The Rolling Stones : Exile On Main St A1 / B1 / C2 / D1 1st Press w/Postcards

This first variation on the first pressing plays with sublime clarity, depth and power on all four sides and only one track on S2 has any interference which last for only 5 seconds!  Aside from that the audio cannot be faulted and I have not heard many Exile's that play as well as this.

The cover has been very well cared for down the years with only minimal wear and the rare and elusive postcards are also included!  Plus they are all still attached.

The original inners are also in superb shape with no side splits.

COC 69100 // A 1 / B1 / C2 / D1

ST - RS - 722507/08/09/10 & ROLLING STONES RECORDS etched on the run out grooves 

The audio on S1 is Mint-

The audio on S2 is Mint- (T1 G+ for 5 seconds)

The audio on S3 is Mint-

The audio on S4 is Mint-

The cover is Ex

The postcards are Mint (one is Near Mint!)

The labels are Mint-

The inner sleeves are Ex+

Visual grading

Both records are in superb condition with a lovely glossy sheen and they have hardly ever been played judging by the minimal amount of spindle wear (very minimal!) and audio quality.  They have been so well preserved over the decades and the only negative really is one mega tiny 2mm scratch that you can hardly see on S2.  Otherwise they are super clean with only a handful of very faint sleeve hairlines and a small number of faint 'specks'.  The second record in particular is stunning!  All run out grooves and labels are also very clean with no markings.

Play grading

Having play tested every track in full (as I always do!) I can safely say that S1 plays with stunning quality throughout.  Starting with 'Rocks Off' the audio could not plays with any greater depth or clarity.  Even the quieter mid section plays beautifully with no 'background' and the fade out has only a handful of dust ticks right at the end.  This is Mint- in my opinion.

The high octane 'Rip This Joint' plays loud and true with no interference or distortion.  Mint

'Shake Your Hips' has perfect clarity on the intro and continues in exactly the same with no sign of any 'background'.  Superb definition of the audio here and Mint all the way!  The long fade out has not one dust tick!

'Casino Boogie' is of the same standard and...there is no 'background' aside from a handful of mega light ticks at the end of the fade out.  A fantastic version that grades as Mint-

'Tumbling Dice' again has no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either.  Despite being the final track on the side there is very little inner groove distortion and Mint- is deserved.

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The acoustic intro on 'Sweet Virginia' plays with stunning clarity, just a handful of barely audible ticks, but after 25 seconds there are 5 rather intrusive clicks sadly.  This is frustrating because from then on it plays without fault, the playback is 'as new' no exaggeration.  So this is Mint but with a very short G+ section.

No such problem with 'Torn And Frayed' which has super 'clean' audio from start to finish, just one tick at the end of the fade out.  Mint-

'Sweet Black Angel' goes one better and grades as Mint as there is no 'background' of any kind not even on the fade out.  It plays as well as it did back in '72!

'Loving Cup' ends the side with no interference and barely and no distortion which makes a change.  The piano intro is flawless and that applies to the remainder - Mint- without a doubt.

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Both 'Happy' and 'Turd On The Run' on S3 play with sublime clarity and power with no interference at all.  They have that classic raw Stones sound and grade as Mint again :-)

The quiet intro on 'Ventilator Blues' has no 'background' providing another example of a record so well preserved and hardly ever played.  It continues to play with exemplary power and depth with no intrusion on the audio.  Mint

The segue into 'I Just Wanna See His Face' is nigh on perfect with a couple of dust ticks and the entire percussive intro plays like the record was only pressed yesterday!  The audio is equally as good once the 'vocal' begins and to the end it plays with supreme quality.  This is a track where there is no hiding place for any interference and yet the clarity from start to finish is of a very high calibre.  A couple of mega light ticks towards the end but Mint- for sure.

The superb quiet intro on 'Let It Looose' plays beautifully with only a couple of seconds of very light static and continues to play with great clarity and depth.  There is just no 'background' of any kind unless you count a small number of inconsequential dust ticks as 'background'!  This is a stunning Mint- version.

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'All Down The Line' plays with stunning quality from the first note to the last.  How often has this LP been played?!  With only a couple of barely audible ticks this is as close to audio perfection as is possible.  Great power and definition and no distortion on this 'loud' track at all.  Mint- again :-)

'Stop Breaking Down' has next to no static on the intro and as Jagger comes in there is no let up in quality.  A real highlight here are the guitar solos, they play with such precision and and definition.  A very strong Mint- track.

The quiet intro on 'Shine A Light' has to be heard to be believed!  The clarity is 'as new' and I am delighted to say this fantastic 'sound' does not diminish in any way.  I always go on about clarity but that is how any vinyl should be judged of course and the clarity here is just outstanding!  The quieter section towards the end also plays beautifully with no intrusion and to the final note the playback is awesome!  As complete a version you could ever wish for and Mint is a true and honest appraisal of the immaculate quality on offer here.

'Soul Survivor' ends the album in fine style with no clicks or pops and only a minimal touch of inner groove distortion.  It is hardly worth a mention really as the playback is very impressive with no obvious intrusion.  A very powerful Mint- version to end this classic album.

In summary this is so close to being a final upgrade album and it is only the 5 seconds of interference on S2 that keeps it from being so.  Otherwise you could not wish to find a first pressing playing with such sublime quality.  Apart from that one track there are no other clicks or pops and I cannot stress enough how incredibly well this double album plays!  Both vinyls are incredibly 'clean' and there cannot be around like this today!  The cover is also in lovely condition and just to repeat the rare postcards are included!

The Cover & Postcards

The gatefold is still very strong and robust and has very little shelf wear.  All four wide edges have no rubbing/marking but there is some creasing on the corners and this is a little more obvious on the top two.  Nothing major though and there are no tears.  The red writing of the title and band name etc is 100% legible on one of the right hand thick spine.  The thinner edges of the front cover have only a minimal amount of rubbing.  The front cover is in superb condition with no marking or creasing and the back cover is almost as good with only a couple of faint scratch lines.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate with no marking.  A very fine example of overall.

For once the 12 postcards are present and perhaps even more rarely they are all still attached.  They are in perfect condition apart from the final one which has a very small corner crease.

The Inner Sleeves

The thick card inners are in excellent condition with only a couple of corners creases on each.  No marking etc.

The Labels

They are perfect condition with no marking or writing and have lost none of their original strong yellow colour.  There is barely any spindle wear, hardly played in my opinion.  Stunning examples!

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 // A 1 / B1 / C2 / D1

ST - RS - 722507/08/09/10 & ROLLING STONES RECORDS etched on the run out grooves 

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

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