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The Rolling Stones : Aftermath 1B/1A 1st Mono Press w/ Shadow Cover

I rarely use the term rare but it certainly applies in this case.  Not only does it play to a truly spectacular standard but it comes complete with the very rare Shadow cover which happens to be in superb condition also.  I have read that only a few hundred were produced before they were discontinued and I have never ever seen one as impressive as this!  It is so clean with minimal wear only and it would be difficult to find better.

As for the audio - wow!  It is without doubt the finest first pressing I have ever listened to as there is just no interference on either side.  The clarity and depth of sound is quite simply on another level and this is clearly an album that was purchased as a collectors' item rather than to be played and indeed there is only very minimal spindle wear to back up that theory.  I cannot overstate just how STUNNING the audio is, the clarity is just incredible.  There are no ticks, clicks, pops or static and the only intrusion (if you can call it that!) is one very brief and quiet background hiss on 'Lady Jane' that lasts for two seconds at most!  You will not be surprised to hear that the vinyl itself is visually stunning as are the unboxed grooved red Decca labels.  A FINAL UPGRADE first pressing in every regard.

As this is a genuine first press it has the 1B/1A matrix and of course the 'Shadow' cover.  The majority of first pressings did not have the 'Shadow' cover hence the rarity of this album.  This is the only cover that had Mono and LK 4786 split into two lines on the back cover.

LK 4786 // XARL-7209-1B / XARL-7210-1A // UI 1 / CC 1

The audio on S1 is Mint(-)

The audio on S2 is Mint(-)

The 'Shadow' cover is a very strong Ex so close to Ex+

The inner sleeve is Ex

The labels are Mint-
Visual description
The vinyl is in superb condition and still has an immaculate glossy sheen with no marks or scratches.  Even under a strong light there are not that many sleeve removal hairlines and there is nothing that stands out.  No dulling to the surface and no groove wear either.  The run out grooves are very clean and you can easily see the KT tax stamp on each side.  The unboxed and grooved red Decca labels are practically 'as new' with only very minimal spindle wear.

Play grading

The run in on S1 is silent so already you are expecting 'Mother's Little Helper' to play with great clarity and it does not disappoint!  From Jagger's opening vocal to the fade out it plays with stunning precision with no background at all and I cannot praise it highly enough.  There is not even a solitary dust tick let alone anything more.  The sonic quality is like you have been transported back to '66 (!) and I have no hesitation in grading this as Mint such is the clarity on offer here.

With complete silence in the dead wax the intro on 'Stupid Girl' plays perfectly and the first vocal is just as good.  It continues to play with exceptional quality and no interference.  As per the first track it has lost none of its original deep rich mono sound and again Mint is 100% deserved.

The classic 'Lady Jane' in a word is STUNNING!  The acoustic intro plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and from then on plays with a clarity that is comparable to a CD but without the warmth and depth that you only find with vinyl.  There is a faint hiss at the end of the first line on the second verse but it is very quiet and so much in the background and totally non-intrusive.  The rest of the verse is 'as new' and the mid instrumental more than keeps up the standard.  The final verse again plays with unbelievable quality and I cannot emphasise enough just how clean and precise the audio is throughout this all time classic.  It is easily one of the finest versions I have ever heard and may well indeed be top of the tree!  And let's not forget this is on a 1B/1A first pressing with the rare shadow cover!!  There are ticks, clicks or pops and no underlying static either, a STUNNING version like I say.  Even with that very brief hiss I am confident in grading it as Mint- such is quality.

'Under My Thumb' begins perfectly and Wyman's deep bass adds so much to the audio, no 'muddiness' to the sound here.  From then on it plays so clearly with literally no intrusion.  Another Mint track.

The intro on 'Doncha Bother Me' has no interference and the opening vocal is equally as 'clean'.  It continues in the same precise way with no ticks, clicks etc - no background at all.  You can hear each note so clearly and that clarity is very much in evidence during the mid harmonica section - the echo 'effect' has lost none of its original sound.  To the end it plays with faultless audio even on the percussive fade out.  Mint

The intro on 'Goin' Home' again plays with sublime clarity and the opening vocal section is of the same high end standard.  I am up to three minutes now and I have not even heard a single dust tick!  Not exactly typical Stones' it continues to play with a clarity and depth that is second to none.  More of a 'jam' you could say the playback is absolutely stunning and yes the depth of sound is so impressive.  Even during the quieter 'moments' the clarity is just incredible and as the music builds around the 6 minute mark the quality is still there - no distortion at all despite it being the final track.  The remainder of this 11+ minute opus plays with imperious quality and it is without doubt the most 'complete' version I have ever listened to.  Not one tick or click and no static either, it is one helluva listen!  I do not think I have ever found a Mint version on a genuine first press but we certainly have one here!

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Remarkably the piano intro 'Flight 505' has no background - usually the opening grooves on a 57 year old vinyl would have something!  It then plays with typical Stones raw power and there is no interference and no distortion either.  A fine Mint start to S2.

'High And Dry' keeps up the good work and plays with great quality from start to finish and it's the depth of the audio that really stands out.  Mint

The unmistakeable intro on 'Out Of Time' plays with stunning clarity and Jagger's first verse and chorus play with sensational quality.  I don't wish to repeat myself but it's so rare to find sonic quality like this on a first press - on any press!  The audio is so clean and precise there is not one single negative.  Every verse and chorus are 'as new' - no vocal distortion, no background just pure Mint audio from start to finish.

'It's Not Easy' plays to the same high end standard with zero intrusion.  Mint

The gentle acoustic intro on 'I Am Waiting' plays beautifully with only a couple of barely audible dust ticks and from then on plays with a level of clarity that we have come to expect now!  It honestly plays like it has never been played before that is just how clear and precise the audio is.  There are a number of quiet passages here and yet there is just no intrusion on the audio whatsoever.  A phenomenal Mint version.

'Take It Or Leave It' and 'Think' play with real quality and there is no interference.  No need to elaborate they both grade as Mint

'What To Do' ends this incredible album with wonderful audio once more.  I did not detect any noticeable inner groove distortion and the playback is so impressive.  The clarity of sound is out of this world for a final track especially when you consider this is a mono record being played through a stereo set up.  I am 100% confident in grading it as Mint the sonic quality cannot be faulted in any way.

In summary this rare and very collectable first pressing plays to standard that is so rarely found today.  Aside from one very 'hiss' that lasts for all of two seconds on S1 the clarity of the audio is just STUNNING!  It is not in my interest (or yours!) to exaggerate my listings, I just write what I hear and if it sounds 'as new' then I am more than happy to say so.  And when I say 'as new' I mean it i.e. out of the record shop fresh!  This is clearly FINAL UPGRADE time warp classic and I can safely say I have never heard an 'Aftermath' as superb as this one.  Not only the clarity but the depth, power and warmth of the audio is incredible and it is clear the previous owner preserved his albums so well and hardly played them either.  I don't often use the word rare but it certainly applies here, not only to the audio but the super rare 'Shadow' cover also.  I haven't seen many in my time but I have never seen one as visually stunning as this!  A STUNNING first press in every single way.

The 'Shadow' Cover & Inner Sleeve

This rare cover is in great condition and as stated I have never seen one as impressive as this.  It has only minimal wear and has retained its original shape and structure so well due to not being handled very much obviously.  The edges and thin pinched spine are in fantastic condition as are all the four corners and the opening edge has no handling wear either.  The 'laminated' front cover is unmarked and has just a couple of minor creases and one small area of laminate lift in the bottom right corner.  A couple of tiny creases elsewhere and three very small areas of laminate lift next to the spine also but these are only minor issues.  The colours are still very strong and vibrant and you can easily see the purple outline 'Shadow' on the Aftermath title.  The unlaminated back cover is very clean with barely any marking, just a minimal amount of age related fading around the edges and I do mean very very minimal and very faint!  Both sides have a little ringwear as is common but you could hardly wish to find a better version of this very collectable cover.  A superb example!

The original Foreign patents pending inner sleeve is not surprisingly very clean without any marking and has no side splits or tears.  It just has a little creasing mainly in the bottom two corners.

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 4786 // XARL-7209-1B / XARL-7210-1A // UI 1 / CC 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 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!