I will declare a lower amount on the customs form for all countries so as to avoid/decrease high import charges.  However, in the case of the EU all purchases are subject to VAT which eBay collect at point of sale. No shipping to Russia currently.

The Rolling Stones : Beggars Banquet 6A / 3A 1st Press Mono Unboxed Decca

This first mono pressing has to be the most stunning example I have ever encountered.  The clarity and depth of sound is so much more impressive than any other version I have heard.  The 'thin' / harsh sound sound that is evident on this pressing is kept to a minimum here and it's only on 'Salt Of The Earth' where it is little more obvious.  'Jig-Saw Puzzle' still plays with stunning quality.  The clarity of sound on both sides is incredible - there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and this is clearly a record that has been so well preserved down the years.  It is visually stunning and has hardly been played in my opinion.  A FINAL UPGRADE archive classic you could say.

Not only that but the iconic G & L laminated cover has also been very carefully looked after and for once the spine is intact!  It does have a little compression here and there but it is still in great shape.  The original red mono inner sleeve has a little wear, mainly some creasing, but overall this is a superb example of this classic album.

The 6A/3A is one of the early first press variations and the labels are the Version 4 variety.

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-6A / XARL-8477-3A // CG 1 / BH 1

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

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

The 'mono' gatefold is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint

 The red mono inner sleeve is Ex-
Visual description

The vinyl is in beautiful condition and still has a stunning glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Under 'normal' lighting it is immaculate and only when I look under a strong bright light can I see small number of very faint hairlines and there is obviously nothing that stands out.  No marks or blemishes and no groove wear or bag 'rash'.  The run out grooves are super clean also and you can easily read the matrix / JT tax stamp info.  The unboxed red Decca labels are pristine and I can only make out one mega faint spindle trace on each side, almost need a magnifying glass!

Play grading

The classic percussive intro on 'Sympathy For The Devil' has no background, not even a dust tick, and Jagger's opening vocal is just as impressive.  It continues in the same way with that full, deep mono sound but the sonic quality is only as strong as this precisely because the vinyl itself is so clean.  It has clearly not been played very much and as stated there is barely any spindle wear.  It builds perfectly, every note is so sharp and precise and Richards' mid solo is a prime example of what I'm saying - the clarity is exceptional with none of that tinny distorted type sound that you so often find.  The final vocal section / instrumental is faultless and again you can hear each subtle nuance in the music.  The long fade out no background and this is without doubt a Mint start to the album.  The definitive version you could say.

With complete silence in the dead wax the acoustic intro on 'No Expectations' plays with sublime clarity and the opening three verses have no intrusion either, it just could not play any better.  The mid instrumental is flawless and the final vocal section is as clean and strong as the first.  The piano end section plays beautifully and again I am confident in grading this as Mint such is the quality.  Bare in mind this vinyl is 56 years old this year!

'Dear Doctor' plays with superb audio from the outset.  This country 'blues' type song plays with impeccable quality through every vocal and instrumental section with no signs of any interference.  Mint

The mono pressings are renown for their inner groove distortion / harsh thin sound but this has to be the most impressive version I have ever listened to and that is no exaggeration.  'Parachute Woman' plays very clearly with barely any of that so called sound quality.  Yes that typical strong raw Stones sound and overall the sonic quality is very impressive.  Just a minor hint maybe but Mint- is still very much deserved.

The intro on 'Jig-Saw Puzzle' has no background and the opening vocal is so clean with zero distortion etc.  In fact the audio is still very strong and deep, very impressive.  There is just a little of that 'thin' sound during the mid instrumental and then the remainder plays with genuine quality.  I did invest in a new stylus not so long ago and perhaps that is 'helping' with the sonic quality.  This is easily the cleanest version I have heard and the final vocal / end section plays with great clarity and depth.  That depth of sound is so often missing on this track but it certainly isn't here and I honestly picked up things I haven't noticed before such as Wyman's bass line which is generally lost in the mix.  Not here!  From start to finish there are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the long fade out is perfect.  In a sense I shouldn't downgrade it but I will say Near Mint just to err on the side of caution :-)

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The unmistakeable intro on the classic 'Street Fighting Man' has no intrusion and Jagger's first vocal has lost none of its 'edge', there is a genuine raw sound to the audio here.  And no interference of course!  It continues in the same precise way with zero background and the instrumental section in particular are superb, well all of it is really including the fade out.  I will say Mint-

'Prodigal Son' once again shows just how well this vinyl has been looked after.  From the intro through every vocal and instrumental section it could not play with any greater precision.  I can't believe how good to be honest!  You can hear everything so clearly - for example Jones' is playing the harmonica at various points here, it is very much in the background but it is so easy to hear, the clarity is stunning.  Definitely a Mint version.

The intro on 'Stray Cat Blues' is 'as new' and the opening vocal is just as strong.  This is of course a powerful track and yet that 'thin' sound is so so minimal and the sonic quality is very impressive.  A minor amount on the choruses but maybe that's just how it was recorded / produced.  It's a superb version and the end instrumental plays with great clarity and depth.  It builds with such power and the long fade out has no background at all.  Mint-

The acoustic intro on 'Factory Girl' plays with perfect clarity and there is no let up as it progresses.  Not a single tick or anything worse this is audio of the highest calibre and Mint is again deserved.

Another faultless intro on 'Salt Of The Earth' and the opening vocal section is on the same level.  It's only around the halfway mark that the audio has a little more of that 'thin' sound that is always prevalent on this track.  It's down to the quality of vinyl used / mastering but it still plays very well with no interference.  When played as a mono record I am sure the sonic quality will improve.  It may sound like I am being too critical - this is still very possibly the cleanest version I have ever heard - there is no other background aside from some of that 'thin' sound, there is no escaping it!  The final instrumental plays with tremendous power and overall I think Near Mint- is fair.  A stunning album.

The Gatefold & Inner Sleeve

This laminated G & L mono cover is in superb condition and one of the best I have ever seen.  The edges are in perfect order and for once the spine is very clean and remains 100% legible.  It does have some compression here and there but it's rare to find it this good with no marking and barely any wear on the corners.  The right hand corners are in superb condition also and the opening edge is so clean with no obvious handling wear either.  The front cover is pristine and the back cover has only a faint touch of ringwear.  There is no laminate damage / creasing on either side.  The inside of the gatefold is immaculate and it has to grade as Near Mint.

The original poly-lined red mono inner sleeve just has a couple of minor spots, one very small tear on the central aperture and some creasing.

Play tested on my Rega P2 with AT-VM95EN Cart / Denon PMA-520AE Amp / B&W 684 Speakers

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

LK 4955 // XARL-8476-6A / XARL-8477-3A // CG 1 / BH 1

I grade according to "Record Collector" guidelines.

Any questions please feel free to ask

Please pay within 4 days of auction end

Recent Feedback

THIS IS WHAT A SELLER SHOULD BE LIKE ON HIGH END VINYL! Exactly as described if not better ! I could not be a happier customer .. well packed for international flight .. and shipped and received very fast .. No worries here this guy is the tops

GREAT AS DESCRIBED BEST SELLR OF ALL THE UK PEOPLE AND I HAVE BOUGHT FROM ALL OF THEM

Beautiful record as described, fast safe delivery, top seller. Cheers Steve.

Another fantastic LP from this seller - condition exactly as shown and the audio as described! Fast delivery, vinyl properly and carefully packed. Very highly recommended A++++

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Postage & Packaging

I will only send items items worldwide via tracked shipping.  This provides 'peace of mind' in case of loss or damage.  The shipping costs are shown below and combined shipping is always offered.  Any over-payment will always be refunded.

The Royal Mail only insure up to a value of £250 so if an item sells for more it may be wise to use a courier service (e.g. Parcelforce or DPD).  An extra insurance premium will be required but I will not know the exact amount until the final sale price is known.  Because of this I will sometimes have to estimate the cost and this will be shown in the listing.  Please wait for the invoice before making payment and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.  Many thanks.

All vinyls are packaged in strong over-sized custom made mailers with plenty of extra cardboard protection.  They are placed inside separate poly-lined inners outside the cover so as to avoid seam splits in transit and then placed inside a PVC sleeve to provide even more protection.  I pride myself on my high quality packaging as my feed confirms and if any customer has any specific requirements I am more than happy to help.

The mailers I use cost £1.00 each and I will use anything between 3-5 cardboard stiffeners which cost approx £0.18 each.  There is also the cost of the poly-lined inner and PVC sleeve to consider, it all adds up!  Not forgetting that eBay take 10% of the shipping fee also!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £6.50 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £13.95 then £2.00 per extra

USA (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £24.95 then £2.50 per extra 

REST OF WORLD (Tracked - Max 2kg)  

LPs/12" singles : £21.95 then £2.50 per extra

If you are not entirely happy with your purchase please contact me before leaving feedback and I will always resolve any issue, 100% guaranteed.  If you would prefer to send the item back I will also pay the return shipping cost if I am at fault, I am only human after all!!