ROLLING STONES BIG HITS HIGH TIDE & GREEN GRASS 1966 UK DECCA 1st PRESS EX COPY!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection. 

On offer here is a superb copy of the first compilation album by The Rolling Stones titled "Big Hits [High Tide And Green Grass]", Catalogue Number TXL 101. It's a 1966 UK mono 1st pressing on the Unboxed Decca record label, with a 1st issue Robert Stace fully-laminated gatefold sleeve with stapled-in 6-page picture booklet. It comes complete with the correct Decca inner sleeve. [The sleeve is the earliest possible design without the stereo/mono cut-out hole in the top right corner of the back cover and the picture booklet stapled in. The Decca labels have unboxed Decca logos and a pronounced inner groove. The stamped record matrix numbers are XARL-7503-1A and XARL-7504-4A].

The sleeve is in EX condition with only light signs of wear and a few minor creases. The front and back covers are unmarked. The spine is square and solid with all text clearly legible. The stapled picture booklet is fully intact with just 2 short 1cm tears to the top edges of pages 2 and 3 (see close-up photos). Overall it's a very nice sleeve indeed. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record retains its original shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually it is in EX condition with just a few superficial sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are purely superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The turquoise Decca labels are unmarked with just a few short spindle traces near the centres. There is minimal wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and a minimum of unwanted noise. The monoaural sound is dynanic and vibrant with great bass. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect. 

The Decca inner sleeve has some creasing and age discoloration, but no splits or tears. 
 

Overall this is a highly collectible first press copy of The Rolling Stones first hits compilation album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

Please note that I'm away from home from 25th to 29th August, so if the LP is bought during that period I won't be able to post it until Friday 30th.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50