ROLLING STONES It's Only Rock 'N' Roll UK 1974 1st press LP A2/B2 COC 59103 NM

	£		50
	$		66

                    THE ROLLING STONES - IT'S ONLY ROCK 'N' ROLL              

An increasingly rare (especially in condition as truly wonderful as this) and sought after copy of this 1974 UK 1st pressing rock classic on the ROLLING STONES label, STEREO COC 59103

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  COC 59103 A2 with stampers "B" and "20" at 4.30 o'clock and 2.30 o'clock respectively, with "ROLLING STONES RECORDS" etched at 4 o'clock

Side 2  COC 59103 B2 with stampers "C" and "13" at 10 o'clock and 5 o'clock respectively, with "ROLLING STONES RECORDS" etched at 3.30 o'clock

Note not only the earliest A2/B2 dead wax matrices but also the etched "ROLLING STONES RECORDS" text, each of which conspire to authenticate this as a UK very first pressing

The appearance of the vinyl is near mint. Completely flat and heavy vinyl and still retaining it's original beautiful glossy and jet black lacquered sheen. A true "gleamer". Under a bright light it's just possible to pick out just a few very fine, small wispy hairlines/pencil thin scuffs on side 1 but even these are only just detectable under a bright light and amount to nothing really; side 2 looks perfect, even under a bright light. Clearly this vinyl has only been played a few times and both the appearance in normal daylight and under close inspection with a bright light each supports this supposition. Outstanding, especially considering this record's 44 year antiquity. 

The labels are pristine. No blemishes with the iconic red Rolling Stones "tongue" logo, and all black text on the matt textured yellow background, in perfect condition. I can't even spot the usual one or two faint spindle trails, even under a bright light - there aren't any. Perfect!

The non-laminated, matt textured outer sleeve is near mint. All edges, including the spine, remain rigid with no scuffing whatsoever. The same can be said of the spine which is firm and with all text completely intact and perfectly legible...it's so rare that the spine itself of such a classic LP as this remains completely unmarked 44 years after it's date of manufacture but that is the case here. There is no fraying on either of the opening edges and all art work, photography and colouring remains completely intact with the vibrant, rich colouring and clarity as impressive as on the day this record was first purchased. No creases, no crinkles, no stains, no "nicks"...in fact the only blemish I can find is a small cluster (no bigger than the area of the nail on my small finger) of mild indentations on the reverse side just beside the "k" in "rock" - even these are only detectable when the sleeve is tilted at an angle in a bright light. If it wasn't for this very, very minor blemish I would have to grade the condition of the sleeve as "mint"!

The quality of the audio is superb. There is wonderful tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or clicks and no background crackle - stunning, with every track making for a great, great listen. There is the occasional nano second of background static but this is no more or less than what you would expect from a brand new piece of vinyl when first played. Wonderful, from start to finish with every track making for a great listen. Clearly this vinyl has had very few plays.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. If you can't rock me

2. Ain't too proud to beg

3. It's only Rock'n roll

4. Till the next goodbye

5. Time waits for no one

Side 2 :

1. Luxury

2. Dance little sister

3. If you really want to be my friend

4. Short and curlies

5. Fingerprint file

The original cardboard insert/inner is of course included and is in pristine condition with no creases, rips, tears, folds, "nicks", holes, blue tac residue, or even grubby fingermarks - perfect! 

Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary an absolutely wonderful condition copy (a definite "excellent plus" and I am sure many would grade as "near mint") of this increasingly rare and sought after 1974 UK original STEREO 1st pressing Rolling Stones classic -  worthy of gracing any vinyl collection and only continuing to gain in value. There can't be many UK first pressings left in better condition than this.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I am now retired and take great delight in being able to spend more time scouring the country and attending boot sales and auctions in the hope of unearthing more vinyl gems...I am 63 years of age now and am still discovering bands and music of the 60's and 70's that I have never come across before. Wonderful! Richard

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

** I DO POST WORLDWIDE ** 

For this item postage & packaging will be :

for the UK, Royal Mail 1st class, signed for  : £4.00, 

for continental Europe international tracked & signed for : £10.00

and for Rest of the World international tracked & signed for £14.00

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler