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 : Through The Past Darkly 1A/3A 1st Mono Press

This first pressing plays with superb audio on both sides with no clicks, pops or static!  The clarity is so impressive with only the final two tracks on S1 not having the same sonic quality as the rest of the album.  The audio is not poor by any means but the overall sound has a 'muddied' quality you could say, a little more on the final track.  Still very playable and there are no clicks etc.  As I say the other tracks play with amazing audio and rarely do you get this album playing as well as this.  This is no doubt helped by the stunning visual quality of the record and it has clearly hardly been played.

The iconic 'octagonal' cover is also one of the finest you are ever likely to see with hardly any wear and the original red inner is just superb!  A couple of minor creases only.

As this is a first press the red Decca labels are unboxed and on the labels the credits are written as Jagger / Richard.

LK 5019 // XARL-9067-P-1A / XARL-9068-P-3A // BB 1 / BK 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-) (T2 Near Mint / T5 Ex+ / T6 Ex-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-) (T1 & T6 Near Mint) 

The octagonal cover is Near Mint-

The red mono inner is Near Mint-

The labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in lovely condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no obvious marks or scratches.  There are a small number of faint hairlines plus one small scratchy type mark at the start of S2 but it has no affect on the audio aside from one very faint tick.  The run out grooves are very clean and you can easily see the JT tax stamps on each side.  The unboxed red Decca labels are in superb shape with no marking and barely any spindle wear.

Play grading

The classic 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' plays with stunning precision from the word go.  Richards' intro is so strong and Jagger's opening vocal has no background either.  It continues in the same way and whilst there is one light tick after the mid instrumental it is so quiet you could easily miss it.  It has that unmistakable deep mono sound and the clarity throughout is superb, not even a dust tick on the fade out.  A Mint- start for sure.

'Mother's Little Helper' again plays with great quality from start to finish with no interference.  The clarity is not quite as clear as the previous track - a minor 'muddiness' to the sound but maybe I am just being over-critical and is probably due to being played through a stereo set up.  Believe me when I say it is very minor and it does not detract from the overall listen but I will grade as Near Mint just to be on the safe side.

The psychedelic intro on '2,000 Light Years From Home' plays so well with no interference and the first vocal keeps up this fine start.  From then on the sound quality cannot be faulted.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and a measure of the clarity is the brief moment of silence towards the end - it is totally silent.  The remainder is equally as good and Mint- is deserved.

'Let's Spend The Night Together' plays with real power and depth and...no interference.  You can turn it up max without fear of distortion Mint- is again fair.

With complete silence in the dead wax (again!) the intro on 'You Better Move On' plays perfectly.  It then plays very well with only a slight 'muddy' quality again.  It isn't really intrusive and once more there are no ticks, clicks etc.  I will grade as Ex+ this time.

The intro on 'We Love You' plays with great quality but the rest of the track is somewhat affected by inner groove distortion / that 'muddied' quality again.  Aside from that there is no interference and will grade as Ex- although I'm sure the audio could be improved if plays as a mono record.

----------------------------------------------------------

'Street Fighting Man' has only two very light ticks on the intro and then Jagger's opening vocal plays with sublime quality.  It continues to play with great power and definition with no sign of any interference.  A minor touch of vocal distortion perhaps but this is easily a Near Mint start to the side.

The piano intro on 'She's A Rainbow' is perfect and that applies to the entire track!  The clarity is STUNNING from start to finish with audio that is just so strong and deep.  A fantastic Mint version.

'Ruby Tuesday' then plays with a clarity that is rarely found today on this first pressing.  No ticks or clicks etc Mint is again deserved.  It really could not play with any greater precision.

'Dandelion' also plays with great quality with no interference.  Perhaps not quite as clear as the previous tracks but only just below if you get what I mean.  It is still a fine version and Mint- is fair.

The acoustic intro on 'Sittin' On The Fence' has no background and thereafter plays with very strong audio and of course...no interference.  There is just a modicum of vocal distortion but it is so minor and I only mention to be 100% 'complete' with my grading.  It is a stunning version and again deserves a Mint- grade.  Actually don't know why I mentioned the 'distortion' as there is barely any and the more you listen to the track the better it sounds!

'Honky Tonk Women' ends the side with superb audio.  The intro is faultless and this high end standard is kept up throughout.  Despite being the final track the sound is so clear with no obvious distortion and there is nothing to detract from the overall 'listen'.  Not quite perfect but not far from it.  Let's say Near Mint and again I'm sure the 'sound' could be enhanced when played as a mono record.

In summary this very collectable first pressing plays to a very high standard with no obvious ticks and there are certainly no clicks or pops.  The clarity is very impressive and only the two final tracks on S1 are not as clear as you would want.  As stated there is some 'muddiness' to the sound, more so on the last one, but not so they are unplayable.  The rest of the album plays with sublime quality and rarely will you find this album with such a clean vinyl and such a stunning cover.

The Octagonal Cover & Inner Sleeve

Due to its very nature this famous laminated cover is regularly found in poor condition - quite flimsy and so many edges and corners!  However, this one has been so well preserved over the last 53 years and has only very minimal wear.  The edges and corners here are very clean with barely any rubbing and only the bottom right one has minor wear / rubbing.  The spine is in perfect condition (how rare is that!) and the front cover itself is in superb order with no laminate damage or marking and just one minor crease to the right of the song titles.  The back cover is so close to perfect with just a little laminate lift next to the spine.  The mono / stereo indicator hole has no wear at all.  The inside of the cover is again so clean and the opening edge has no wear either.  The inner spine has retained its original shape so well and has only a couple of minor 'rubs'.  A stunning example of this iconic cover.

The original octagonal red inner is incredibly clean!  It is unmarked, has no side splits or tears and only very minimal creasing.  It could hardly look any better!

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

LK 5019 // XARL-9067-P-1A / XARL-9068-P-3A // BB 1 / BK 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

Very happy with this item, and special thanks for perfect packing!

Fabulous - like new. Fast dispatch, well packaged. 5* seller. Thank you

100% reliable seller. Fast shipping and great communication. A++++

Everything perfect as usual!! Item in pristine condition and quick delivery!

Top seller! Well packed record and great condition of item.

Fast, safe post, packing & comms. Ebay needs more sellers like this. Thank you.

Fantastic shipping, killer service, amazing seller, buy from him !!

Best seller! A++++ always great collectible items in perfect condition!

Postage & Packaging

I NOW ONLY SEND ITEMS WORLDWIDE VIA TRACKED SHIPPING. THIS PROVIDES 'PEACE OF MIND' IN CASE OF LOSS OR DAMAGE. ALL COSTS ARE SHOWN BELOW AND COMBINED POSTAGE IS ALWAYS OFFERED. ANY OVER-PAYMENT WILL ALWAYS BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE BUYER.

THE ROYAL MAIL ONLY INSURE ITEMS UP TO THE VALUE OF £250 SO IF AN ITEM SELLS FOR MORE A COURIER SERVICE MAY BE USED (e.g. Parcelforce, DPD).  AN EXTRA INSURANCE PREMIUM WILL BE REQUIRED BUT I WILL NOT KNOW THE EXACT AMOUNT UNTIL THE FINAL SALE PRICE IS KNOWN.  HOWEVER, SOMETIMES I WILL ESTIMATE A COST AND THIS WILL BE STATED IN THE LISTING.  PLEASE WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE MAKING ANY PAYMENT BUT IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GET IN TOUCH.  MANY THANKS.

ALL VINYLS ARE PACKAGED IN STRONG CUSTOM MADE OVER-SIZED MAILERS WITH EXTRA CARDBOARD PROTECTION. THEY ARE PUT IN SEPARATE POLY-LINED INNERS OUTSIDE OF THE COVER SO AS TO AVOID SEAM SPLITS. THEY ARE ALSO 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.

I ONLY USE HIGH QUALITY MAILERS AND THESE COST ME £1.00 EACH. I WILL OFTEN USE 3 OR 4 CARDBOARD STIFFENERS AND THESE COST AT LEAST £0.15 EACH AND THEN THERE IS THE COST OF THE POLY-LINED INNER AND PVC SLEEVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IT ALL ADDS UP! NOT FORGETTING EBAY TAKING 10% OF THE SHIPPING FEE ALSO!!

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

LPs/12" singles : £5.95 up to 1kg then £1.00 per extra item 

EUROPE (Tracked - Max 2kg)

LPs/12" singles : £15.95 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

I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO LEAVE FEEDBACK AFTER PAYMENT HAS BEEN MADE, NONE OF THIS WAITING BEFORE I RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM YOU - I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN MY LISTINGS!  IF YOU ARE NOT ENTIRELY HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE PLEASE CONTACT ME BEFORE LEAVING FEEDBACK AND I WILL ALWAYS RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM, 100% GUARANTEED.  IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO SEND THE ITEM BACK I WILL OF COURSE OF COURSE PAY THE RETURN SHIPPING COST IF I AM AT FAULT.  I AM ONLY HUMAN AFTER ALL!