BEATLES LP SGT PEPPER 1ST PRESS WIDE SPINE SUPERB EXCELLENT +

	£		280
	$		371

THE BEATLES LP ( 1967 )
' SGT PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND '

BEATLES Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band LP, Parlophone PMC 7027, early UK 1st MONO pressing from 1967 with XEX 637-1 & XEX 638-1 stamped matrixes and 3/RT & 3/5/AG stamper codes. Both labels have the 'Sold in UK..' text plus a 'KT' purchase tax code on the label of side two. The album has been housed in an earliest-type fully laminated gatefold cover with inner-flipover flaps & 9mm wide spine. The record comes complete with red-and-white designer inner-sleeve, as well as unused cut-out sheet.

What is significant about these early wide spine covers is the fact that they contain some of the earliest records pressed; The latter often date to or around the first day of production.

These thick wide spine covers were, according to some sources to be trusted, originally designed to accommodate an array of cardboard souvenirs which the Beatles had wanted to place into the gatefold sleeve for their fans. As production budgets escalated, EMI decided to cut costs. Ultimately, the plans to include these souvenirs were abandoned. Production then quickly switched to the narrower spine.

It is difficult to determine how many wide spine covers were produced, but they were certainly made in comparatively small numbers and would have formed part of the advanced orders pressed ahead of the June 1st release date.

It is important to note that in the light of all subsequent re-mastered versions of this album, including stereo versions, the 1967 vinyl MONO mix is the only version of ‘Pepper’ to have been overseen by all four Beatles. This is ‘Pepper’ as the Beatles intended it to be.

The labels are in an EXCELLENT+ condition and practically no spindle trails.

The disc is in an EXCELLENT+ condition. Both playing surfaces are clean and bright with a respectable gloss finish retained. A careful inspection in strong daylight reveals numerous ultra faint wispy/micro sleeve removal marks, but there is nothing I would call a scratch.  It is extremely difficult to find such an early vinyl in such a great condition.

This copy has clearly been barely played. Nevertheless, the sound throughout is spectacular. Every track plays cleanly and clearly with no traces of any groove/play wear on any song and in either channel. Really nothing else to fault audibly on this superb copy.

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In my opinion, this 1967 MONO mix is far superior to the stereo version and is the only version of Pepper to have been overseen by all four Beatles. It is less fussy than the stereo version and more subtle, the overall audio landscape that it paints is significantly different from all later remixes. This is ‘Pepper’ in the form the Beatles intended it to be. Needless to say, it is a fabulous listening experience and an album which is difficult to become tired of especially in such wonderful analogue condition.

The cover is in an EXCELLENT+ condition. It is a fabulously preserved 1st issue wide spine cover. Due to the thickness of the spine (approx. 9mm wide), these 1st issue covers often ended up with their spines being crushed over time. Only the ones which were well cared for and carefully stored have their spines preserved in the condition that they left the factory in. I’m happy to report that the spine in the case of this cover is uncrushed and in superb condition.

The front panel is pristine . It is a remarkable feat for a cover which is rapidly approaching its half centenary. I have very little to fault on this cover; there are just very minor light feathering on the rear. Both panels inside the gatefold are unblemished and crackles like new when opened. The spine is clean, white, and square with no damages caused to the wording or laminate. The product is a strong and truly excellent example of an ultra-rare and early cover.          

Cardboard cut-out is also EXCELLENT + 

Original 1967 psychedelic inner sleeve is EXCELLENT.