THE BEATLES SGT PEPPER'S LHCB SUPERB 1967 UK WIDE SPINE MONO 1st PRESS TOP COPY!

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Description

I'm an avid record collector and have been collecting classic 1960s and 70s albums for many years. During that time I have added duplicate copies of quite a few of my favourite albums to my collection. I've always sought out the very best copies available as I'm very particular about the records that I own. The time has come for me to pass on a few of these choice albums in order to free up some of the limited space available in my record cabinet. 

On offer here is a superb copy of The Beatles' iconic studio concept album titled  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Catalogue Number PMC 7027. It's a 1967 UK mono first pressing on the Parlophone record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. fully laminated wide-spine gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the correct Sgt. Pepper cut-out insert and the red & white "Fool" inner sleeve. [The Garrod & Lofthouse sleeve is the much rarer wide-spine version with the spine measuring 8mm in width. The Parlophone record labels have "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD..." and "SOLD IN U.K...." text. The record matrix numbers are the earliest XEX 637-1 and XEX 638-1. The Sgt. Pepper cut-out insert is made from thick card].

The sleeve is in EX condition with only very light signs of wear and a few tiny laminate creases near the edges. There is a bit of feathering to the right side inside opening edge, but it's minimal. The front and back covers and the opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The internal flipbacks along the top edges are pristine. The 8mm wide spine is solid with perfect text. It's a very well preserved 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 is in EX+ condition. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are just a few faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident when angled against bright light. These are only superficial and do not have any impact whatsoever on the audio playback. The yellow and black Parlophone labels are unmarked apart from some spindle traces near the centres and a few faint spots on Side 2 from long-term storage. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops, repeat ticks, intrusive surface sound or anything else to spoil the listening pleasure. The sound quality is nothing short of sensational - massively powerful and vibrant with exceptional bass. It's a while since I've listened to a mono first pressing of Sgt. Pepper's and I had forgotten how wonderful they can sound. It really is a top-playing copy in every respect.

The Sgt. Pepper cut-out insert is in unmarked MINT- condition.

The red & white "Fool" psychedelic inner sleeve has a split to the middle of the bottom edge, some light creasing and age discoloration, but is otherwise very presentable.
 

Overall this is a magnificent and complete mono first pressing of The Beatles' most iconic album which comes with the much rarer wide-spine G&L sleeve. It 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