The Rolling Stones : Sticky Fingers A3 / B3 1st Press with Insert & fully working zip

This genuine first press plays to a superb standard with very little intrusion on the audio.  A couple of minor clicks and a small number of light ticks the vast majority does indeed play with STUNNING clarity, depth, power and warmth and is easily one of the finest first pressing I have ever listened to.  As always I have played every track in full and a 'complete' audio grading is given below.  As well the clarity it really is the depth of the audio that stands out - it plays with such a full deep and rich sound which resonates so well around the room!  The vinyl itself has some minor marking but this has no affect on the dynamic quality of the audio.

The cover is in lovely condition and has been so well preserved down the years.  It is without doubt one of the best examples I have ever seen and hopefully the photos do it justice!  The small zip still works perfectly and the area around the zip itself and the buckle is in superb shape with barely any wear.  The insert is almost 'as new' and the original inner sleeve is also in excellent condition.

As this is a first press there is no 'Promotone' info on the labels and the A3 / B3 matrix is the first known matrix for this album.  The small zip is unbranded and the cover is open at the top and bottom.

COC 59100 // A3 / B3 // T.M.L. ROLLING STONES RECORDS etched on both sides

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+ / T4 Near Mint-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T3 Ex+ / T5 Near Mint) 

The cover is a superb Ex+

The insert is Mint-

The labels are Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex+

Visual description

The vinyl is in excellent condition with a strong glossy sheen and has no scratches.  There are a few faint hairlines of which only a couple are a little more obvious but they are still small.  There are some minor specks and also a small area of 'clouding' on S2 but this has no affect on the superb audio.  So a couple of imperfections but this is still a very impressive looking vinyl for 52 years of age.  The run out grooves are very clean as are the yellow labels which do not have very much spindle wear.

Play grading

The instantly recognisable intro on 'Brown Sugar' plays to perfection with not even a dust tick and Jagger's opening vocal is equally as strong.  What a start!  It continues in the same precise way with a clarity and depth that cannot be beaten.  The sonic quality is STUNNING and I cannot find one single fault.  Every section plays with unbelievable quality and nowhere is that more obvious than during the sax solo.  I cannot put into words just how good a version this is!  The power of the audio is incredible and there is no distortion on the top end.  A sublime Mint start to this classic album.

'Sway' plays to a very similar standard with no clicks, pops or static.  I often find this track has a 'muddy' sound quality on the first / early pressings but the clarity here is very impressive.  A handful of insignificant dust ticks on the intro but from start to finish there is no intrusion on the audio here.  Richards' solo at the end is superb and there is no background on the fade out either!  Another Mint track.

The acoustic intro on 'Wild Horses' plays beautifully with only a small number of minor dust ticks and the quiet opening vocal is just as clean.  A handful of mega light static ticks but so quiet and totally non-intrusive.  This standard is kept up as it progresses and the clarity of sound really does stand out here - very noticeable during the acoustic mid instrumental.  There are 3/4 light ticks during the next verse but I only mention this to be 'complete' with my grading as they are not obvious, certainly not clicks!  The quiet acoustic section near the end plays so clearly with only a handful of very quiet ticks and some light static on the fade out.  Overall I would say Ex+ is a fair assessment of the audio but many sections are better than that.

The intro on 'Can't You Hear Me Knocking' is faultless and the first verse and chorus have no interference either.  In fact the entire 7+ minutes plays with exceptional power and with a depth that is enhanced so much by Wyman's deep bass.  Of course that depth of sound is only there because the vinyl has been so well preserved and only lightly played.  The long instrumental section plays with STUNNING quality and with just one light dull click towards the end.  The remainder plays with great precision and Near Mint- is deserved even with that one minor click.

'You Gotta Move' ends the side with near perfect clarity.  With only 3/4 mega light ticks on the intro the playback is so clean and there is no background static and no inner groove distortion either.  A superb Mint- version.  A stunning side of music!

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'Bitch' plays to the same high end standard with no intrusion on the audio.  Once again it's the depth of the audio that really stands out as well as the clarity of course.  The playback is so rich and deep and the end instrumental is a prime example of that, never heard better.  Jagger's vocal is so powerful throughout and this is Mint from start to finish.

The quiet intro on 'I Got The Blues' plays so clearly, it is more or less perfect with only a handful of mega light dust ticks.  The first vocal is just as clean and it continues in the same exact way with no clicks, pops or static.  Again I cannot believe what I am hearing!  This record has just turned 52 and for this relatively quiet track to play this well is a rarity.  There is literally nothing to detract from the audio.  A couple of light ticks on the fade out that is all and Mint- is more than deserved.

The acoustic intro on 'Sister Morphine' has a small number of light static ticks but still plays very clearly.  The first vocal is similar and has just one static / clicky sound at the end.  The next verse plays with stunning quality and as the pace and volume picks up the clarity and definition of the audio is superb i.e. 'as new'.  A hint of light static for a couple of seconds during the next quiet section and the remainder has no interference at all aside from a little static on the fade out.  Ex+ is fair although many sections are stronger than that.

'Dead Flowers' plays with impeccable quality from the first note to the last with no interference.  The sonic quality can again be described 'as new' and I only noticed a couple of barely audible ticks.  This is audio of the highest calibre and Mint- is richly deserved.  STUNNING!

The acoustic intro on 'Moonlight Mile' plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks.  The first verse is just as impressive and thereafter plays so well and... no clicks or pops etc.  The louder mid section plays with great power and again there is no inner groove distortion.  There is perhaps just a minimal touch of said distortion on the final powerful section but no more than you expect on such a clean vinyl and then the end quiet piece plays with wonderful clarity.  There is also no background on the fade out.  I will grade as Near Mint but arguably perhaps even that is a little harsh.

In summary this genuine first press plays to such a high standard with very little intrusion on the audio.  There is just one light click on each side and a small number of light ticks on a couple of tracks and in my opinion it would be difficult to find a 'cleaner' A3/B3 press.  The clarity, depth and warmth of the audio is stunning and even when I have graded two tracks as Ex+ the overall playback is still very impressive.  In conjunction with one of the finest covers I have EVER seen this will add to any 'high end' collection.

The Cover, Insert & Inner Sleeve

The famous cover is in lovely condition with only minimal wear and is certainly one of the cleanest examples you are every likely to see.  The small unbranded zip still works perfectly and for once the 'buckle' is in superb shape with no wear / creasing.  The small flap above it by the top edge just has one minor crease but is still fully intact and very clean.  There is a faint crease line just below the zip running up to the top edge but this is only obvious when you hold the cover at a certain angle, no doubt caused by the previous owner looking at the Andy Warhol 'stamp' / cotton briefs on the inside cover.  The rest of the front cover is super clean with only a couple of minor scratch lines and you can also see that the edges all round are in great condition with barely any rubbing and the corners are practically 'as new', the spine is 100% legible also.  The back cover is just as clean with only some of the usual indentations in one area where it was once rested against another Sticky Fingers zip in the record shop.  A few faint scratch lines around the same area also.  Overall this is a superb example of this iconic cover.

The two-sided insert is in fantastic condition and many would say 'brand new'.  I can just see one tiny and barely visible crease in one corner.  The plain white die-cut inner has no side splits or tears just some minor creasing and a little age related fading around the edges.

Play tested on my Rega P2 Turntable / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

COC 59100 // A3 / B3 // T.M.L. ROLLING STONES RECORDS etched on both sides

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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