The Rolling Stones : Exile On Main St A1/B1/C1/D2 inc all Postcards

This may well be the finest example of this classic album that I have ever sold.  It is a very eary pressing and all four sides play with incredible quality and barely any intrusion.  The vinyls are visually stunning and have clearly not been played very much at all.  I cannot overstate just how well it plays!

The iconic cover is in fantastic condition with hardly any wear and the corners and spines are the cleanest I have seen!  The often missing 12 original postcards are still connected and in perfect condition and the picture inners also look to have hardly been handled.  A superb 'package' that has been so well preserved over its near 50 year lifetime!

With international shipping (including Europe now) I will declare a lower amount so as to decrease/avoid any Customs' fees.

COC 69100  A1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722507 (etched)

COC 69100  B1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722508 (etched)

COC 69100  C1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722509 (etched)

COC 69100  D2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722510 (etched)

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

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The audio on S3 is Mint(-) (T5 Near Mint)

The audio on S4 is Mint(-) (T3 & T4 Near Mint)

The cover is Near Mint-

The 12 postcards are Mint

The picture inners are Mint-

The labels are Near Mint

Visual grading

The vinyls are in beautiful condition and retain an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen.  They have been so carefully handled down the years!  There are no marks or scratches and has only one faint hairline affect on the final track - this can only be seen when you hold the record at a certain angle, it is only minor.  They really are in fantastic condition and at first glance they look 'as new' they are that impressive.  The run out grooves are also super clean and the labels have no marking and only very minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

S1 plays with imperious quality and 'Rocks Off' kicks things off in fine style with a sonic quality that is equal to that of an un-played record, it is STUNNING!  The raw energy of 'Rip This Joint' more than keeps up this exemplary standard with incredible power and depth.  'Shake Your Hips' is just as impressive with only a minimal hint of distortion but in all honesty you hardly notice it.  So far there have been no ticks, clicks, pops or static and 'Casino Boogie' is also super 'clean' with not even a dust tick on the fade out which is a good indicator of the clarity on offer here.  The power and definition throughout this track is superb!  'Tumbling Dice' ends the side with very strong audio but with some of the usual inner groove distortion that you always find.  Still a great listen though!  I will grade it as Near Mint but the preceding tracks are Mint- for sure.

The acoustic intro on 'Sweet Virginia' has to be heard to be believed!  The clarity is exceptional and it continues to play with a quality that is second to none.  An immaculate Mint start to S2.  'Torn & Frayed' and 'Black Angel' have no interference and play with great clarity once more and 'Loving Cup' plays with genuine quality for a final track.  There is no obvious distortion and the deep bass sound is superb!  This side is Mint- from start to finish with no sign of any interference.

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'Happy' on S3 is Mint from the first note to the last, no further need to elaborate!  'Turd On The Run' again shows just how well this album has been looked after and plays without any interference.  'Ventilator Blues' has only a couple of barely audible dust ticks on the intro and then plays with perfect clarity and power for the remainder.  The segue into 'I Just Wanna See His Face' has no 'background' and it continues to play so clearly with literally no intrusion.  This is a relatively quiet track and yet the clarity is first class.  'Let It Loose' ends the side with stunning quality from the get go.  The quietest track thus far and yet the intro and opening vocal have no intrusion whatsoever.  It continues in pretty the same way with only minimal distortion towards the end.  Perhaps this isn't worthy of mention because this is vinyl and final tracks are often affected in this way.  I will however grade as Near Mint but...no ticks, clicks, pops or static.

'All Down The Line' is 'as new' from start to finish with no interference, a Mint start for sure.  'Stop Breaking Down' has only a couple of very light ticks on the intro and then plays with tremendous power and clarity and again no intrusion on what is a superb listen.  The quiet intro on 'Shine A Light' plays perfectly with not even a single dust tick and continues in the same manner.  A stunning version that has only one tick and light click on the fade out.  'Soul Survivor' ends this classic album with great power and only very minimal groove distortion and in no way affects the listening enjoyment.  I will grade the final two tracks as Near Mint but they could hardly play any better.    

In summary this very early pressing plays with stunning quality across all four sides with barely any interference. It is without doubt one of the finest examples I have ever owned and when you consider the visual quality of the vinyls it is not surprising it plays so well!  The clarity and power of the audio is so impressive and this album has been extremely well preserved over the last 49 years.  The records have only been lightly played and as always I have played every track in full so as to provide a 'complete' grading.  More concise than usual but an honest and thorough grading nonetheless.

The Cover, Picture Inners & Postcards

The fold-out cover is in fantastic condition and for once has hardly any corner wear.  The edges and thick spines are super clean with no marking and they have all retained their original shape with no compression.  As stated the corners are still very strong and clean with only a miniscule amount of wear, the best I have seen in a long time.  The front and back cover are in lovely condition and both are unmarked.  The inside is immaculate with an inner spine and opening edge as strong as they were back in '72.  A stunning example overall.

The card picture inners are 'as new' with no marking or side splits and no creasing.  Both 'opening edges' are pristine also.  The sought after postcards are in perfect condition and all 12 are still connected.

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

The records have been cleaned on a Pro-Ject VC-S machine

COC 69100  A1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722507 (etched)

COC 69100  B1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722508 (etched)

COC 69100  C1 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722509 (etched)

COC 69100  D2 (stamped) // ROLLING STONES RECORDS ST-RS-722510 (etched)

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

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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.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE WILL BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO PLACED INSIDE A PVC SLEEVE TO PROVIDE EXTRA PROTECTION. I PRIDE MYSELF ON MY HIGH QUALITY PACKAGING AS MY FEEDBACK TESTIFIES AND IF ANY CUSTOMER HAS ANY SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS I WILL ALWAYS ENDEAVOUR TO HELP.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £17.45 then £1.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £23.95 then £2.00 per extra

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!