THE BEATLES ABBEY ROAD 1969 UK APPLE 1st PRESS EARLIEST 2/1 MATRICES TOP AUDIO!

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Description

The records I offer for sale are from my extensive personal collection of 1960s and 1970s albums which I have built up over the last four decades. During that time I have added duplicate copies of some of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I am very particular about the records that I own. Storage space limitations dictate that the time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to downsize my collection.

On offer here is a superb copy of The Beatles' iconic studio album titled Abbey Road, Catalogue Number PCS 7088. It's a 1969 stereo first pressing on the Apple record label, with a Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd. fully laminated sleeve. It comes complete with the less common Company black die-cut inner sleeve. [The sleeve has the Apple logo aligned to the track-listing on the back cover and does not credit "Her Majesty". The record matrix numbers are the earliest YEX 749-2 and YEX 750-1. The Side 2 record label does not credit "Her Majesty"].

The laminated sleeve is in VG+ condition with just light signs of wear and a few relatively minor creases by the front opening edge and bottom right corner. It has the characteristic slim spine which only the early sleeves exhibit and the grid on the zebra crossing visible on the bottom edge. The front and back covers are unmarked. There is barely any laminate lift adjacent to the spine which is quite unusual. The slim spine is solid with perfect text. It's a very presentable example of this most iconic of sleeves. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The solidly-pressed record retains its original lustre and rotates evenly on the turntable. It is in EX condition with just a few wispy sleeve-removal/rub type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever upon the audio playback. The dark green Apple labels are unmarked with just a few faint spindle traces near the centres. There is barely any wear to the spindle hole. Both sides play excellently throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. The sound quality is exceptional - very dynamic and full bodied with great bass. It's a while since I've listened to first pressing of Abbey Road and I had forgotten how wonderful they can sound. This really is a top playing copy which will not disappoint.

The original black die-cut inner sleeve has a tiny split to one side edge and a few little nicks to the centre cut-out. It is otherwise very presentable.
 

Overall this is a superb first pressing of arguably The Beatles' most iconic album which will make a fine addition to any record collection.

GRADINGS

The records that I offer for sale have been critically play-graded, at loud volume, on a Pioneer PL-L1000 tangential tracking turntable fitted with a Nagaoka MP-300 cartridge. I will only sell records that play to a high standard. My grading is strict and in accordance with the following descriptions:

·         MINT- Record is superb, almost like new, with just a few sleeve removal type surface marks and no deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve is near perfect in all respects.

·         EX Record is a top quality example with just a few very light surface marks and virtually no discernible deterioration in sound quality. Sleeve has slight wear and/or creasing.

·         VG Record has some visual surface marks, but still plays to a high standard without any major deterioration in sound quality – just a few clicks or light surface sound in places. Sleeve has normal wear and tear without any major defects but is still very presentable.

     All records can be expected to rotate sufficiently evenly on the turntable for there to be no effect whatsoever on the audio playback. Minor warps or dishing will not be mentioned as virtually all records display these features to some degree and no record is perfectly flat.

    Vinyl is not a perfect medium and even the finest quality pressings will play with a degree of residual surface sound, however minimal. Where, in my opinion, unwanted noise interferes with the listening enjoyment of the record, it will be mentioned in the item description. It is unrealistic to expect a 40+ year old record to play with a background of complete silence. Please bear this in mind when bidding.

PACKAGING         

LPs are packaged with care and well protected to ensure that they arrive safely in the same condition as they leave me. Records are removed from both inner and outer sleeves in order to prevent seam-splits in transit.

INTERNATIONAL POSTAGE

LPs posted outside of the UK will only be sent International Signed-For with insurance at the following cost:   

Europe - £10.50

Worldwide - £14.50