The Beatles - Rubber Soul
I am pleased to offer for sale this superb, UK mono 1st pressing of The Beatles eighth studio album, Sgt Pepper s Lonely Heart s club band.
Although the Beatles had marked their movement away from their beat-band origins through Rubber Soul and Revolver, Sgt Pepper signified a step change with influences from music hall, avant-garde, Indian and Western all evident. There was a noticeable before and after.
Through a modern lens we acknowledge that the album was one of the first art rock albums, one of the first concept albums, a progenitor to progressive rock, a catalyst for the British psychedelic movement it was a unique moment in cultural history where at the same time the most popular musical act were also the most experimental. When considering the album cover art designed by Jann Haworth and Peter Blake, the inner sleeve designed by the Fool art collective and the cut-out insert designed by Blake, one must conclude that the Sgt. Pepper LP album is as much a piece of high art as it is a piece of music. In time I am sure this is how we will all view it.
In my opinion Sgt. Pepper is a must-have addition to any record collection. Despite many modern attempts to improve the audio through digital enhancement, a clean copy of the 1967 UK mono 1st pressing still stands out as the premier listening experience. Don t take my word for it, a complete audio recording is included in the listing below
The album being sold in this listing features a superb LP that is housed within an as-new wide-spine sleeve and as such presents an extremely rare opportunity for you to purchase your final upgrade investment copy.
Album Details:
Serial number: PMC 7027
Matrix number: XEX 637 - 1 / XEX 638 - 1
Stamper codes: 3 MT / 4 AM
Tax Codes: KT
Vinyl Weight: 165g
The -1 / -1 matrix numbers confirm that the record is a true UK first pressing.
The black labels with yellow Parlophone logo and silver text are the first variant as is evident from the Sold in the U.K. ... text present to both sides.
This copy comes with the first variant fully laminated gatefold sleeve with flip-backs to the top side of the inner gatefold and the extremely desirable wide spine.
The album is complete with the original red and white wavy psychedelic inner sleeve designed by The Fool art collective and the cut-out insert sheet designed by Peter Blake.
Condition Report:
The condition report provided below is given as a guide only. I include high-quality, comprehensive photographs as well as a complete audio recording in my listings to enable you to make an informed decision on the condition of this record yourself.
Disc: EXCELLENT
Labels: EXCELLENT
The labels are clean and retain rich, vibrant colours. Although no spindle trails are visible, subtle wear to both centre holes can be seen - I presume this is from the spindle of the previous owners record player.
Visual: EXCELLENT
Sound Quality: MINT -
Please note: the eBay app does not facilitate playback. Please use the internet site to enjoy the audio clips.
Side 1:
Side 2:
As can be heard in the recordings, this is a copy that has been seldom played on good quality equipment. The lead ins are quiet. During the dead-wax between tracks only the unavoidable sound of the rotating stylus can be heard. She s Leaving Home , considered by many as the litmus test for Sgt Pepper, is extremely clean. Throughout the remaining tracks the bass is punchy, the vocals clear and the mids well defined. A truly superb listening experience.
Sleeve: MINT -
Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT
The original inner sleeve is in great condition. It is very clean and displays only mild creasing. The cut-out insert is as-new.
Additional Details:
Before the audio test, the vinyl was cleaned first by an Okki Nokki vacuum cleaner and then an Audio Desk ultrasonic cleaner.
After cleaning, the vinyl was placed inside a brand new mobile fidelity anti-static inner sleeve.
The vinyl will be packaged outside of the sleeve, both of which are stored inside an archival quality polypropylene outer sleeve.
The record will be sent via an insured courier in a padded vinyl mailer.
Please see my other listings for more Beatles rarities.
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