The Rolling Stones : Aftermath 4B / 4A Early Mono Pressing on red Decca label

This pressing on the red Decca label is un-grooved so is not one of the first pressings and according to the stonesondecca site was pressed in 1969 as there is no tax code on the labels.  So this is still an early pressing and for 50 years old it is in superb condition and rarely seen as visually stunning as this, a full description is given below.

The clarity, warmth and definition of the audio can only be from a vinyl that has hardly been played and that is backed up by its incredible visual 'look' and the fact that there is barely any spindle wear.  The playback is stunning!

The cover is also in time warp condition and remains so clean!  It has no marking / staining and is one of the finest I have ever seen and has no laminate damage either.  The original red 'mono' inner is also in fantastic condition.

Royal Mail shipping costs have massively increased recently and they are shown below.  The cost can vary depending on what my estimate of the final sale price will be i.e. if tracking / extra insurance is required.

LK 4786 // XARL - 7209 - 4B / XARL - 7210 - 4A // AH 1 / UH 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (Track 2 Ex / Track 7 Near Mint)

The cover is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-
The inner mono sleeve is Near Mint
Visual grading

It does not get much better than this!  The vinyl is visually stunning with an immaculate jet-black glossy sheen and has clearly hardly ever been played, a time warp classic!  There are no scratches and S1 is near pristine with just one tiny 'speck' and I cannot find any obvious hairlines at all.  S2 is almost as good with only a small number of very faint hairlines.  Under a bright light I can see that the first half of track 2 has a very slight faded look which may account for the audio but I could not see this in natural light.  A pressing fault I would say.  It does not take away from what is a mega impressive vinyl!  At first glance you would think it was 'as new' I am sure.  There is barely any spindle wear and the run out grooves are also super clean.

Play grading

The lead in grooves on S1 are super clean and 'Mother's Little Helper' then plays with exceptional clarity and 'as new' is no exaggeration.  As stated this vinyl has hardly been played and that is reflected in the sonic quality we have here on the opening track.  A stunning Mint version I can confidently say.

'Stupid Girl' plays with remarkable quality from the first groove and again there is no 'background' of any kind.  From start to finish the clarity and depth of the audio is incredible.  Another Mint track.

The gentle acoustic intro on the classic 'Lady Jane' plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and as the vocal begins there is no let up in quality.  It continues in the same manner and is quite possibly the finest versions I have ever heard and of course there is no hiding place being such a quiet track!  Every note plays with sublime precision and already I cannot believe how this side is playing.  The playback is as per a recently pressed vinyl but with the added depth and warmth you only get from vinyls produced in the 60s.  An immaculate Mint version.  Wow!

The bass heavy intro on 'Under My Thumb' has no 'background' and proceeds to play with stunning quality.  There is one light tick near the halfway point but it is very quiet and non-intrusive.  The remainder is faultless and even the fade out plays has literally no interference.  A Mint- grade is an honest assessment here.

The brief percussive intro on 'Doncha Bother Me' has no 'background' and it proceeds to play with sensational clarity and definition.  There is no distortion when the volume suddenly picks up in the middle section and the following instrumental piece is 'as new' without a doubt.  The remainder is faultless and the fade out has only a couple of dust ticks but to all intents and purposes this is Mint from start to finish.

'Goin' Home' plays with stunning clarity from the first note and continues to defy its age the more you get into this 11 minute plus track.  This level of sonic quality can only come from a barely played record and with so many quiet sections the clarity here is just STUNNING!  Again each note can be heard so clearly and a prime example of this is during the 'I just can't wait...' section around the 4 minute mark when you can so easily hear the harmonica which is played very much in the background.  There are no clicks or pops and no static or crackle either not even during the super quiet section after 6 minutes.  This is perhaps the most 'complete' version I have heard and the only 'background' are two very dull light ticks around 8 minutes due to one tiny 'speck', so quiet they could easily be missed.  The remainder plays with wonderful quality and that applies to not only the very quiet passages but also the 'high octane' sections that have no inner groove distortion.  This is rare for any final track and especially a mono one being played through a stereo system.  I am more than happy to grade this as Mint- it is a stunning version in every way.

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The piano intro on 'Flight 505' could not play any better and it continues to play with that classic raw Stones sound.  From the opening groove to the last there is no interference and this begins S2 with Mint- quality.

'High And Dry' has no interference as such but does play with a very slight muffled sound no doubt due to the 'faded' look on the first half of the track.  A pressing fault in my opinion and I will grade as Ex because of this.

I am pleased to say 'Out Of Time' is a return to form and plays with stunning quality.  From the iconic intro to the final note this is a 'high end' version with no interference.  The fade out has no 'background' and provides further evidence of the stunning clarity on offer here.  Mint

'It's Not Easy' plays with very strong audio and just one very light tick which you could easily miss.  Despite being quite a powerful track there is no distortion and grades as Mint-

The super quiet intro on 'I Am Waiting' plays beautifully with only a couple of dust ticks and much like 'Lady Jane' on S1 plays with great clarity during the quieter sections.  The louder chorus sections also play 'as new' and if I've heard a better version I cannot remember when that was!  Mint again and what a version!

I have no wish to repeat myself but 'Take It Or Leave It' is of the same standard and there is no need to elaborate.

The raw power of 'Think' plays extremely well with no interference.  Perhaps a touch of distortion but perhaps doesn't even deserve a mention it is so minimal! I will grade as Near Mint

'What To Do' ends the side with great quality and, dare I say, no interference!  Again there is no obvious distortion and deserves a Mint- grade.  What an album!

In summary this early pressing plays to a superb standard with a little 'background' on that one track on S2.  The rest of the side is very impressive and S1 is absolutely stunning!  This has been preserved so well down the decades and was either purchased as a collectable piece not to be played or the owner just didn't like it which is hard to believe!  The clarity and warmth of the audio throughout cannot be underestimated and it will not be a surprise to hear that the vinyl is visually stunning and kept inside a beautiful cover also.  An amazing 'package'.

The Cover

The 'Robert Stace' cover is in lovely condition with barely any shelf wear and has clearly been very carefully handled down the years thus maintaining its original shape.  The edges and thin pinched spine are perfect with no rubbing and there is barely any corner wear plus the opening edge has only minimal handling wear also.  The laminated front cover is so clean with no marking, just one very minor laminate crease top right and a faint imprint of ringwear.  Even more impressive is the back cover which very rarely has no obvious marking of any kind, it is so white!  This truly is a stunning example of this cover.

The Inner Sleeve

The original red poly-lined 'mono' inner is in superb condition with no side splits, hardly any creasing and just a small number of very faint age related near the top edge.  It has the date code 10 - 69 printed on one side.

The Labels

The un-grooved red Decca labels have barely any spindle wear and have lost none of their original colour.  They have no marking or writing and are practically 'as new'.  Stunning examples!

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 4786 // XARL - 7209 - 4B / XARL - 7210 - 4A // AH 1 / UH 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 SHIP WORLDWIDE BUT WHEN SENDING ITEMS TO ITALY, RUSSIA/UKRAINE AND SOUTH AMERICA I WILL ONLY SEND THEM VIA TRACKED SHIPPING AND THIS COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £5.00.

WHEN ITEMS SELL BETWEEN £50.00 AND £250.00 AND ARE TO BE SENT TO ANY INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION TRACKED SHIPPING IS AGAIN NECESSARY AND COSTS AN ADDITIONAL £7.50 AS EXTRA INSURANCE IS REQUIRED.

FOR ITEMS OVER £250.00 PLEASE CONTACT ME AS THERE WILL BE A HIGHER INSURANCE PREMIUM AND WILL HAVE TO BE SENT VIA A COURIER SERVICE AND THE COSTS CAN VARY.  THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE UP TO £250.00 HENCE THE NEED FOR ANOTHER SERVICE.  PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR THE EXACT AMOUNT AND THEN WAIT FOR THE INVOICE.  PLEASE ONLY BID IF YOU AGREE WITH THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS, MANY THANKS.

COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED WHEN MORE THAN ONE ITEM IS WON.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PLACED IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE THE COVER IN ORDER TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS IN THE POST. EVERYTHING IS THEN 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.

UK Postage Rates (First Class)

LPs/12" singles : £5.75 (recorded) up to 1kg then £0.95 per extra item 

7" singles / CDs : £1.95 then £0.35 per extra

EUROPE (Standard)

LPs/12" singles : £10.95 then £1.75 per extra 

7" singles / CDs : £6.45 then £0.95 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Standard)  

LPs/12" singles : £18.95 then £1.95 per extra

7" singles / CDs : £7.95 then £1.45 per extra

I WILL LEAVE FEEDBACK ONCE I HAVE RECEIVED IT.  THIS IS SO I KNOW THE ITEM HAS BEEN RECEIVED SAFELY AND THAT YOU ARE HAPPY WITH IT. IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  I WILL ALSO PAY THE RETURN POSTAGE COST IF I AM AT FAULT - yes this can happen as I am only human!!