The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 3A/4A 1st Press Mono unboxed red Decca label

This first mono pressing on the unboxed Decca label is a FINAL UPGRADE time-warp classic of that I am certain.  In all my years I have never seen or heard a mono pressing as impressive as this.  Visually it is stunning and the quality of the audio is exceptional.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and the clarity can hardly be faulted.  There is just a little inner groove distortion on the final track of each side that you always find.  This is an album that has been beautifully preserved down the years.

The famous cover is also the finest 'mono' example I have ever seen and is as close to perfect as is possible.  It is STUNNING!  How the previous owner maintained it as well as this I'll never know!  It has clearly not been handled very much based on how strong and robust it still is.  I can also tell you that the record has not been played that much judging by the sonic quality and the minimal spindle wear.

This first mono pressing also has the first known label variation.  It has the Times New Roman font, the Tax Code is at the bottom of the label, the side number and Publishers are on the left side of the spindle hole.

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-4A / XARL-8477-3A // BH 2B / BG 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint) 

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint) 

The gatefold is Near Mint

The labels are Near Mint

The original inner sleeve is Ex

Visual grading

If you are lucky enough to win this LP then you will not be disappointed with its amazing visual quality!  It still has that immaculate jet-black glossy sheen that only well preserved records have.  There are no marks or scratches and there is only one small hairline on S2 that is a little obvious.  Other than that I can only detect a small number of barely visible sleeve removal hairlines but this is without doubt a stunning example of this rare and collectable album.  At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking this was a recently pressed vinyl the grooves are so clean!  The runout grooves are also super clean and the matrix info can easily be read.  The labels have only a little spindle wear and no marking or writing and they have retained their deep red colour incredibly well.

Play grading

The percussive intro on the classic 'Sympathy For The Devil' is 'as new' with no intrusion and this quality is maintained during the first vocal.  It continues to play with stunning clarity and power and with that unmistakable raw Stones sound.  This truly is a phenomenal version - let's not forget this is a genuine first mono pressing and for it to play as impressively as this is a real rarity, I cannot praise it highly enough.  There are no ticks, clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  In essence this is as good as it was when first purchased back in late '68!  Even the long fade out has no 'background' not even a dust tick.  As perfect a start that you could wish for and Mint is fully deserved.  No need for a minus here!

The acoustic intro on 'No Expectations' provides further evidence of a vinyl that has only been lightly played and so well preserved down the years.  It has no interference and thereafter plays with age defying quality!  Each note is so sharply defined and there is no 'muddiness' to the sound whatsoever which is of course another indicator of a hardly played record.  The clarity throughout is exceptional and Mint is again an honest appraisal of the audio.  I don't use the 'Mint grade' loosely by the way - there is nothing to be gained from over-selling a vinyl and only by listening to every track in full can I provide a 'complete' grading.  I just write what I hear!

'Dear Doctor' is of the same 'high end' standard quality with not one iota of interference and so far you cannot fault the audio on this side!  From start to finish this plays with stunning power and definition and...no 'background'.  The sonic quality is outstanding and this just demands to be graded as Mint - what a version!

The intro on 'Parachute Woman' plays perfectly as does the first vocal.  It continues to play with sublime power and for once has very little of the distortion that you always find on this track.  Any collector will know what I mean and I am sure it is due to how the record was recorded/manufactured.  This is such a strong version and you can easily turn it up to max without having to turn it down immediately!  Oh and no interference either plus another perfect fade out.  I will grade as Mint- just to be cautious :-)

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' is superb and the first vocal section cannot be faulted either.  It continues to play with incredible power and clarity and the mid instrumental is stunning.  There is only a minimal amount of the 'tinny' distortion and as I am always at pains to point out there is no escaping it!  This is also a mono record being played through a stereo set up.  It plays loud and true and the second half is so often affected by this distortion by quite a degree but not here!  Like I say there is only a minimal amount and the playback remains so powerful and clean and again there is literally no interference.  The long fade out is 100% perfect with no 'background' and this is undoubtedly the finest version of this classic that I have heard on a first mono pressing.  Near Mint is a fair grade here - what a side!

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The raw energy of 'Street Fighting Man' is stunning!  Raw is the right word here - it has that immense raw power and depth that you only find on the mono pressings and I cannot overstate just how good this version is!  You will not be surprised to hear there is no interference and the playback is quite simply awesome from start to finish!  The sonic quality has lost none of its original quality over the last 52 years and Mint is an easy grade to give.

The acoustic intro on 'Prodigal Son' is 'as new' and continues in that way also.  It is getting difficult to describe each track in an 'individual' way now but suffice to say this plays with remarkable quality from the first note to the last with not even a dust tick for company.  Yet another immaculate Mint track.

The intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' plays with stunning precision with just the one light dust tick.  The first vocal is faultless and there is only a minimal amount of vocal distortion as the volume increases which lasts for only a couple of seconds.  Hardly noticeable really!  From then on it plays with tremendous power and...no interference.  The instrumental section that closes the track is unbelievably good with a long fade out that once again shows off the clarity in all its glory i.e. perfect!  Mint-

'Factory Girl' plays with wonderful precision from the first note to the last.  No ticks, clicks, pops and no underlying static - every note is so 'clean' and...you know the grade.

The acoustic intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' plays perfectly and the first verse is of the same standard.  It continues to play without any interference but does have a little of distortion on the top end.  If you can accept this as given (it is unavoidable as I said previously) then the audio is very impressive indeed.  There are no ticks or clicks and it ends with another perfect fade out.  A Near Mint finish to this exceptional album.

In summary this vinyl is not only visually stunning but the audio is by far the most impressive I have ever discovered on a first mono pressing.  The sonic quality is of a standard so rarely found today and it has been so well preserved down the decades.  Clarity is the most important factor where audio is concerned and the clarity here is just phenomenal!  There are no ticks, clicks or pops on either side and every intro and fade out plays with infinite precision.  The dead wax between tracks is also incredibly clean and I only noticed a couple of light ticks between two tracks on S2.  You could not find greater clarity or power and this definitely qualifies as a FINAL UPGRADE album in my opinion.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

The G & L laminated 'mono' cover is in fantastic condition and hopefully the photos do it justice.  The edges are pristine and just look at the spine!  So often it is found worn/damaged and yet this one remains in superb shape with only minor creasing/compression.  It goes without saying that it is still 100% legible.  It has only very minimal rubbing on the top corner and the other corners are incredibly clean with hardly any wear.  The opening edge is very clean with only minimal handling wear on the first edge and the front cover is absolutely stunning!  It has a lovely glossy sheen with just one faint indent/scratch line and a couple of minor creases both next to the spine.  There is no laminate damage and the back cover is just as good with only a couple of small indentations no doubt caused by a Sticky Fingers zip!  They are so faint and can only be seen when held at a certain angle.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate, 'as new' in fact and you would not be disappointed if you had just picked up this cover straight from the rack!  It is by far the most stunning example of a mono cover that I ever seen and to think it is 52 years old!

The original poly-lined inner is in excellent condition with no side splits or tears and hardly any creasing.  It just has a little writing in one top corner.

Play tested on my Pro-Ject Essential III Turntable / B&W 684 Speakers

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

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-4A / XARL-8477-3A // BH 2B / BG 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

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Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

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