Such was the rush to get this album into the shops, earliest 1st pressings of this album were housed in early Fourth proof covers.
This is one of those early copies from day-of-release on June 1st 1967 on the black yellow Parlophone label: PMC 7027
Both labels have the correct Sold in UK... text with The Parlophone Co.. rim texts.
The KT purchase tax code is present in the centre of the side 1 label.
Matrices: XEX 637-1 XEX 638-1
Stamper codes: 6/RLH 8/ROP
Vinyl weight: 134g
Housed in a fully laminated Garrod Lofthouse printed mono cover with Fourth Proof and AR D 13217 printed on the flipover on the right panel inside the gatefold.
Complete with its original red white designer inner-sleeve unused cut-out insert.
CONDITION
Labels: 1. MINT 2. EXCELLENT
Both are clean bright with no spindle marks or wear on side 1 and just a handful of clumsy spindle trails on label 2.
Visual: EXCELLENT
Superb deep-gloss playing surfaces which are unmarked in strong daylight with only a few harmless hairline paper marks from the few times the disc has been removed from its inner-sleeve.
Audio: EXCELLENT
This disc has seen very little play and all tracks play with the warmth and presence expected from such an early mono pressing. Our careful play-check detected no groove/play wear or any clicks, pops or ticks anywhere. Aside from the usual touch of background on She s Leaving Home , there is nothing to fault. A very enjoyable listening copy.
Cover: EXCELLENT
4th proof covers do not age well but thankfully this example has been well looked-after and bears light storagewear only. The outer panels are clean unfaded with light rubbing from storage but no thumbnail wrinkles front or rear. There is a small bruise to the upper left corner but all of the others are in great shape. The tiny fleck in the lower right corner of the front panel is underneath the laminate. Both panels inside the gatefold are immaculate and the all-important Fourth Proof wording is in perfect shape. The spine is flattened but fully worded and all seams are smooth, unstressed unsplit. Tough to find better.
Inner-sleeve: EXCELLENT
Clean flat with just an unavoidable disc impression, but no writing, tears or seam splits.
Cut-out Sheet Insert: MINT
