THE BEATLES – ABBEY ROAD UK 1ST PRESS PCS 7088 -2/-1 MISALIGNED APPLE NO HER MAJESTY EX

💎 A BEAUTIFUL, GENUINELY EARLY UK FIRST ISSUE OF ABBEY ROAD — WITH THE RIGHT LABELS, THE RIGHT SLEEVE, AND EARLY STAMPERS

Offered here is a superb original UK first pressing of The Beatles – Abbey Road, one of the most iconic and most collected records in the entire Beatles catalogue.

This is not just a headline -2/-1 copy. It is a genuinely persuasive first-issue example with all the collector-critical features in place: the correct YEX 749-2 / YEX 750-1 matrices, the famous misaligned Apple logo on the rear sleeve, the crucial omission of “Her Majesty” from the labels, and confirmed early mother/stamper combinations of 7 / OM and 1 / RL.

Just as importantly, this copy also matches the earliest documented Side 1 label configuration described in the Bruce Spizer / Frank Daniels reference work. It means this is not simply an early matrix copy housed in the right sleeve — it also carries the correct early label layout associated with the first label variant.

A complete, highly collectible and very well-preserved first UK issue of a true Beatles masterpiece.

⭐ KEY PRESSING IDENTIFIER

Original 1969 UK first pressing with YEX 749-2 / YEX 750-1 matrices, no “Her Majesty” credit on the labels, misaligned rear Apple logo, earliest documented Side 1 label variant, and early 7 / OM & 1 / RL mother/stamper combination.

PRESSING & IDENTIFIERS 💿

Artist: The Beatles
Title: Abbey Road
Country: UK
Year: 1969
Label: Apple Records
Catalogue Number: PCS 7088
Format: 1 x LP, Stereo

Labels:
Dark Apple labels with “Her Majesty” omitted from both sides.
Side 1 shows the earliest documented label variant, including the first layout configuration with “An E.M.I. Recording” text placement and early typography as referenced by Bruce Spizer and Frank Daniels.
Mfd. in U.K. text present.
Side 1 carries (YEX 749) ℗ 1969.
Side 2 carries (YEX 750) ℗ 1969.

Matrix / Runout:
Side 1: YEX 749-2
Side 2: YEX 750-1

Mother / Stampers:
Side 1: 7 / OM
Side 2: 1 / RL

Sleeve details:
Original laminated Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve.
The rear shows the famous misaligned Apple logo, one of the best-known and most desirable first-issue sleeve traits on any Beatles LP.
Rear panel credits include Printed by Garrod & Lofthouse International Ltd.
Track listing on the sleeve and labels reflects the early issue state.

Inner sleeve:
Original EMI “Important / Use Emitex” inner sleeve.
Made in England.

CONDITION & PLAYBACK 🎧

Vinyl: EX- / strong VG+
A very attractive original with excellent gloss and only light signs of handling and play. This is a clean, well-kept first press that presents exactly as a quality collector copy should.

Playback: Excellent overall, conservatively VG+ to EX
This record plays extremely well and gives a thoroughly satisfying listen. The overwhelming impression is of a strong, clear early UK Abbey Road with very enjoyable audio throughout. There are just two small moments of light surface noise, at the start of “You Never Give Me Your Money” and “Sun King” on side two. They are brief, minor, and do not continue. Outside of those short moments, the album plays beautifully.

Overall excellent, held back from true exceptional/top-tier status only by those two very limited moments. No skips, no sticks, and no repetitive intrusive clicks.

Sleeve: EX
A really smart example. Clean, glossy, highly presentable, with no heavy ring wear and a fully readable spine. The famous misaligned rear Apple is clearly visible and exactly what buyers want to see.

Inner sleeve: EX
Original EMI Emitex inner present and in very pleasing condition.

COLLECTORS NOTES

First UK pressings of Abbey Road have always been desirable, but the very best collector copies are the ones that bring together the full chain of first-issue identifiers, not just the matrices.

This copy does exactly that.

You have the correct -2 / -1 first pressing matrix combination. You have the omitted “Her Majesty” labels. You have the misaligned rear Apple sleeve. You have the original Emitex inner. You have early mother/stamper detail. And crucially, you also have the earliest documented Side 1 label variant as described by Bruce Spizer and Frank Daniels.

That last point is worth making. Many copies are sold simply as “-2/-1 first presses,” but advanced Beatles collectors know that label typography and layout matter too. On this copy, the label characteristics line up with the earliest documented configuration, giving an additional level of confidence and desirability beyond the already-correct matrix numbers.

In other words, this is not just an early copy. It is a properly configured early copy.

Condition-wise, it sits in a very attractive position in the market: far better than the tired, noisy, heavily handled examples that come up so often, yet still every inch an authentic 1969 original with the feel and presence collectors want.

💎 MAISON VINYL LISTING POLICY

Maison Vinyl specialises in collector-grade classic vinyl, rare pressings and audiophile editions.

Each record is ultrasonically cleaned using a HumminGuru, carefully inspected and fully play-tested on a Rega Planar 8 turntable fitted with an Apheta 3 cartridge.

Descriptions are written conservatively, highlighting even minor imperfections so buyers know exactly what they are purchasing.

All photographs show the exact item for sale.

VINYL GRADING

EX+        A superb copy with only minimal signs of handling or use.

EX           Light signs of play with excellent sound quality.

VG+       Very enjoyable with only minor marks and light background in places.

We do not list records below VG+ condition.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE ✅

Buy with confidence – 100% Guarantee – all records fully returnable

🚚 PACKING AND SHIPPING

📀 Your collector piece will be professionally presented. The vinyl will be stored in a MoFi anti-static archival inner sleeve, with the outer sleeve protected in a high-density crystal-clear polypropylene cover. Records are carefully packed using proper LP mailers and protective padding to ensure safe arrival.

📦 UK orders ship via Royal Mail Tracked 48 or Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm, depending on the value of the record and the level of insurance required.

🌍 International buyers are welcome – shipping via Royal Mail International Tracked. Final shipping cost depends on destination.

🌍 Please note that import duties, taxes or customs charges may apply when the record arrives in your country. These charges are set by your local Customs Authority and payment is the responsibility of the buyer when the item arrives. I declare the true sale value on all customs forms and cannot mark items as “gift”.

🌍 Shipping regions: United Kingdom, European Union, USA and Canada. If your country is not listed, please contact before purchasing.

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