Rolling Stones London RSD-1 Mega-Rare Original 1969 US Promotional

$

925

One of the rarest Rolling Stones LPs.  This promo was issued by London in 1969, ostensibly to augment the two Rolling Stones Greatest Hits commercial releases (High Tide and Green Grass and Through the Past, Darkly) ahead of a worldwide Rolling Stones tour.  There has been plenty of discussion over the years about how many of these were issued, but 200 to the UK and 200 to the US is the most consistent estimate (the UK release was on Decca RSM.1 but it used the same cover as the US version with the RSD-1 numbering).  There are a few more radio stations in the US than the UK so it might be fair to say that the 200 estimate for the US release is low, but who knows.  This is an authentic original copy, purchased by me 12-13 years ago on eBay.  Run off matrixes are ZAL-9241-1 and ZAL-9206-A.  There is also a stamped symbol on each side that I describe as an upside down T with an oval at its top.  The sleeve is the heavy US-style cardboard.  Spine includes printed "The Rolling Stones" and "London RSD-1".  Vinyl Side 2 grades VG+++: only a handful of superfine hairlines; a small smudge mark that causes a very light click for three rotations at the start of Track 5, otherwise a NM play.  Vinyl Side 1 grades a strong VG+: there is a long thin mark that extends from half way through track 2 to the label (see photo), I cannot feel this mark, I have played through the side and there is no audible effect of the mark even in the quiet between tracks; this is a NM play but I drop the grade to VG+ for the visual.  Labels grade VG+++ with a couple light spindle marks, otherwise NM.  Outer sleeve grades a solid VG+: very light rubbing and ring wear; someone has made ten small checkmarks next to certain song titles on back cover (and then it looks like someone has tried to erase them); slick is wrinkled along spine but unbroken except for a couple of small cracks (see photo); one very light corner ding; no splits; solid spine; photos and graphics are clear and bright.  Just a super copy of a Stones rarity.  See my other Rolling Stones compilations in this week's auctions, including the Abkco London "Songs Of" LP.    
Free domestic US standard shipping!  See below for cost of US Priority Shipping.  
I ship using new packaging materials specifically designed for vinyl, no shipping in a used Tide box or a retrofitted USPS box!  I almost always ship within two days, usually the next day, and will have a notice in my store on the rare occasions I am not able to meet that timeframe.  Shipping cost includes the cost of the materials.  And, of course I will combine shipping.  I make no money on shipping, what you pay is what I pay! 
I am happy to ship Internationally.  Note that International rates depend upon the value of the item and where you live.  Please disregard eBay's automatic shipping calculator for International shipping, wait for my invoice!  Anything under $125 going anywhere will go by First Class International, the least expensive US mailing service.  Anything over $125 going anywhere except packages going to Japan, UK, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia or Germany (all of these listed countries continue to qualify for the less expensive First Class International shipping) requires Priority International with tracking.  Priority International is the least expensive US International shipping option that provides insurance and full tracking.  I prefer not to organize it this way, but due to concerns and problems with certain postal services, I need to protect myself on higher priced items.  Finally, anything over $250 going anywhere requires Priority International with tracking unless prior arrangements are made (and I will make exceptions for overseas customers who have successfully purchased from me previously, but this must be agreed in advance).  Again, this is for my protection since I have responsibility for the packages until they're delivered to you.  For all packages sent by Priority International,  I pay the cost of insurance and do not charge for the packing materials, to help defray the shipping cost.  Also be aware that USPS regulations require the value be written on Priority International custom forms in order to qualify the insurance.  On the bright side, packages do get their quicker.  I am certainly interested in minimizing shipping related costs, since I realize they are high, so don't hesitate to message me to discuss options (but please do this before bidding or buying):

• PRIORITY 12" DOMESTIC: 1-3 12" for $12; 4-6 12" for $20; 7-9 12" for $23
• FIRST CLASS INTERNATIONAL 12": (Canada $5 less) 1 12" for $21.50; 2 for $24; 3 for $28; 4 for $37, 5-9 for $52.  
• PRIORITY INTERNATIONAL:  Depending upon your location, 1-2 LPs will cost approximately $40 to ship, 3 LPs about $45.  I cannot give a precise cost here since they vary by country but those estimates are reliably close.    

Quotes provided for others quantities or mixed shipments. 

• Mint (M) (only if sealed).  Not used for 7".
• Near Mint (NM): Very little evidence of use, glossy surface, minimal vinyl marking; labels are clean and crisp with no writing, ring wear or significant spindle marking; jackets are clean and square, no writing, no splits, no ring wear.
• Very Good+ (VG+) : Vinyl shows use but has been well cared for, surface has light scuffs or very light scratches (not feelable) that will not significantly degrade the sound; labels are clean with only minor ring wear, any writing or sticker/residue is discrete, only slight soiling or dirtiness, drill hole OK if label otherwise clean; jackets are clean with no more than light ring wear, minor corner dings, if writing on the cover it is discrete, no more than one slight seam split, light creasing, cutout hole or corner only if rest of jacket is free of defects - multiple flaws of the types described will drop grade.
• Very Good (VG): Vinyl shows significant use with more scuffing or light scratches but will play through without skipping, may be slight warping but will play through (without having to tape a penny to the tonearm like the old days!) and nothing that will cause a significant bobbing of the tone arm, will have surface noise particularly at intro and in soft passages, diminished or irregular gloss; labels may have significant ring wear, more prominent writing or stickers/residue, drill hole, more soiling or dirtiness; sleeves may have multiple splits, writing, creasing, soiling or dirtiness, drill holes or cut corners, and/or ring wear.  This is a common grade for older 45's - they were often stored outside of the sleeve which lead to multiple light surface hairline scratches which have not caused significant damage to the vinyl grooves - they will still afford an enjoyable listen.
• Good (G): Infrequent grade usually only applied to rare items, or to one aspect (i.e. the sleeve) if another aspect (i.e. the vinyl) is a significantly higher grade.  Vinyl may have significant scuffing or scratching, poor gloss, significant noise on playing but should play through; labels may have glaring writing, significant ring wear, extensive sticker residue, dirtiness; sleeves may have substantial ring wear, extensive seam splitting, taping, prominent writing.