BEATLES Abbey Road UK Apple 1969 PCS 7088 -2/-1 1st press EX+ VINYL, SUPER AUDIO

	£		34
	$		45

THE BEATLES - ABBEY ROAD

A rare and sought after copy of this 1969 UK 1st pressing issue on the UK Apple label, STEREO PCS 7088

The dead wax matrix numbers are :

Side 1  YEX 749 - 2 with stampers "4" and "P G G" at 5 o'clock and 10 o'clock respectively

Side 2  YEX 750 - 1 with stampers "4" and "0D A" at 6 o'clock and 12.30 o'clock respectively

The appearance of the vinyl is excellent+. Completely flat and when viewed in normal daylight still retaining a beautiful glossy sheen and jet black lacquer - a real gleamer! It's only under a bright light that a few wispy hairlines and the occasional very light paper scuffs come into view, but there is nothing here that is feelable and which detracts from the overall excellent condition of this vinyl. Remarkably impressive condition considering it's 49 year old antiquity.

The labels are excellent. The only blemishes are just a couple of very light spindle trails adjacent to the centre hole on each side and even then you have to look hard under a bright light to notice them. Note the presence of two light vertical yellow bars on the side 2 label - these are not man made, they emanate from the manufacturing process and the only explanation I have been able to find is that of an ink shortage of a specific colour at the instant this label was printed! That seems a bit far fetched to me but if there is anybody out there who has a better explanation or, even better, witnessed this label quirk elsewhere then please get in touch. Nevertheless, whatever the reason it has certainly provided the uniqueness factor to this specific slab of vinyl!

The front and reverse side laminated Garrod & Lofthouse outer sleeve is excellent.  All edges remain firm with no scuffing, and that includes the firm spine where all writing remains perfectly legible. Each corner remains well defined with some minimal rubbing on the top left corner, and the iconic front and reverse side photography and colouring remains completely intact with a vibrant appearance - very impressive. There is just the occasional light laminate crease adjacent and perpendicular to an edge but these are few and far between and very minor, and when held in a bright light and tilted at the right angle the merest hint of some side 1 ring wear comes into evidence towards the top of the front side...nothing really. There is a small area (the size of a thumb nail) of laminate lifting towards the top right corner on the reverse side (see photo). Apart from these minor blemishes the outer sleeve remains in overall excellent condition.

Finally, the quality of the audio is superb. There is wonderful tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or clicks (apart from a single mild click during "Something" for which I have been unable to detect a reason despite close up inspection of the vinyl under a bright light) and not even the usual light background interference - utterly stunning stereo reproduction from start to finish, with every track on this wonderful LP making for a great listen.

The tracks are :

Side 1 :

1. COME TOGETHER

2. SOMETHING

3. MAXWELL'S SILVER HAMMER

4. OH! DARLING

5. OCTOPUS'S GARDEN

6. I WANT YOU (She's so heavy)

Side 2 :

1. HERE COMES THE SUN

2. BECAUSE

3. YOU NEVER GIVE ME YOUR MONEY

4. SUN KING

5. MEAN MR MUSTARD

6. POLYTHENE PAM

7. SHE CAME IN THROUGH THE BATHROOM WINDOW

8. GOLDEN SLUMBERS

9. CARRY THAT WEIGHT

10. THE END

Comes with rarer poly-line and single-sided die cut black outer sleeve with no splits or tears and in overall excellent condition with just some mild creasing towards the corners. Note that I always post the record in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.

In summary a truly EXCELLENT (at least) copy of this rare and highly sought after 1969 UK first stereo pressing Beatles classic, worthy of gracing any serious record collection and only continuing to gain in value.

 If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 

If this record interests you then take a look at my other 60's & 70's classic vinyl listings.

A bit about myself : I have been collecting vinyl for more than 48 years and have amassed a huge collection covering a varied genre, but mostly of 1960's and 70's origin. Most of my records were originally bought by myself for my own collection, but during the past 30 years I have embellished my collection by buying records from a variety of sources : friends/acquaintances, car boot sales, auctions, and even through putting up a "vinyl wanted" notice in my wife's shop! I never intended selling any of my records but I am now retired and a combination of space requirements (caused partly by duplication) and a need to help fund my retirement has prompted me to "rationalise" my record collection and sell many of my much loved gems. My only wish is that they go to good homes.

My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I'll sort out the problem. I offer a "no quibble" refund policy. 

On the subject of postage, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper vinyl cardboard mailer along with at least two cardboard stiffeners. I take great care in separating the record from the outer sleeve in order to help prevent sleeve damage in transit and I always insert the vinyl, outer sleeve and inner into a clear plastic sleeve, thus adding further protection. 

For this item postage & packaging will be Royal Mail 1st class signed for  : UK £4.00, continental Europe £9, and Rest of the World £13. 

 I do discount post & packaging costs for multiple purchases. I do NOT profit from postage.

Good luck with your bidding! Richard

NOTE : My vinyl descriptions comply with the official Record Collector vinyl grading guidelines :

Mint

The records itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. The cover and any extra items, such as the lyric sheet, booklet or poster are in perfect condition. Records advertised as Sealed or Unplayed should be Mint.

Excellent

The record shows some signs of having been played, but there is very little lessening in sound quality. The cover and packaging might have slight wear and /or creasing.

Very Good

The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and the occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items, without any major defects, is acceptable.

Good

The record has been played so much that the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated, perhaps with some distortion and mild scratches. The cover and contents suffer from folding, scuffing of edges, spine splits, discolouration, etc.

Fair

The record is still just playable but has not been cared for properly and displays considerable surface noise; it may even jump. The cover and contents are torn, stained and/or defaced

Poor

The record will not play properly due to scratches, bad surface noise, etc. The cover and contents are badly damaged or partly missing.

Bad

The record is unplayable or might even be broken, and is only of use as a collection-filler