The Beatles LP Sgt Peppers - Collectable German Issue

	£		26
	$		34

Sold as seen: 

The Beatles LP - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. One previous owner.

This particularly rare version of the LP is manufactured in Germany on the gold rimmed ODEON label and at the point of purchase was obtained by a serving member of the RAF who was at the material time posted in Germany.I am reliably informed that this LP was made exclusively available to serving personnel in the armed forces (American Air Bases) in the first instance.Additionally, (researched on the internet) and before exporting the LP it was also made available to in particular readers of a magazine called Hor-Zu and via mail order options within Germany. My research leads me to believe that this copy is a very early if not first issue as there are various hallmarks that link with this copy:

1. On the rear outer sleeve, Side One. track two reads"A Little help From My friends" (omitting "with") wheras the full title is listed correctly on the record label.

2.The LP is housed in an usual "candy bag/candystripe" sleeve as opposed to the more standard flame one

3. The catalogue Number on the record label is SMO 81 045. The export number is ZTOX 5636 (in smaller print)I believe that the  number of  SHZE 401 to the left of the label is a reference to Hor-Zu.

4.The Matrix Numbers (stamped) on the play - off section, Side A are: SHZE - 401 - A - 1. and

The Matrix Numbers (stamped) on the play-off section Side B are  SHZE - 401 - B - 2.

5.On the bottom right hand side of the rear sleeve are the Odeon logo and EMI Germany logos both of whic are boxed and appear side by side.The year 1967 (next to "P" logo) appears at the top right hand side of the rear sleeve - there is no other information alongside the date.

Present Condition -The Gatefolding Sleeve:  For its age is in very good+ order.It is laminated flipbacked and presents without any splitting or notable creasing.The Spine is very good as is the centrefold picture of The Beatles. 

Present Condition -The Inner Sleeve :  Again, for its age is in very good condition.There are some aspects of creasing but no rips or tears consistent with storage over the years on all four corners - nothing spoiling here, I suspect these could be pressed out easily enough. As can be seen it is in the red candybag/sandy stripe colouring. 

There is also the standard cardboard cut out that is present and in very good + order.It is also Made In Germany

Present Condition - The Vinyl: Presents on both sides with a very good glossy sheene

 Side One:

A close visual examination under bright lighting conditions reveals one or two very lightly based in character hairline surface marks and a couple of lightly based in character  but visible surface scratches, one of which spans across side one (I have tried to capture this with the camera but because of its light character proved hard to bring out), importantly though , I have played this side and on my audio equipment the sound reproduction is of  good + quality and faithful, kindly note though this can very from one turntable to another depending upon stylus quality and condition. As with any vinyl - even new one can detect the occasional crack and pop consistent with hard to detect surface marks or dust - particularly on quitter sections of the album and on intro's play off's, with the right cleaning cloth these can sometimes be eradicated. At no time on side one though is there any skipping, jumping or sticking notwithstanding the marks I have detailed.

 Side Two:

Similarly, a close visual examination under bright lighting conditions of side two does not reveal any scratches or surface marks that are of  any particular concern to me, again, I have played  side two and on my audio equipment the sound reproduction is also of  good + quality and faithful, kindly note though, as I say, this can very from one turntable to another depending upon stylus quality and condition. As with any vinyl - even new one can detect the occasional crack and pop consistent with hard to detect surface marks or dust - particularly on quitter sections of the album and on intro's and play-offs- with the right cleaning cloth these can sometimes be eradicated. There is though, no skipping, jumping or sticking throughout the entire duration of side two.

Overall,  and in my considered opinion, this album plays to a good + audio standard.

The record labels are in very good order.

 Kindly note, in order to secure a safe delivery, I require a signature against postal receipt(tracked) at a minimal cost as detailed below .Thankyou.