ROLLING STONES: EXILE (EARLIEST 1/1/1/1 PRESSING)

	£		204
	$		270

Here is the very earliest possible pressing of what is generally considered to be The Rolling Stones' greatest album, Exile on Main Street (Rolling Stones COC 69100), from 1972. Remarkably, this coveted package features a full set of 1/1/1/1 matrices. Which is unheard of. That makes this copy of Exile on Main Street the very earliest you could lay your hands on.

I've never seen a full set of 1/1/1/1 matrices before. If you check out the so-called earliest copies of this album featured on the popsike website you will see that all of them, even the priciest which have attained several hundred pounds at auction, feature matrices with a mix of 1s and 2s (sometimes 3s even). Yet here we have a perfect set of 1/1/1/1 matrices.

In case you doubt me, in case you think I've got it wrong and that I wouldn't know a matrix from a mother stamp, I have added a photograph of one side's matrix in my pictures. Let me therefore reassure you: all four sides' matrices end in 1: A1, B1, C1 and D1.

Besides these earliest possible matrices, this first issue set also comes complete with an unmarked unbroken set of postcards, perfectly preserved, concertina-style.

And not only is this the earliest copy of Exile on Main Street you could find, it is also in remarkable condition. Please check out my pictures to see.

The original iconic box-shaped unlaminated gatefold cover with its fragile single card front flap and interior opening compartment is in amazing EX condition, totally undamaged, unstressed in any way, with no tears, rips or unwanted scrawl. All edges and corners are true and sharp, the white is white and there is no sign of any creasing. There are just three or four tiny spots of foxing (little brown ageing marks) at the top of the rear of the cover. There is no rubbing, creasing or shelfwear of any kind.

The original two slabs of heavyweight first pressing vinyl (did I tell you the four matrices end with 1/1/1/1!) have been very well cared for and very little played, with hardly any marks visible even when examined closely under harsh halogen lighting. The original yellow and red tongue Rolling Stones' labels show very little sign of spindle activity and all four sides perform beautifully. This barely played and perfectly matched set of original discs comfortably merits a grade of EX/EX. And the sound from this pair of first pressing records is fantastic. Dirty, muddy, loose and free. The stones at their best.

The two green and red custom card inners are also perfect (EX/EX) and inside these come two perfect original paper inners, protecting the discs from scuffing on the card inners.

Good luck if you are bidding ... but remember this could be your one and only chance to obtain a 1/1/1/1 set of Exile on Main Street. I have also added what I consider to be a reasonable reserve on this item, bearing in mind its rarity and condition. If bidding from outside of the UK please contact me to request postage costs etc). I try to be meticulous with my descriptions - be assured that I do not try to pass off worn out albums as near mint. Swift payment required at end of auction please.

ALSO PLEASE CHECK OUT MY OTHER ITEMS (I am currently listing some lovely '60s and '70s albums for your consideration, including true heavyweight second pressings of S. F. Sorrow by Pretty Things and Piper at the Gates of Dawn by The Pink Floyd, which you may also be interested in).