THE BEATLES, SGT PEPPER'S LONELY...MINT- 1967 UK PARLOPHONE STEREO 1st PRESS

THE BEATLES, SGT PEPPER'S LONELY...MINT- 1967 UK PARLOPHONE STEREO 1st PRESS

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Description

It's my pleasure to offer for sale an exceptional copy of The Beatles' iconic studio concept album titled  Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Catalogue Number PCS 7027. It's a 1967 UK stereo first pressing on the Parlophone record label, with a first issue Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. fully laminated gatefold sleeve. It comes complete with the correct Sgt. Pepper cut-out insert and the red & white "Fool" inner sleeve. [The Parlophone record labels have "THE GRAMOPHONE CO. LTD..." and "SOLD IN U.K...." text. The record matrix numbers are the earliest YEX 637-1 and YEX 638-1. The mothers and stampers are 1 GAT and 4 GDT. The Sgt. Pepper cut-out insert is made from thick card].

The gatefold sleeve is in EX condition with only very light signs of wear and a few minor creases near the edges. The front and back covers and the opening gatefold spread are unmarked. The internal flipbacks along the top edges are pristine. The spine is solid with perfect text. It's a beautiful example which should satisfy most collectors. Please study the supersize photos carefully as they form an important part of the item description.

The top quality mid-weight record is in EX+/MINT- condition. It retains a deep mirror-like shine and rotates evenly on the turntable. Visually there are nothing more than a few wispy faint sleeve-removal type surface marks evident under bright light. These are of course purely superficial and do not have any effect whatsoever on the audio playback. The yellow and black Parlophone labels are unmarked with only a few short spindle traces each side. It is clear that the record has only received a modest number of careful plays. Both sides play MINT- throughout with no discernible deterioration in sound quality and barely any unwanted noise at all. There are no loud pops or repeat clicks 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 stereo 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" inner sleeve has a short 2.5cm piece of clear tape in the middle of the bottom edge and a few small creases. It is otherwise in very nice original condition.
 

Overall this is a magnificent stereo first pressing of The Beatles' most iconic album which will make a fine addition to any record collection. I'm lost for superlatives to describe the audio - it's truly staggering! I appreciate that the asking price is high - but stereo copies in this condition are seriously hard to find.

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 - £8.50

Worldwide - £11.50