I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid / decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay generally collect at point of sale.  No shipping to Russia currently.

The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 4A / 2A 1st Mono Press 1968

This very first mono pressing plays to a very high standard with only minimal intrusion.  The vinyl is very clean and the only issue is one tiny scratch on S2, so small you can't even see it!  However, it does cause a stick unfortunately.  Aside from that the clarity and depth of the audio is very impressive but of course it does have some of that 'thin' sound mainly towards the end of each side that is always associated with this album.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and all of the fade outs are extremely clean also.  The 4A / 2A pressing is the first matrix for this mono album and the vinyl itself is certainly one of the cleanest I have seen.

The mono cover has to be finest example I have seen in many a year.  It has very little wear and is beautifully clean as hopefully the photos depict.  Just look at the spine!  So often it is found in poor condition but not this one.  The poly-lined inner sleeve is in excellent condition also. 

LK 4955  //  XARL-8476-4A  UH BC   ---   XARL-8477-2A  U 1

The audio S1 is Mint(-) (T4 Near Mint / T5 ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint) 

The audio S2 is Near Mint (T2 and T5 Near Mint- / T3 Ex-)

The gatefold is Ex+

The original inner sleeve is Ex

The Decca labels are Near Mint

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition and still has a strong glossy sheen.  S2 has one tiny scratch that you cannot see but can feel but aside from that it is very clean with only some faint hairlines.  The S2 run off has a little spotting in one small section but the matrix info and JT tax code can still easily be seen on both sides.  The red Decca labels are very clean with some spindle wear but not too much.

Play grading

The percussive intro on 'Sympathy For The Devil' plays with stunning clarity and Jagger's opening vocal section is on the same level with no intrusion at all.  It continues with that typical raw Stones sound - the power and depth is so strong and it builds with real quality.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and Richards' mid instrumental is superb with no distortion on the top end.  The next vocal section again has no background and to the end it plays with sublime quality and the long fade out has no background either.  This is one STUNNING version!  This album is renown for its 'thin' sound and for the bass level not being high in the mix but it just could not play any better.  Considering the production it is sonically so strong and Mint is richly deserved.

There is complete silence in the dead wax and then the acoustic intro on 'No Expectations' plays with impeccable precision.  The opening vocal is flawless and it proceeds in much the same way.  There is no interference and I only heard a minimal amount of vocal distortion on a handful of words.  Very very minimal!  I'm just keeping up my usual standards of grading i.e. stating any background even if totally non-intrusive.  Mint- is still a fair assessment of the audio.

'Dear Doctor' is of the same standard with no intrusion.  Once again the sonic quality can hardly be faulted.  A raw stripped down version and Mint- is again deserved.

The 'thin' sound often becomes more apparent towards the end of a side and 'Parachute Woman' is impacted to a degree.  Just being honest again!  However, there is still no actual interference - no ticks, clicks etc and the long fade out plays to perfection.  It seems a little harsh to downgrade it so I will say Near Mint accordingly.

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' plays very clearly and the opening vocal section has only a little inner groove distortion.  There is a little more as it progresses but you are expecting it.  You really cannot escape this 'thin' sound on the final track and especially on the first pressings.  In saying that it still plays with genuine power and... there is no interference from start to finish.  Let's say it ranges between Ex+ and Near Mint

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The intro on 'Street Fighting Man' is strong and clear with no intrusion and Jagger's first raw vocal is very similar.  It continues to play with tremendous power and depth and there is only a minimal amount of vocal distortion every now and then.  Instrumentally it is superb and the audio quality during these sections is high end indeed.  If you win this juts listen to the long fade out - Hopkins' piano notes are so clean, there is no background.  Near Mint

The intro on 'Prodigal Son' is 'as new' and the opening vocal is not far behind.  From then on there is no interference and only a little ubiquitous vocal distortion.  A minimal amount again.  Near Mint-

The gentle intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' plays with stunning clarity and this rock out number then plays with great definition for such a powerful track.  The only frustration is one 'stick' near the middle so you have to gently nudge the needle along.  I couldn't see it but I could feel one tiny scratch.  Soon after though the quieter section plays exceptionally well and the closing instrumental is superb.  I'll have to say Ex- because of that one infringement.  Maybe on a different system the stick wouldn't happen...

'Factory Girl' then plays with genuine quality through every section and Near Mint is well deserved.

The intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' is perfect and Richards' opening vocal is just as clean.  The next vocal from Jagger is much the same and thereafter plays very well with no interference.  Many of the vocal sections plays with great clarity and there is certainly less of that 'thin' sound here than on many other mono versions I have heard.  The instrumentals in general do have a more well defined sound and there is only minimal inner groove distortion on the final instrumental.  Another perfect fade out by the way.  Near Mint-

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The laminated mono cover is in excellent condition and for once the spine is very clean!  The edges have hardly any rubbing - there is just a little by the top right hand corners.  So yes the spine is probably the best I have seen on a mono cover and remains 100% legible with only some of the usual compression but not too much.  The corners have only minimal wear and the opening edge is so close to perfect.  The front cover is stunning with only a couple of minor edge creases and the back cover is very impressive with only minor creasing in the top left corner.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and overall Ex+ is a fair grade in my opinion.

The original inner is in excellent order with no side splits and just one small tear on the central aperture.  It has some light creasing and a little browning around the edges.

LK 4955  //  XARL-8476-4A  UH BC   ---   XARL-8477-2A  U 1

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

This record has been cleaned on my Pro-Ject VC-S machine

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

UK Postage Rates (First Class Recorded - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £20.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £19.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!