ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, 1971 UK 1st ISSUE C/W ULTRA RARE GATEFOLD COVER!

ROLLING STONES, STICKY FINGERS, 1971 UK 1st ISSUE C/W ULTRA RARE GATEFOLD COVER!

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Description

It's my pleasure to offer for sale a lovely copy of The Rolling Stones' brilliant studio album titled Sticky Fingers, Catalogue Number COC 59100. It's a 1971 UK stereo first issue on the Rolling Stones Records label, with an ultra rare (withdrawn) first issue Andy Warhol designed gatefold zip sleeve. It comes complete with the Photo/Credits insert and the original white inner sleeve. [The sleeve is the fabled withdrawn gatefold version with the small zip pull and crimped spine ends. The record matrix numbers are stamped COC 59100 A3 and COC 59100 B3. "T.M.L. ROLLING STONES RECORDS" is etched in the run-outs of both sides. The photo/credits insert was printed by TWEN in Germany as were many of the UK first issue photo/credits inserts. They were either printed by Richard Davis Ltd. or TWEN].

The iconic gatefold sleeve with fully working zip is in VG+ condition (strictly graded) with only light wear and a few creases. The front and back covers are unmarked and the spine text is fully legible. Overall it's a lovely example. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually both sides are in VG+ condition (again strictly graded) due to a few rub type marks caused by pressure from the zip during storage. These are largely superficial and have minimal effect on the audio playback. The yellow Rolling Stones Records labels are like new with no obvious spindle traces. It is clear that the reord has only received a few careful plays from new. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The rub marks from the zip cause a few light ticks in a couple of places but these are transient and do not detract from the listening experience. It is well documented that many of the 1971 pressings of Sticky Fingers were of poor quality and suffered from high levels of residual surface sound due to the overuse of mother stampers. This particular pressing plays very cleanly with an absolute minimum of unwanted surface sound throughout the whole record. The sound quality is very powerful and vibrant, but also with lots of wonderful acoustic guitar passages.

The photo/credits insert is in excellent unmarked condition with just a couple of minor creases.

The plain white inner sleeve is in excellent condition with no splits or tears.
 

Overall this is a superb barely-played first issue of arguably The Rolling Stones' most accomplished studio album with an ultra rare gatefold sleeve which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

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 - £8.50

Worldwide - £11.50