ROLLING STONES EXILE ON MAIN STREET UK FIRST ISSUE RARE

	£		102
	$		135

Thank you for visiting my listing. The section immediately below sets out information specific to the particular album / record offered in this listing. This is followed by my general comments about vinyl which you may want to browse through if you have time. Please feel free to email me with any related comments or observations; particularly if you have any reliable information which contradicts any of my descriptions as I am always interested in adding to my knowledge on this subject. When preparing my listings I use a combination of facts from reliable sources, more than forty years of personal experience and, occasionally, music industry anecdotes. Just a visual inspection of used vinyls is almost always misleading so I play grade every vinyl I offer, before listing, on a Project III deck fitted with an Ortofon OM 5E cartridge down-force set at 17.5 mN (1.75 g), fitted with a first grade stylus which I renew at intervals according to manufacturers specification, through a manufacturers pre-set Rega Brio amplifier with sound delivered by Focal Chorus 706 loudspeakers, which is unforgiving where there are surface imperfections. If I think a vinyl will benefit from professional cleaning I use my ‘Moth’ RCM2, but I do not clean vinyls for the sake of it - many I offer for sale have had little use and although there can be slight contamination in the grooves, even when new, that is the original authentic sound. I believe in cleaning only when my ‘ear’ tells me that the audio performance has deteriorated by exposure over time and will obviously be returned closer to the original sound by cleaning. Although it is extremely rare, there can be a difference between my descriptions, and opinions, and an individual buyer’s expectations so I have a clearly stated Returns Policy for added reassurance which is detailed at the bottom of all my listings. In the unlikely event that you want to use this facility please read the details carefully first, and then contact me to agree the procedure. There really will never be a reason to have any problem with an item you purchase from me. Before bidding please take a careful look through my terms and conditions to avoid any misunderstandings.

First Issues, First Pressings & Originals: Please note that when I refer to a First Issue I mean that the evidence suggests that the album offered is from the first batch that was issued for commercial release in the country of origin stated in the listing. Where I state First Press I mean that based on a reasonable interpretation of the matrices and stamper codes the vinyl comes from the first batch pressed using that particular ‘mother’; these statements alone do not always mean that the vinyl is from the very first ’stamper’ ever made. However, where I state First Issue and First Press it is likely that the album offered includes one (or more) of the early vinyl(s) produced in the country of origin from the first ‘mother(s)’ and ‘stamper(s)’. Original means that the record bears the first label design for that particular pressing and, in the case of the cover, it is from the first cover manufacturer for that pressing; it may have very slight changes, if they were made within the first production run or, if the album was issued with a choice of cover designs or colours on first release, but in these cases I will try and explain the differences. This is not an exact science and anomalies will occur where I may make a mistake but I believe this will not happen very often - if it does then all of my buyers have the unequivocal reassurance of my Comprehensive Returns Policy.

Album / Record Title: EXILE ON MAIN STREET

Rarity: EXTREMELY RARE - As a COMPLETE UK FIRST ISSUE with centre loading gatefold by Shorewood, two thick card picture montage inners, TWO SERIOUSLY HEAVYWEIGHT VINYLS (and I explain just how important that feature is in the note below) & ALL 12 ORIGINAL POSTCARDS with the perforations but STILL ATTACHED - ALL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION.

NOTE: ALL OF THE ORIGINAL UK FIRST ISSUES OF THIS ALBUM HAD A COMBINATION OF 1’s & 2’s AFTER THE CATALOGUE NUMBER IN THE MATRICES - IN MY EXPERIENCE THE COMBINATION WAS RANDOM AND I THINK THAT BOTH SETS WERE TAKEN FROM THE FIRST MASTERS & MOTHERS. I DO NOT THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE CERTAIN WHETHER ANY COMBINATION PRE-DATES ANOTHER WITHIN THE FIRST ‘BATCH’. HOWEVER, A FEATURE I HAVE NOTICED IN HANDLING MANY OF THESE ALBUMS OVER THE YEARS IS THAT IT IS RARE TO FIND TWO HEAVYWEIGHT VINYLS IN THE SAME SET - USUALLY THERE IS ONE HEAVY ONE, USUALLY RECORD 2, WEIGHING 140-150 GRAMMES, AND ONE MUCH LIGHTER ONE AROUND 120 GRAMMES. IT IS THEREFORE NOTABLE IN THIS CASE THAT BOTH RECORDS IN THE SET ARE GENUINE HEAVYWEIGHTS AT 152 & 141 GRAMMES RESPECTIVELY. IT IS POSSIBLE THEREFORE THAT THIS SET WAS VERY EARLY IN MANUFACTURE AND THE SOUND CLARITY IS EXCELLENT FROM BOTH VINYLS.

The key features are listed below:

• COMPLETE & VERY EARLY ORIGINAL UK FIRST ISSUE
• A UK EARLY PRESSING WITH EARLY MATRICES & STAMPERS
• SUPERB HEAVYWEIGHT VINYLS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION
• STEREO RECORDING FORMAT DELIVERING SENSATIONAL AUDIO
• ORIGINAL ROLLING STONES YELLOW ‘TONGUE’ LABEL
• ORIGINAL CENTRE LOADING GATEFOLD BY SHOREWOOD
• ORIGINAL PICTURE MONTAGE CARD INNERS EXCELLENT PLUS
• ALL 12 ORIGINAL POSTCARDS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION
• EXTREMELY DIFFICLT TO FIND ANOTHER ONE LIKE THIS

Artiste(s): ROLLING STONES - Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman and a classic collection of illustrious guest musicians and contributors.

Disc Format: 2 X 12” LP’s

Recording Format: STEREO

Record label: ORIGINAL ROLLING STONES YELLOW WITH RED TONGUE LOGO

Catalogue Number: COC 69100

Country of origin and first published date: ENGLAND 1972

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices Record 1 side 1:     COC 69100 A2

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices Record 1 side 2:     COC 69100 B1

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices Record 2 side 1:     COC 69100 C1

Vinyl ‘run off’ matrices Record 2 side 2:     COC 69100 D2

Vinyl ‘run off’ stampers Record 1 side 1:    3   ST-RS-722507

Vinyl ‘run off’ stampers Record 1 side 2:    3   V  ST-RS-722508

Vinyl ‘run off’ stampers Record 2 side 3:    1   7   V ST-RS-722509

Vinyl ‘run off’ stampers Record 2 side 4:    1   3   V ST-RS-722510

(n.b. matrices are all machine stamped, stampers are by machine and ST codes are hand etched, all sides are hand etched ‘ROLLING STONES RECORDS’ and have a hand etched hieroglyphic which is two small concentric circles with antennae - your guess as to what this symbol represents is as good as, or better than, mine!)

Track Listing as per cover: RECORD 1 - SIDE 1: ROCKS OFF / RIP THIS JOINT / SHAKE YOUR HIPS / CASINO BOOGIE / TUMBLING DICE / SIDE 2: SWEET VIRGINIA / TORN AND FRAYED / SWEET BLACK ANGEL / LOVING CUP / RECORD 2 - SIDE 3: HAPPY / TURD ON THE RUN / VENTILATOR BLUES / I JUST WANT TO SEE HIS FACE / SIDE 4: ALL DOWN THE LINE / STOP BREAKING DOWN / SHINE A LIGHT / SOUL SURVIVOR

My opinion & summary of condition: Hard to overstate just how good this double album is! Released in 1972 it seemingly confused the critics, and attracted mixed reviews. Regardless of the ‘professional’ indifference it was a huge commercial success and has - like so many misunderstood classics - become regarded as a masterpiece. Contrary to popular myth, which has it that the most of the album was produced at Richards Chateau in France, many of the tracks were recorded during 1969 and 1970 at Olympic Studios and Jagger’s country house in the U.K., and then overdubbed and added to in Los Angeles in 1971 & 1972. All early U.K. issues had the Musidor N.V. publishing credit on the labels which may have been due to a combination of the Rolling Stones tax status coupled with the fact that Atlantic / Kinney were the sole distributors for Rolling Stones Records at that time; and their European base was in the Netherlands. This is a genuine FIRST UK ISSUE album with a FIRST PRESS VINYLS, the MATRICES and STAMPER codes are all significant; and you hardly ever see one of these with the FULL 12 POSTCARDS, they are usually part used or missing altogether, let alone in NEAR MINT condition - as are the SUPERB THICK CARD INNERS. Opportunities to buy this album with such IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS in this EXCELLENT CONDITION are rare. Absolutely perfect for any lover of great rock music or serious collector of ROLLING STONES albums. There are a few minor flaws but overall this is an exceptional album of outstanding quality

MY GRADING OF THIS ALBUM based on Record Collector ‘Rare Record Price Guide 2008’ (**n.b. please note that I grade accurately backed up by a description. I neither over-exaggerate nor under-exaggerate. I see no point in grading an item with multiple ++++ marks, or under-grading it and then stating that it should be graded better - I consider these methods to be confusing. I use the Record Collector system with either a PLUS or a MINUS to indicate slight variations either side of a grade).

Vinyl Visual Record 1 side 1: EXCELLENT minus, some light superficial surface lines and slight marks caused by bag movement and a few which are slightly more noticeable, but with no tangible depth and no significant audio consequence (one tiny short scratch 4mm on the lead in can be felt, but no clicks)

Vinyl Visual Record 1 side 2: EXCELLENT minus, some light superficial surface lines and slight marks caused by bag movement and a few which are slightly more noticeable, but with no tangible depth and no significant audio consequence.

Vinyl Visual Record 2 side 3: EXCELLENT minus, some light superficial surface lines and slight marks caused by bag movement and a few which are slightly more noticeable, but with no tangible depth and no significant audio consequence.

Vinyl Visual Record 2 side 4: EXCELLENT minus, some light superficial surface lines and slight marks caused by bag movement and a few which are slightly more noticeable, but with no tangible depth and no significant audio consequence.

*IMPORTANT NOTE*: THE VINYLS HAVE NOT BEEN STORED IN THE ORIGINAL CARD INNERS FROM NEW BECAUSE THE NATURAL CARD TENDS TO BE UNDULY ABRASIVE ON THE VINYL PLAYING SURFACES. THEY HAVE BEEN KEPT IN SEPARATE PAPER SLEEVES FITTED WHICH NOW HAVE ANTISTATIC POLY-LINED INNERS FOR EXTRA CARE.

Label Visual Record 1 side 1: EXCELLENT, some light spindle lines and evidence of handling, but otherwise no marks, no tears, no scuffs (slight original pressing marks)

Label Visual Record 1 side 2: EXCELLENT, some light spindle lines and evidence of handling, but otherwise no marks, no tears, no scuffs

Label Visual Record 2 side 3: EXCELLENT, some light spindle lines and evidence of handling, but otherwise no marks, no tears, no scuffs

Label Visual Record 2 side 4: EXCELLENT, some light spindle lines and evidence of handling, but otherwise no marks, no tears, no scuffs

Outer Cover: VERY GOOD PLUS and that is a cautious grading because the minor flaws, are due to age and slight wear with careful handling and storage over time. Classic non-laminated centre loading gatefold of mid-weight card construction by Shorewood packaging Co., Ltd. ENGLAND. Some light surface creasing front and back. Light brown discolouration but it is spread evenly over most of the surfaces and is not unpleasant with just a concentration towards the left hand side spine, which is to be expected, and not a spoiler. Slight edge and corner rub wear consistent with a 36 year old album in careful use. There are a few mini-dents on the edges and general evidence of use over the years but nothing unpleasant or significantly detrimental. Overall this has just a few genuine and minor flaws of the type you might associate with the elegant ageing process of a fine antique, and perhaps less than would be expected with an album of this vintage. Please take a look at the super-sized photographs and make your own assessment as well.

Spines: VERY GOOD PLUS & VERY GOOD PLUS, two grades because there are two spines, the left hand side one which serves as the hinge is slightly creased, a little discoloured with some minor edge chafing and a more prominent scuff at the bottom corner. The right hand side spine is in excellent physical shape but there is linear rub wear which has obscured some short sections of the text down the fold line.

Inner Sleeves: EXCELLENT PLUS original thick card printed with photo-montage, credits and titles.

Postcard Inserts: NEAR MINT, an amazing feature based on ‘the fall from Exile on Main Street’ a bizarre mini-play with comments from the group. Remarkably and fortuitously all 12 are still with this album from new, they remain attached folded in 6 pairs with perforations, as per photograph, and in near new condition.

Vinyl Warp: none visible when eye tested on a moving turntable.

Vinyl Weight: 152 & 141 grammes (two robust ROLLING STONE heavyweights)

Play Grade: I consider all aspects of an albums condition and grading to be highly important and I place particular emphasis on the quality of the audio delivery; superior audio performance is, above all, the main reasons for listening to vinyl. For this reason I have decided to extend my play grade to rate separately how ‘clearly’ and ‘cleanly’ the sound is received. It is quite possible with vinyl to experience great ‘clarity’ and reality without the sound being exceptionally ‘clean’ - that’s ok with me, but it may not satisfy the audiophile. So, a NEAR MINT & NEAR MINT will be the best grade with EXCELLENT & VERY GOOD PLUS or better being highly satisfactory.

THIS ALBUM PLAY-GRADES: EXCELLENT & EXCELLENT MINUS 

Audio Performance: THIS WAS AN ABSOLUTELY DELIGHTFUL AUDIO PERFORMANCE FOR ME FROM TWO FINE VINYLS DELIVERING SUPERB SOUND QUALITY - THE CLARITY OF SOUND IS VERY IMPRESSIVE AND THE CLEANLINESS OF PLAY IS ONLY A LITTLE LESS SO, DUE TO SOME OCCASIONAL MINOR UNDERLYING SURFACE SOUND WHICH IS NOT INTRUSIVE, NOT SIGNIFICANT AND MOST OF THE TIME NOT AUDIBLE. I ALWAYS SAY PLEASE BEAR IN MIND THAT THIS SECTION AND THE GRADING IS BASED ENTIRELY ON MY PERSONAL OPINION AND AUDIO PERCEPTION BELONGS TO THE INDIVIDUAL. WITH VINYL CLARITY THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT TRANSITIONAL SURFACE SOUND WHICH IS INEVITABLE FROM THIS MEDIUM, EVEN WHEN NEW, AND OCCASIONALLY A LITTLE LIGHT CRACKLE WHICH IS OFTEN STATIC, OR EVEN A RANDOM SOFT TICK - BUT THIS WAS COMPLETELY ENJOYABLE AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED - CLASSIC STONES SOUND, REAL AND UNCOMPROMISING - AN EXCELLENT EXAMPLE WHICH WILL BE A FINE ADDITION TO ANY COLLECTION.

Other: Highly collectible as a complete first issue and you are unlikely to find another one as good as this in the foreseeable future.

PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS BY CLICKING ON THE ‘VIEW SELLERS OTHER ITEMS’ IN THE TOP RIGHT HAND CORNER BOX OF THIS LISTING - THANK YOU.

My definition of a rare vinyl: Generally there is agreement that to qualify for the description rare there should not be too many of the type offered, available on the market at the time. With my listings that will be the main criterion however I will also occasionally claim rarity based on excellence of condition, or some other key feature, or an accompanying item such as an insert, which is not often found with similar vinyls.

UK first and early pressings: This has become something of a ‘fashion accessory’ for many of the albums listed on eBay and, as with fashion, there are many imitators. Of course with the more popular huge selling albums, where the record companies were fairly sure of major sales from the outset, there were many first pressings but otherwise this was not usually the case. Generally the lower the numbers in the matrices and stamper codes on the vinyl ‘run off’ areas, on both sides of a record, the earlier the pressing therefore ‘A1’ & ‘B1’ are most often first or early pressings, but there are variants and exceptions to the rule. The most notable ones, for example where the ‘1’ matrix was only used for test pressings so the commercial releases started at ‘2’, are well documented now but there are a few more observations which are worth noting. There are low numbered matrices which belong to second and even third pressings (in these cases the record companies gave similar numbers to the first press of a re-issue) you can normally identify these by, examining the labels which are often different in texture and/or design, and by checking the weight of the record as the earlier pressings were normally heavier. This weight difference can also be indicative where different symbols were used in the matrices. For example some record companies first denoted early pressings with A61 & B61 and then soon after changed to A // 1 & B // 1, in these cases weight of the vinyl is often very helpful with identification. Occasionally there are high numbers on first pressings, but this is unusual. Other points to note are the manufacturer of the ‘cover’ or ‘outer sleeve’ and various characteristics or design variants. The ‘inner sleeve’ or ‘bag’ can also be an indicator. However it is not wise to rely on details beyond the matrices and labels as the covers and sleeves can easily be interchanged. ‘Made Up’, Swapped’ or ‘Doctored’ sets are not uncommon, particularly with high value albums which have inserts and special text, so the best advice is to try and make sure that everything matches the criteria thus eliminating most of the risk (a good look at the photographs on the listing, if they are of the actual item offered as they are on all of my listings, is always advisable). As a general rule I suggest that you don’t pay hundred’s or thousands of pounds unless you are buying from a reliable source who provide you with comprehensive information and have a clearly stated ‘Returns Policy’ - or unless you’ve got money to throw away (and in that case there are any number of far more deserving charities)

Audio reproduction on vinyl: In my experience there is always an element of surface or background sound with audio reproduction on vinyl, even when new - very hard to imagine how there could not be when two solid surfaces come into contact with each other and are then amplified! In my opinion anybody who claims there is no surface sound, or ‘silence’, is hard of hearing, has not turned the amplifier on, or is using very poor quality audio equipment. Almost all used vinyl has at least light surface scratches which are always visible when viewed under a bright halogen light - which is what I use for inspection. So if you are uncomfortable with a bit of light crackling it’s probably best not to buy vinyl. In my opinion the light surface sound is more than compensated for by the clarity and ‘reality’ of the overall sound reproduction. I listen carefully to every album I list, before listing it for sale.

Finally: All of this comment contained in this listing is subjective, it is based only on my opinion and your expectations may not necessarily correspond with my standards. If you receive an album from me and you have some differences please remember to use reasonable communication as a first option. I have a comprehensive non confrontational ‘Returns Policy’ which is clearly set out below and providing there is no abuse, or use the negative feedback system, I will always reimburse you in full for your direct costs if you return the album correctly.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE

DESCRIPTIONS: Are given in good faith, but they are based on my opinion and standards.  Bidders should note that they offer at their own risk and must satisfy themselves that they have sufficient information about the item before they enter the bidding process.  Please ask questions before you become involved with the auction, NOT afterwards! Where I list sizes/dimensions they are either as stated on the item/label by the supplier/manufacturer or reasonably accurately hand tape measured; however, they are not necessarily precise, should be taken as approximate and not relied upon where absolute precision is required. This clause does not in any way affect your rights under the terms of my ‘Returns Policy’, it is stated to prevent unnecessary inconvenience to both parties.

INFORMATION: Whilst I take care to try and provide accurate information on the original listing it is possible that new information may become available to me afterwards. I therefore strongly recommend that all bidders read any revisions and the ongoing questions / answers section of the listing before bidding as they may contain updated information which could affect your valuation of the item(s). In the event that new information is published, after the time you have become the high bidder, which adversely affects your valuation of the item(s) and you wish to withdraw from the bidding process please email your request and I will use the cancel bid option with no ongoing liability to any of the parties involved in the auction.

PHOTOGRAPHS: All photographs contained within this listing show the actual item (s) offered – they are not catalogue, archive or library photographs.  Furthermore they are direct images and not re-touched or modified in any way. I try to make good and comprehensive use of images on the listing in order to give the prospective bidder the best opportunity to evaluate the item(s); however it is possible that in some circumstances the photographs can enhance the appearance of the item(s) due to compression so please take this into account before bidding and do not hesitate to ask for more images or information which I am happy to send by attachment to email. This is particularly recommended with overseas buyers where returns are often not a viable option.  

OVERSEAS BUYERS WELCOME: I am pleased to deal with buyers from anywhere in the world. My method of LP packaging reduces the risk to your valuable vinyls & covers in transit. Makes no sense to me to buy something important and then play the ‘high risk of damage game’ when having it shipped around the world – I hope you feel the same. Unless the prospective bidder / buyer states a preference I always quote Airmail as Surface Mail does not usually cost much less and takes a long time (again more risk of damage or loss I think). Also please note that for British Pounds £3.30 extra you can have an International Signed for service which includes insurance up to £32. Insurance quotations to a value you specify in advance of shipping are available on request.

PACKING & POSTAGE:  Vinyl’s are removed from covers and placed in separate transit sleeves. All components are then placed side by side in a polythene inner for extra safety and water resistance and then secured between two corrugated card stiffeners. I use Heavy Duty Mailers Specifically Designed for Vinyl Albums, which provide excellent security and protection, in conjunction with my own Ultra Safe reinforced sealing and packaging method. Internally I use 2 of the highest grade ‘B’ flute corrugated card stiffeners to prevent bending, deformation or edge/corner creasing. Packing & postage prices are NOT negotiable on items dispatched individually or separately. However, if you are a similar time multiple buyer where all items purchased are being sent to the same address and they can be combined safely, you can ask for a discounted quotation before bidding. I will always try to be fair with buyers on p&p costs but if you do not want to pay the prices on the listings or quotations please do not bid.  I am not interested in hearing from successful bidders afterwards questioning and complaining about cost of packing and postage! I always keep proof of posting but unless you pay for Recorded Delivery, International Signed For, Special Delivery or Full Insurance I may not be able to assist you with recovery of the item or any of the costs.

Where postal insurance is included it is subject to Royal Mail Standard Terms & Conditions. Quotations for other insurance or premiums to cover increased values are available on request.

PAYMENT: For Buyers WITHIN the UK: PayPal, or Pound sterling cheques / money orders, with minimum 7 days to clear before despatch.

PAYMENT: For Buyers OUTSIDE of the UK: Payments by PayPal only please.

CANCELLATION: The Seller reserves the right to cancel any bid, entirely at his discretion and without giving prior notice, in the following circumstances:

They have reason to believe that the bidder has not complied with the terms of their offer as set out on the listing.

The bidder’s feedback is of such limited quantity that it cannot be regarded as reliable.

The bidder’s feedback is of dubious quality and/or gives the seller any indication or reason to doubt the credibility of the bid.

MY FEEDBACK POLICY: I leave feedback for buyers after they inform me that they have received the item(s) and have left me their feedback. As I have a clearly stated Returns Policy, which does not expose the buyer to any direct loss whatsoever, I see no reason for either side to indulge in negative feedback. Providing the buyer does not engage in threats, abuse or use of negative feedback I will resolve any problem in a fair and reasonable way. If you have a problem or complaint about any transaction you have made with me contact me on somemightsell_e@btinternet.com and we will find a solution that is acceptable to you.

SUPERSIZED PHOTOGRAPHS: I have super-sized the photographs below to provide prospective bidders with the best opportunity to make their valuation before entering the bidding process, please just click on the ‘Larger Picture’ and arrows to use this facility. Sometimes due to reflection these images can appear slightly distorted, ‘graining’ can appear and dust particles can be exaggerated by the light - in reality there are no defects of this kind.