely audible touch of light static in a couple of sections but yes - hardly noticeable.  A superb Near Mint version.

'Down Home Girl' is of the same standard and the one thing that stands out so far is the clarity of the recording.  The playback is so 'clean' as there is just no interference to be heard.  A couple of very minor static moments perhaps but even that might be too harsh an assessment.  You can't really fault the audio but I will grade as Near Mint just to be safe.  For a record fast approaching 53 years old the audio is of a very high calibre.

'You Can't Catch Me' is STUNNING from start to finish and plays with great clarity and depth, not sure I've heard better!  Once again there is no interference and in all honesty 'as new' can be utilised here.  Mint- is more than deserved.  Each note is so sharp and precise and the fade out has no 'background' at all.

The intro on 'Time Is On My Side' is so 'clean' and as the vocal begins there is no let up in quality.  It continues to play with sublime clarity and with no intrusion on the audio.  There is no distortion  either and this is a mono record being played through a stereo set up!  I can't find any fault and I am confident in a Mint- grade once more.

'What A Shame' plays with wonderful clarity and definition and again there is literally no interference to be heard.  I do not exaggerate my listings as it is obviously not in my interests - I just 'list' what I hear and the audio here cannot be faulted.  Another stunning Mint- version.

'Grown Up Wrong' plays with fantastic quality from the first note to the last.  The depth of the audio is astounding and I can't quite believe the complete lack of distortion seeing as this is the final track on the side!  The playback is exceptional and Mint- is again an t de.

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'Down The Road Apiece' plays with great quality from the word go with only one mega quiet dust tick on the intro and from then on plays with remarkable depth and clarity.  Another up tempo number and yet the audio has lost none of its original sound quality.  I'm running out of superlatives for this album!  Mint-

The quiet intro on 'Under The Boardwalk' could not play any better and continues in the same precise way.  No interference, no underlying static, no faults so is Mint- although a minus isn't required really!

Not wishing to be repetitive but 'I Can't Be Satisfied' is STUNNING throughout and has no 'background'.  The clarity is 'as new' and the definition of the audio could not be any stronger.  Mint-

'Pain In my Heart' has only a handful of light dust ticks on the intro which are so quiet anyway.  I'm sure I only pick them up because I sit so close to the speakers!  From then on it plays with wonderful precision and...no interference.  There are no negatives and is Mint- once again.

The quiet intro on 'Off The Hook' is flawless and from then on that Stones raw power is very much in evidence.  It's almost as if there is a little distortion on the vocal but I would say this is more due to how it was recorded and that Jagger is on higher register here, a more powerful vocal as it were.  There is no 'background' and the long fade out provides more evidence of the amazing clarity on offer here.  Another Mint- track.

'Suzie-Q' plays with very strong audio and has only minimal inner groove distortion.  Perhaps I shouldn't downgrade as this is a common feature of 'final tracks' and it is still a fine finish to the album.  No clicks or pops and Near Mint is fair.

In summary this early red Decca pressing plays to fantastic standard with no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  The clarity for a vinyl of this age is quite frankly amazing - not one tick, click or pop, no crackle and next to no static.  It doesn't get much better than this!  Together with the very rare 'Paste Over' cover this is a stunning 'package' for sure.

The Cover

The very rare 'Paste Over' cover is in excellent order with only a little shelf wear.  The edges and thin pinched spine are super clean with no 'rubbing' and there is not too much corner wear either.  The opening edge has some handling wear but certainly not an excessive amount.  The laminated front cover has no damage as such, just a couple of longish crease lines and some of the usual crease lines that you always find around the edges.  The all important 'Paste Over' back cover I think is quite impressive - yes there is some light marking/fading but this is mainly around the edges.  There are no large marks/stains anywhere.  When consider the rarity of this cover it is a fine example overall.

The Inner Sleeve

I don't think this is the original one but nonetheless this poly-lined inner is definitely from the 60s and remains in superb condition.  There are no side splits or tears and barely any creasing.  It has 'British patent No. 800513' and 'Foreign Patents pending' and 'Made in England' printed on it.

The Labels

The non-boxed and non-grooved red Decca labels are in great condition with no marking or writing and have lost none of their original deep colour.  There is not too much spindle wear either and has not been over-played.

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

LK 4661 // XARL - 6619 - 1A / XARL - 6620 - 2A // AU 2B / HM 3B

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

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