The Rolling Stones Their Satanic Majesties 1st UK press. Holy Grail original.

	£		125
	$		166

One of the most commonly used terms on Ebay in the vinyl record section is the word "RARE". Almost every time it is used to describe an album it is really pie in the sky and no relation to the truth. Of course, every so often an album comes up for sale that does indeed fulfill the criteria of "rare", and this is such an album.
For sale here today is an incredibly rare and totally 100% genuine first stereo pressing of the Stones album from 1967 "Their Satanic Majesties Request" Quite simply this is the earliest first UK pressing that I have ever seen come up for auction anywhere. This copy has all of the easily identifiable markers that ensure it is the real deal. Check out any other copy for sale currently and you will see how early this copy is. These following markers show exactly how early this copy was in the pressing run from Decca.

• Green unboxed Decca deep grooved labels.
•  No "Reg'd" text by the Decca logo.
• No "Made in England" text above the Decca logo, it states "Original recording".
• "KT" tax code at 12 o'clock (denotes pressing between July '63 and Nov '68.
• No playing speed on the labels.
• Both sides have the earliest mother indicator of "1".

This is seriously a major collectors item and in super condition for its age considering it was released in 1967. Having established that it is the genuine article, I will provide further information regarding the condition of its various all original parts.
The original cover is a strong and solid example. The lenticular (3D) front is really clean. It does have shelf-wear to the bottom edge. Has a 30mm graze just above the 3D image and a small circle of sticker residue in the top right corner which is almost impossible to see as it gets lost in the cover artwork detail. Spine is fully readable and clean, but there is some colour loss on the bumped corner area. Inside the gatefold cover is very clean and detailed. The rear is in great shape too. A really nice example of what is usually a much maligned album cover. I have to grade the cover (strictly to Record Collector guidelines) as very good. The original inner sleeve in magenta with "smoke" imaging is very solid with just some light creasing. One side has split to about half its length. There is a 6mm split forming at the end opposite the opening from the disc edge itself. The opening edge has some light damage, but no repairs done and all the paper is still there. All this will be evident in my photos. Have to grade as very good. The vinyl, bearing in mind that this is from 1967 and was The Stones venture into psychedelic music and all that involved at the time!! is in good shape. The quality of vinyl used by Decca at the time was pretty bomb proof. Heavy (155 grams) and very deep grooved, which insulated it from light scratches, which were mostly cosmetic. This has several marks to both sides. Nothing deep or feelable, but evident. The labels show some spindle trails to both sides. Down to the actual playing of this very rare and collectable vinyl. The record plays with huge clarity and power. It is a very dynamic recording, mastered by Decca's engineer Tony Hawkins. Superb presence and instrumental separation. Enhanced by direct cutting from the master as both sides have the mother stamper "1". On a complete listen, these are my comments on any issues:- On "The Lantern" it starts with a little crackle, and during this track the same can be heard during the quiet passages. On "2000 light years from home" there is some crackle at the start. On "2000 man" there is light crackle at the start. Then 4 "pops" during the track. On "Sing this all together" there is light background noise at the start and a little in quiet sections. Apart from these minor issues the album plays really well and just your normal lead-in and lead-out dead-wax background noise which all vinyl has. The sound quality is a real testament to a bygone era of vinyl quality and I have to realistically grade the sound quality certainly as very good or better.
Fully stamped identification markers are as follows:- Side One.... 2AL-8126-T2-4K.   Mother / stamper is 1  GU. Side Two....2AL-8127-T2-6K.    Mother / stamper is 1  GM. These are seriously early combinations. I have never seen earlier come up for sale.
So all in all, this is a really good example of the rarest copy of this album. Seriously, try and find another UK first pressing as early as this. I am sure you won't. This is as rare as hens teeth! Have a good look at my photos.
I accept returns with no issues if the record is not as described. I am happy to post within Europe but bidders from elsewhere will need to contact me first before bidding for postage cost. Postage is free only within the UK.  I will not under ANY circumstances post to Russia or any of its allies. I use very secure packaging and double internal stiffeners. I have never had an issue with damage, please refer to my seller feedback.
I will shortly be listing a first press of "Sticky Fingers" in great shape and working zip, Andy Warhol credits. Mark me as a saved seller to keep an eye out for that as well as some Pink Floyd UK first pressings including the desirable solid blue triangle A2/B2 DSOTM.
Any questions or if you require extra photos, please just let me know. Research the rarity.
This album has been in storage for over 40 years and the cover has a slightly musty smell, but it is getting less and less now that I have released it from it's prison. Please don't miss this one, the next one as early as this might never come along.