The Beatles 1962-1966 Red Apple Records PCS 7171 UK 1st Pressing BBC Library

$

155

• Title: The Beatles – 1962–1966

• Catalog Numbers: PCS 7171 / PCS 7172 (UK Stereo)

• Label: Apple Records – Standard Red/Apple label design

• Matrices (Deadwax Info Observed):

• PCS 7171: YEX 905 / YEX 906

• PCS 7172: YEX 907 / YEX 908

• Additional notes: BBC Gramophone Library stickers and stamps are present throughout, which adds historic provenance but slightly affects value depending on collector preferences.

First Pressing

This is from the first UK pressing batch of The Beatles 1962–1966 issued in April 1973.

Criterion

Detail in Your Copy

First Pressing Requirement

Match?

Label Design

Apple label with a red border

Red/Apple design introduced in 1973

✅

Matrix Numbers

YEX 905, 906, 907, 908

Matches the first pressing matrices

✅

Outer Sleeve Style

Laminated Gatefold sleeve

Correct for early copies

✅

Publisher Info

“An EMI Recording” on labels

Should be present

✅

“Mfd in UK” on label

Printed clearly on labels

Correct for UK first pressing

✅

Apple logo on back cover

Correct green Apple logo

Consistent with 1973 release

✅

Vinyl Weight

Your photos suggest a heavier vinyl

Early 70s UK pressing is thicker

✅

• Sleeve: Good+ — visible edge wear, light laminate creasing, and archival markings, but structurally intact

• Vinyl: VG to VG+ — surface scuffs visible but no gouges; BBC library stamps present; labels clean

Additional observations:

• Condition: Some light surface marks seen in your close-up images (common for ex-library copies). Would likely grade VG to VG+ depending on audio playback.

• Historical Significance: Being from the BBC Gramophone Library adds collectible interest — it was used by the BBC for professional broadcast purposes.

Please understand that this is an official UK archival record from the British Broadcasting Corporation and the sleeve(s) may contain archival stickers from the BBC. Some of these stickers are 'on top' of the plastic with some 'underneath' (i.e. on the sleeve itself). Some sleeves have been 'laminated' either by way of 'punching' the plastic wallet to two parts of the sleeve or by fully wrapping the plastic to the sleeve. Where sleeves are laminated stickers can be removed with the use of appropriate sticker removal fluids however it is unlikely that stickers can be removed from any sleeves that are not laminated. The sleeves as such in this collection are generally graded as VG with the records often VG+ to Ex+.