THE BEATLES - RUBBER SOUL 1ST & ORIGINAL UK 1965 PCS 3075 RARE STEREO LP VG/VG

	£		50
	$		66

THE BEATLES

RUBBER SOUL

ORIGINAL 1st UK STEREO PRESS

Catalogue no. PCS 3075

Yellow and Black Parlophone Labels

Master Matrices YEX 178-2/ YEX 179-2

This is a 1st pressing from December 1965.

It contains the first variation label type, with the word STEREO in chunky letters aligned with the last 'E' in 'PARLOPHONE' on BOTH sides. This is very hard to find as most of the first pressings will have the word STEREO spaced to the left on either one or both sides. The layout, font, and text alignment on this label is how it appeared when Rubber Soul Stereo LP's were released, making this a Day One label pressing before any changes were made.

The matrix numbers -2/ -2 which this has, were also not issued very long, possibly only weeks.

The Sleeve: 

1st & original Flipback sleeve in Very Good Condition.

Very mild storage wear to edge corners, and wear at the middle of the sleeve opening on the reverse,. All text legible and pictorials clear and glossy. The iconic front photo is superb, this is the darker image (later prints had a light green hue, and a lighter red 'Rubber Soul'). This is the original photograph with the tear on John Lennon's right shoulder not yet air-brushed out!

A clean and neat sleeve with no ripples to the laminate, no writing, no sticker/ sticker residue.

Printed & made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Patents Pending.

Inner Sleeve : 

This is the correct original EMI Emitex 'Made In England' fully intact tracing paper inner lined, light paper outer lined sleeve.  No marks, some age discoloration.

The Vinyl: Overall Very Good Condition

The vinyl surfaces retain a clean black bright glossy sheen with no areas of dulling. 

Side 1 has two long stylus scratches which I have captured in the photos. They are very lightly feelable at some points along their length and look worse than what they actually are. 

Side 2 is in near excellent condition having just some wispy hairlines viewable when turned to bright light.

No other marks such as smudges or dinks on either side, and has clean grooves.

The record lays completely flat on the turntable, with no warps.

Manufactured on robust heavy sixties vinyl weighing at 165 grams.

Labels are Very Good. Text is clear and bright, the perimeter area around the spindle holes have fine spindle wear and spindle line traces are not too heavy. 

KT tax code from the mid-sixties is embossed. SOLD IN U.K. text across label and 

The Gramophone Co. Ltd text around rim.

The text for the song titles is the day of release Times New Roman font with asterisk directly next to the last letter.

Stampers:   Side 1: 2 GL

                   Side 2: 1 GT

The Audio: An Excellent (-) audio quality overall. 

There is some lessening to the original sound quality on side 1 in terms of audible ticks in the last couple of tracks, but doesn't overcome the experience badly. Overall it plays smoothly with crisp and clear audio, and would grade as Very Good.

Side 2 has an Excellent level of playback overall with some light tick static occasionally.

Plays well from start to finish with acceptable audio detractions. An overall good clarity and stereo definition. Track change/ intro grooves are fairly quiet with only light static on some near the starts of each side.

There are no other audio detractions that overcome, such as crackling, skipping, pops, Or sticks.

This is a very playable record and one which does not come up for sale on the very first label variation type often.

.................................................................

This LP will be housed in a new thick PVC sleeve as shown and delivered in a professional cardboard LP mailer with cardboard stifferners. 

A plain generic inner sleeve will house the record and the original will be placed separately to prevent tears during delivery.

I have used the Rare Record Collector Grading system in describing aspects of this record and grade conservatively.

Happy to refund on return if not satisfied.