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

	£		49
	$		65

THE BEATLES - ABBEY ROAD

An increasingly 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 "11 D 11" and "9 12" (both inverted) at 8.30 o'clock and 2.30 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. It's only under a bright light that a few wispy hairlines and the occasional very light paper scuff 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) and two what appear to be small finger prints (they're not!) at the top of the side 1 label...all very minor, with all of the black text on each dark green label being perfect and no unwanted writing or doodles. Lovely!

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 a perfectly defined right angle with no rubbing, 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 each edge (x4 on the bottom, x3 on the top, and x7 on the spine) but these are very minor; and exactly the same on the reverse side with x4 adjacent to the bottom edge and x7 adjacent to the top edge - again, very minor. There is also some light, occasional and small areas of vertical laminate lifting on the reverse side adjacent to the spine and just the hint of some very minor ring wear, only just visible on each side when the sleeve is held at the right angle and in a bright light. There are also x4 (two on each side) 1-2cm very light, sporadic laminate creases but these are barely noticeable. Apart from these minor blemishes (and they truly are minor) the outer sleeve remains in overall excellent condition.

Finally, the quality of the audio is brilliant! There is wonderful tone and clarity throughout and with no distortion, even on the higher frequencies and at higher volume. No skips or  nasty clicks (I noticed x2 very mild background clicks towards the beginning of "Because" on side 2 but close inspection of the vinyl under a bright light revealed no obvious reason for these so I'm assuming it's down to dust in the grooves through decades of storage) and the only background interference is just the merest hint of a little background crackle/static during a couple of the interludes on side 1 and during a couple of the quieter moments on side 2 - very minor indeed. Basically this is 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

11. HER MAJESTY

Comes with rarer plain white "COPYRIGHT EXISTS IN ALL APPLE RECORDINGS" outer sleeve in overall excellent condition with just a single 7cm split on the bottom edge. 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 copy of this 1969 UK increasingly rare and sought after first stereo pressing Beatles classic - a worthy addition to any vinyl 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 and packing, I take great care in the packaging of all items, using a proper "MUSICMAX" strong cardboard crucifix vinyl mailer with at least two added 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 £10, and Rest of the World £14. 

 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