Beatles LP - Rubber Soul Original 1965 UK 1st Pressing

	£		165
	$		219

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The Beatles – Rubber Soul 1965 – UK 1st pressing on the yellow & black Parlophone labels. PMC 1267 dating to on or before the original 3rd December 1965 release date. Comes in its original 1st issue Garrod & Lofthouse patents pending sleeve.

A truly EXCELLENT copy of this ultra-rare ‘loud-cut’ crossover.

Of all Rubber Soul matrix variants that were released in 1965 the -1 matrix pressing is by far the rarest. Pressed in relatively small numbers; one only has to look at the frequency at which they now appear at auction to realise how scarce they are. This particular copy is the ‘crossover’ version, possibly the rarest of all. Side one having the -4 matrix whilst side two has the -1 matrix.

As John Lennon once said ‘Rubber Soul’ is when it started to get interesting’. A great album with tracks such as ‘Norwegian Wood’, ‘Michelle’, ‘Girl’, ‘in My Life’ and many more.

The workload of the Beatles in 1965 was enormous. After finishing their 2nd American tour at the end of August 1965 they returned home and under pressure from EMI were compelled to write, record and produce an album in time for the Christmas market.

It’s an indication of their genius; for what they came up with inside those few weeks was the masterpiece – Rubber Soul. Recording finished in November of 1965 and discs were cut on 17th, 19th and 23rd of that month and rushed to the EMI pressing plant in Hayes where production immediately started. The finished article was delivered into the shops on the 3rd December 1965. These -4/-1 matrix pressings are a significant rarity along with the XEX 606-1 copies of Revolver.

Happy bidding and good luck!

Matrix numbers: XEX 579-4 & YEX 580-1 (‘Loud Cut’ matrix)

Stamper codes: 4,8/GTR & 3,6/GDA (there appears to be the letter 'C' above the numbers 3,6)

Please check out the pictures and read on for further details:-

CONDITION

Disc

Visual: EXCELLENT+

A superb looking disc which appears mint in strong daylight and is free from any noticeable marks or scratches. On close inspection under harsh halogen lighting there are general light whispy sleeve removal marks, indicating that the record has been played a moderate amount of times but at the same time carefully handled. The heavy duty disc lies 100% flat on the turntable.

Labels: Side 1 EXCELLENT+ Side 2 EXCELLENT

Both labels have visible spindle marks, with more marks visible on label two than label one, indicating that side one has received more plays. All lettering is unworn and clearly visible and there is no writing to any label. Side one carries the KT tax code.

Audio: Side 1 MINT- Side 2 EXCELLENT+

A superb sounding copy with very little to fault. Side one grades at near mint with most tracks achieving a mint grade. Norwegian Wood, Nowhere Man, and the easily damaged track Girl all play superbly. I detected some light surface noise on ‘Michelle’ and ‘In My Life’; side two grades at or around excellent+. There are no loud pops or ticks and the record does not jump or stick.

Cover

EXCELLENT- 

Overall a presentable cover. There is some thumbnail creasing to the opening edge and some minor damage along the bottom edge, which I initially missed on first inspection so not particularly noticeable. The rear panel is free from writing and overall is impressive for its age. There is some light staining to the opening edge on the rear panel. All flipbacks are strong and intact. The cover grades at excellent minus.

Inner-sleeve EXCELLENT

Original 1965 rice paper inner

Any questions please ask

PLEASE NOTE: 1st class next day Special Delivery to UK addresses will be 8.50 GBP. For worldwide shipments please email me for price.

This record has been strictly and conservatively graded to ‘UK RECORD COLLECTOR' standards.

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