The Rolling Stones - Flowers (RARE 1967 UK Decca Export Only - Sample - MONO )

	A$		114
	$		76

THE ROLLING STONES - FLOWERS

(UK DECCA LK4888, 1967 – MONO – SAMPLE)

Exceedingly RARE UK sample copy of the Export-To-Europe compilation ‘Flowers’, a USA LP that originally featured tracks that were not on the US versions of the albums ‘Aftermath’ and ‘Between The Buttons’. Also included are 4 tracks that were released as singles in the US (‘Night’/’Ruby’/’Mother’/’Helper’) and 3 totally unique songs to this compilation – ‘Ride On Baby’, 'My Girl' and ‘Sittin’ On A Fence’ that were not released on any domestic UK release at the time.

All in all it's very a strong compilation that showcases the variety of ‘Stones Sounds’ circa 1966/67….a combo of blues rock; a nod to Tamla Motown (with Mick's take on the Temptations/Smokey Robinson penned classic) ; whimsical, reflective folk toons;  and downright attitudanal rock n roll!

This ‘sample’ copy comes without an album sleeve but is housed within a Decca inner of the period. I wouldn’t have thought that there’d be many of these that were issued as ‘samplers’ given the nature of the release (50 to 100 copies at a guess ?), let alone general copies. These albums were solely meant for export to those countries in Europe, outside of the UK, that didn’t consider a domestic release for this title. Several European countries did release a version of this (Italy, West Germany etc), but in the main is considered more a USA only type release.

Matrix numbers – ARL7752-2A (Side 1): ARL7753-1A (Side 2) - Machine stamped. The 'ARL' stampers originate from London Records, USA (the Stones' USA label).

“Flowers” is a first pressing (practically all Decca sample products are first pressings), as the Inner Groove denotes the Mother/Stamper numbers as – 1B/1B (as per the Decca dating of Matrix codes and numbers – there are several websites on the net with an explanation of what I'm talking about)

This copy seems to have been sold possibly as a 2nd hand copy in 'The Island Record Shop' on the island of Jersey (as per the store sticker attached on one side of the record - I'm speculating the since there was no cover, some unthinking staffer placed a sticker meant for the back cover on the label). I'm also guessing that Decca sent a copy to the media on that isle to review/play on radio. The store sticker looks a vintage late 60’s/early 70’s. I happened upon this album in Brighton, England a number of years ago. By no means perfect, it appears that slight repair work was done to re-stick the top right edge of the sample sticker and thus with it has minor discolouration.

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Cover = N/A (English Decca inner of the period; I have housed this in a strong laminated die cut card outer sleeve for protection.

Record = A Strong VG (Looks VG, Plays closer to VG+. Hairlines, markings, a small scuff, and minor clicking - particularly at the start of 'Lady Jane', between some tracks, and in the odd quiet spot - but nothing untoward. No skips or loud scratches. Spindle wear evident. An extremely listenable but well played copy. This is a loudly mastered pressing.)

Original UK Red 'open' Decca FFRR MONO label from 1967. Decca labels in Very Good condition with a store sticker affixed on one side, and the sample sticker on the other. As mentioned, there appears to be light repair work and has discolouration on top right hand corner of the sample sticker.

This is an extremely rare and sought after album these days...the regular 'Blue Label' Stereo version of this LP is more common and appears more frequently for sale, as it was pressed as an Export for a decade or so (and on a series of different blue Decca labels). Possibly only pressed in Mono for 6 months to a year.

Oh yeah. If you hanker for a cover to house this gem, there are plenty of US second hand copies around to be had at reasonable prices! 

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Item will be well wrapped with bubble wrap and strong cardboard.

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