THE ROLLING STONES / STICKY FINGERS, 1971 UK ORIGINAL

	£		101
	$		134

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Rega Planar 3 turntable fitted with an Elys cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. Any significant playing defects will be detailed in the description below. I know how disappointing it is to receive a record graded as excellent, only to find that listening pleasure is spoiled by endless pops, loud clicks and intrusive background crackle. I guarantee that you will not buy such a record from me!!

The winning bidder can expect to receive a clean record, carefully packaged, with the vinyl removed from the inner and outer sleeves to prevent splits in transit.

By the time The Rolling Stones released Sticky Fingers in 1971, there had been a two year gap since their previous studio album. This was the first LP released on the Rolling Stones Label, and expectations were high that Sticky Fingers would be a big seller. Consequently the 1971 album was produced in large numbers. Many of the pressings during that year were of poor quality, the result of over-use of worn mother stampers, which produced sub-standard records badly affected by crackle and pops. The matrix numbers of the 1971 pressings were quite random and can not be relied upon to date the order of the pressing, or indeed the quality of the pressing. I have owned several copies of Sticky Fingers over the years, at least three of which appeared to be in mint condition, with only a handful of plays on quality decks – but were virtually unlistenable due to excessive crackle and pops!!

The copy for auction here is a top quality pressing, which plays with all frequencies clear and sharp, and a minimum of unwanted noise.

Here for auction is a superb example of the classic album by THE ROLLING STONES titled “STICKY FINGERS”, Catalogue Number COC 59100. This is an ORIGINAL 1971 UK PRESSING on the ROLLING STONES LABEL. The matrix numbers are COC 59100 A3 and COC 59100 B3. “Rolling Stones Records” is etched in the dead wax. I believe this to be ONE OF THE VERY FIRST BATCH OF PRESSINGS due to the weight and inflexibility of the vinyl.

The ANDY WARHOL designed ZIP SLEEVE is in NEAR EXCELLENT CONDITION, and undamaged apart from a few light creases. Unusually, the fragile die cut flap above the belt buckle has only very light creasing (see photo below). The metal zip is fully intact (in the up position but not tested). The front and back covers are in EXCELLENT unspoiled condition apart from the light creases mentioned above and the usual small areas of marking on the back (surface depressions) where the zip on the neighbouring LP pressed into it during the initial packaging into boxes. The edges and corners show only minimal rubbing. There is light feathering of the opening edge. The spine is SOLID WITH ALL TEXT CLEARLY LEGIBLE and the ends neatly pinched as they should be. There are absolutely NO rips, stickers or writing. Overall a VERY PRESENTABLE SLEEVE!!

The SOLIDLY PRESSED VINYL retains much of its original lustre and sits flat and true on the turntable. There are just a few light surface marks which do not affect play. The yellow ROLLING STONES LABELS show a few light spindle marks but are otherwise unmarked.

PLAYGRADE ASSESSMENT:

Both sides play SUPERBLY with ALL FREQUENCIES CRYSTAL CLEAR. This is a vibrant recording which SOUNDS SENSATIONAL played at high volume!! There are NO jumps or loud pops, and barely any unwanted noise to spoil the listening experience. Several of the tracks have quiet semi-acoustic introductions which can easily be spoiled by excessive surface sound - in particular, Wild Horses, You Gotta Move, Sister Morphine and the brilliant Moonlight Mile. Not on this example - all play beautifully with a minimum of unwanted noise which is never intrusive.

The INSERT with the band photo on one side, and the lips and tongue logo is in NEAR EXCELLENT CONDITION, showing only a single depression where the zip has been pressed against, and very light creasing.

Complete with the ORIGINAL PLAIN WHITE INNER SLEEVE which has a couple of nicks to one edge, and a number written in one corner.

DON’T MISS THIS ONE!!!

Please check out my feedback and bid with confidence

International postage costs: Europe £5.00, Worldwide £7.50

International buyers: payment by PayPal or cash (in UK £) only 

A note about insurance:

The international postage costs listed above do not include insurance. Your invoice will include an insured option. I strongly recommend that you take up this option, but it is entirely up to you. I will not hassle you about it. You either add the required insurance or you don’t. If you do add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will get a refund. If you don't add the required insurance and your record is lost or damaged, you will not get a refund. I can’t make it any clearer than that!

The UK postage cost includes insurance up to a value of £32. If the final sale price is more than this, your invoice will include an insurance option. The same applies as specified in the above paragraph.