Beatles Sgt Pepper Rare UK 1st Ever Press Mint Mono Y B Top Audio .

	£		179
	$		237

 

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    The Beatles – Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band   Presenting an authentic piece of music history – the original 1967 UK Mono pressing of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. This rare gem boasts the coveted 1st press yellow & black Parlophone label, encapsulating the essence of a bygone era.   Complete with its original flip back cover, rare inner, and cut-outs insert, this LP is a collector's dream. Securing a copy in great condition that plays brilliantly from start to finish is especially challenging, making this version of Sgt. Pepper's a remarkable find for enthusiasts and collectors.   Cat No: MONO - PMC 7027     Label Press Details   First released in 1967, this Original 1st ever Press comes with the Yellow & Black PARLOPHONE labels with 'K and T’ tax Credits.   Parlophone pressings have 'The Gramophone Co. Ltd',  and 'P 1967' label texts. The matrix numbers read: 'XEX 637-1' & 'XEX 638-1' and this pressing has the 'Sold in The UK' resale right text.     Matrix Nos. On Run-Out Groove   Side 1.  -  XEX 637 1 - 1st Ever Yellow and Black matrix Side 2.  -  XEX 638 1      Mother Stampers: Rare Mother Stampers   Side 1: '3 T T'  Side 2: '3 G D O'         Track Listing   Side 1 - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - A Little Help from My Friends - Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds - Getting Better - Fixing A Hole - She's Leaving Home - Being for The Benefit of Mr Kite   Side 2 - Within You Without You - When I'm Sixty-Four - Lovely Rita - Good Morning Good Morning - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) - A Day in The Life     

 

History

  Originally released in June 1967, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the iconic album by The Beatles, stands as a groundbreaking musical masterpiece. Not only did it dominate the charts, spending an impressive 27 weeks at the top of the UK Album Chart and 15 weeks at number one on the American Billboard 200, but it also garnered critical acclaim.   Prominent critic Kenneth Tynan, in a notable review for The Times, declared Sgt. Pepper's a "decisive moment in the history of Western civilization." The album marked a turning point in the music industry, pushing boundaries with its innovative production techniques and eclectic mix of musical styles.   This particular edition, released in limited quantity, is a rare gem for collectors. Complete with the original Peter Blake/Jann Haworth cut-out insert and the original white inner sleeve, it not only embodies the musical brilliance of Sgt. Pepper's but also holds a piece of the cultural revolution it sparked.   Recorded over a 129-day period beginning in December 1966, Sgt. Pepper sees the band further exploring the experimentation of their previous album, Revolver (1966). Utilizing orchestras, hired musicians, and innovative production techniques, the album incorporates elements of genres such as music hall, jazz, rock and roll, western classical, and traditional Indian music. Its lyrics delve into themes of childhood and everyday life.   The cohesive structure, careful sequencing, and transitioning of songs, along with the use of the Sgt. Pepper framing motif, have led the album to be widely acknowledged as an early and groundbreaking example of the concept album.   Mono vs. Stereo: Unveiling Sonic Nuances   During the mixing of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles actively participated in the creation of both mono and stereo versions. The LP's initial release featured both mixes, each crafted with distinct characteristics by Abbey Road engineers under the guidance of Geoff Emerick.   These two mixes exhibit numerous variations. For instance, the stereo rendition of "She's Leaving Home" was mixed at a slower speed, resulting in a tempo and pitch lower than the original recording. Conversely, the mono version of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" has a slightly slower pace than its stereo counterpart, adorned with pronounced flanging and reverb effects. In the mono version of "Sgt. Pepper (Reprise)," McCartney's forceful yelling voice is distinctly audible, while it becomes nearly inaudible in the stereo rendition. The drums in the mono version also command more presence and force in the mix. Notably, the famous segue at the end of "Good Morning Good Morning" and the crowd noise tape in the intro to "Sgt. Pepper (Reprise)" exhibit timing disparities in the stereo mix.   Further distinctions unfold, such as louder laughter at the conclusion of the mono mix of "Within You Without You," a burst of laughter during the reprise version's intro to the title track, and a colder, echo-less ending on the mono version of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!"   This first ever mono release offers an unparalleled listening experience, providing enthusiasts with a glimpse into the sonic intricacies of the early pressing.     Album Sound Grading - VERY GOOD to NEAR MINT   This vinyl consistently delivers excellent sound quality from start to finish. Sgt. Pepper's, being a complex and varied musical collection, is also a notably sensitive piece of vinyl. Finding it in clear audio condition can be a challenge, especially considering the intricacies of tracks like 'Within You Without You.'   Fortunately, this pressing stands out with crystal clear sound throughout. There's no dominant or noticeable interference, and absolutely no hissing, crackle, loud pops, or clicks. The record impressively maintains top-notch sound separation and clarity.   The channels are clean and unstressed, providing a listening experience with staggering power and near silence between tracks. The sound is rich and detailed, featuring massive dynamics and a unique mix and production. Below is a detailed account:   Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band: Bursting in with great clear sound, this track exhibits no pops or clicks and virtually no static, except during the run-ins. The audio is crystal clear, setting a high standard for the album.   A Little Help From My Friends: Leading seamlessly into this track, both play with super clear audio, free of pops or clicks. There's only a single pop, demonstrating the overall impressive audio quality.   Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds: Often prone to interference and surface sound, this track defies expectations, playing with great, clear audio. It's a superb example with minimal background static, a rare feat that enhances the listening experience.   Getting Better: Continuing the trend, this track plays with great clear sound, devoid of detectable static. The pressing allows you to hear sounds that are typically lost, contributing to an exceptional audio performance. It seamlessly leads into Fixing a Hole.   Fixing a Hole: An amazing performance with no pops or clicks, just a couple of light tics. The pressing ensures a clean and enjoyable listening experience.   She's Leaving Home: The ultra-delicate nature of this track is beautifully preserved with no pops or clicks. While there's some light static, it's minimal and doesn't detract from the poignant essence of the song.   Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite: This track plays through with great clear sound, exemplifying the outstanding performance of this 1st press.   Side 2: Begins with the eastern-influenced Within You Without You, and all the complex layering is clearly defined. There is very little very light static at the very start, and the sound is crystal clear. There are about 15 light clicks in the middle of the track.   When I'm Sixty-Four: Another relatively quiet track, plays really well. I noticed very little light static in the middle of the track, but any static is very light and there are no loud tics or pops.   Lovely Rita: Plays with no pops or clicks, and barely any detectable static. Good Morning Good Morning bursts in, and although it's a slightly raucous track, it is still heavily layered. There is some light static, and the layering is crystal clear.   Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise):  Sounds perfect and leads into the album finale and masterpiece,    A Day in the Life: This is such a varied and delicate track, with such a range of sound effects and quiet areas; it's usually heavily overshadowed with static and even distortion. Not here – it plays absolutely beautifully, with super clear sound and no loud pops or clicks. Very little detectable surface sound, just great, crystal clear audio. Amazing clear sound, there are a few extremely light, barely audible static tics in the middle only (about 5), and no pops and no clicks. Even in the long outro, there is minimal surface sound, and it leads to the near fabled rare ending loop; a recording of the Beatles talking, which was then cut up, spliced back together, and played back repeatedly. Known as 'The Sgt. Pepper Inner Groove.'   Superb Audio Quality   Every track has been tested, and no sound blemishes were found. This vinyl offers wonderful top audio, free from distortion, sticks, or jumps. There's virtual silence between the tracks, providing an immersive listening experience.   This vinyl is truly an absolute gem. 'A Day in the Life' stands out with silence in the run-ins and quiet areas. The music, characterized by great clarity, is a rare find with this type of sound. It would be hard to ever surpass this audio performance.   The music jumps out with definition and clarity, showcasing tremendous power in the vocals, bass guitar, and drums. The guitars come through crisp and clear, contributing to a sensational pressing. The tonal quality, enhanced by the clear and extra loud First cut engineering, gives the audio a vibrant sound that cannot be beaten. This brilliant first mono mix, unlike reissues, maintains a significant impact. A TOP all-round example of this great vinyl, truly a classic.   This vinyl provides a great audio pleasure, deserving a VERY GOOD to NEAR MINT grading. Nearly all the tracks play at Excellent to Near Mint, with the exception of Within You Without You.     The Labels - Graded at Excellent Plus to Near Mint   These Parlophone labels are in spectacular condition, earning them a grading of Excellent Plus to Near Mint. Remarkably well-preserved, they show no signs of sticker marks or writing, and there is no evidence of spindle wear. Barely any spindle traces are present, with perhaps one tiny ultra-faint line on side 1 only, and even these are barely visible. This set of labels is truly a stunning example     The Record - Graded at Excellent to Excellent Plus   This superb piece of glossy vinyl, featuring a notably thick pressing, appears to have been barely played. The record retains its great shine with very light marks from handling and paper removal and a single light short hairline. In daylight, it looks largely unmarked, and only under a spotlight can you discern a few ultra-light handling marks.      Vinyl Tested For Any Signs Of Warping   Yes, none visible whatsoever when tested by sight and on a moving turntable.     The Cover - Graded at EXCELLENT   The album packaging, a creation that won a Grammy Award, was art-directed by Robert Fraser, designed by Peter Blake and Jann Haworth, and photographed by Michael Cooper. It showcased a vibrant collage of life-sized cardboard models of famous people on the front, while the back cover featured printed lyrics – a groundbreaking feature for an English pop LP at that time. The Beatles, transformed into the Sgt. Pepper band, wore custom-made military-style outfits of day-glo-colored satin, designed by Manuel Cuevas.   This cover, a genuine rarity, is in great condition – incredibly bright and clean with laminate that is largely unmarked. There's minimal light scuffing to the corners of the spine, none to the other outer edges, and near-perfect flip backs.   The presence of very little light creasing, almost undetectable, contributes to its excellent condition. No obvious ring wear is found on the front or rear, just some very light creasing to the corners. The opening edges remain very square and unfrayed. Surprisingly, the back cover is clean with NO light ring wear – an uncommon find for these covers.   Inside the gatefold is clean, showing little handling wear. The outer spine text is fully intact, with NO discoloration or laminate separation, making it a great example. All in all, this cover is a truly brilliant specimen.     The Inner - Graded at Very Good Plus condition   Sgt Pepper came with three main varieties of inner sleeves; the famous 'fools' inner, the EMI picture inner and the plain EMI patents pending inner. There was also a red-coloured EMI picture inner, included with some slightly later pressings.    These ‘fools’ inner are rare. Made of VERY thin paper they nearly always tear at the seams, and were usually discarded.    This one is a clean example with some relative age wear, toning and handling marks. It has No seam splits,  just a small tear to the very top of the sleeve, as clearly shown in the images. NO side splits and very little fraying at the top. There is a light impression of the record and a few light creases.    The record comes in a plain white replacement inner sleeve.     The Insert – Graded at NEAR MINT    Originally, the group had wanted the album to include a package with badges, pencils and other small Sgt. Pepper goodies but this proved far too costly to realise. Instead, the album came with a page of cardboard cut-outs carrying the description: Sgt. Pepper cut-outs , Moustache, Picture Card, Stripes, Badges, Stand Up.  The special inner sleeve, included in the early pressings of the LP, featured a psychedelic pattern designed by The Fool. The final bill for the cover was £2,868 5s 3d (equivalent to £37,531 today), a staggering sum for the time. It has been estimated that this was 100 times the average cost for an album cover in those days.   No writing, creasing or stains.      Rarity   A complete original pressing of Sgt Peppers in decent condition is scarce. The vinyl is so often played so much, heavily marked, scratched, with noisy, poor and distorted sound.    The cover is hard to find without serious wear, even modestly worn examples are scarce and this one is a superb example. Finding a great cover like this with a solid pressed piece of vinyl, the original inner and cut-out insert is fantastic.   Finding one that has such truly stunning audio performance, spotless record labels and the extremely rare non Patent cover makes this extremely rare and an absolute gem.     Terms And Conditions   Vinyl   All our records are play-tested to give an accurate description of the sound. If you are not completely happy with the item description, we offer a full refund on return.    Vinyl Sound - Important Information   Attaining the highest quality vinyl with crystal-clear sound is a rarity, yet it remains our constant pursuit. We exclusively offer records that deliver great audio performance – an experience characterized by super clear sound without interruption from continuous hiss or other obvious interference. It's important to note that, even with the cleanest pressing, you may encounter occasional static or light tics during playback, typically caused by dust accumulation in the grooves. This is markedly different from the distortion, loud pops, repeating tics, or clicks often present in heavily played and worn vinyl pieces. Any static buildup tends to diminish during playback, and we recommend a light clean between plays for optimal performance.   Images and Information   We aim to capture clear and accurate photographs of all our items for sale. Our goal is to provide you with the most accurate representation possible. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to ask.   Easy Returns    We offer a no-quibble return policy. Items must be returned within 12 days of receipt and in the same condition as when they were sent out. Return postage is the responsibility of the buyer, unless there is a specific fault with the item; in such cases, we will cover the full postage costs.   Record Grading System - (Based On Record Collector Magazine UK)   MINT: Virtually unplayed. The record itself is in brand new condition with no surface marks or deterioration in sound quality. Cover is pristine.   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.   V.G PLUS: The record will still be nice and shiny, but may have a few light marks, and will play well. Slight wear and tear on the cover.   V.G: The record has obviously been played many times, but displays no major deterioration in sound quality, despite noticeable surface marks and occasional light scratch. Normal wear and tear on the cover or extra items.   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, etc.   FAIR: Fair. It is noticeable that the record has been played so much that the sound quality has deteriorated very noticeably. The cover and contents are showing signs of folding, scuffing of edges etc.   Postage And Payment Details   All items will be meticulously sealed and securely wrapped. If you desire extra-fast delivery, records can be sent via Express Courier. Our commitment is to provide top-quality rare records to our buyers, keep postage costs reasonable and offer a premium service. Ensuring your records arrive in perfect condition is our absolute priority. Each record is removed from its main cover, placed in a new inner sleeve, and secured in extra-thick plastic sleeves. It is then further safeguarded with multiple layers of reinforced cardboard and padding, double-boxed in extra-strong, professional record containers to ensure safe arrival.   UK - First Class Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance: - £9.00 Europe - International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance: - £9.95 International (non-Europe) e.g. USA, Japan, Russia, Australia etc., International Airmail Signed For Recorded Delivery with Insurance: - £18.95   Multiple Purchase Reduction   Reduced postage for multiple records - up to 30% off extra items.   Postage will be first class or the fastest and safest possible alternative - recorded with tracking and insurance. All items are fully insured and covered for the safest delivery possible at no extra cost to you. Postage receipts and proof of postage is always available.    Payments    Payments must be made within 3 days of purchasing unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed upon.    Please Note: If no contact is made by the winning bidder following the mandatory Ebay 3 days, we will reserve the right to offer the item to the next highest bidder, unless prior notice of any delay is arranged beforehand.  Any bidder who has missed the chance to purchase a record can still email to make a priority second chance offer.      Customs Charges    If this record is purchased from outside of the UK or the European Union, there may be a customs charge. Unfortunately, we cannot advise about the exact customs fees in individual countries. If you are concerned about potential fees, we recommend reaching out to your own Customs and Excise Department for guidance. It's important to note that the buyer is responsible for any applicable customs fees.     All text & images remain the property and copyright ©️ The Rare Collector 2023