The Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band.1st Press PMC 7027 Fourth Proof

	£		110
	$		146

I am no record grading expert but I will describe this album the best I can... 

Title : The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

Label & year : Original PARLOPHONE PMC 7027 LP , UK Mono, 1967 RARE 1st Press! 

Matrix's : Side 1 : XEX 737-1 , Side 2 : XEX 738-1

Musicians : John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and George Martin (Producer) 

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Parlophone, PMC 7027, June 01,1967, mono. Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. laminated flipback gatefold inside flipback sleeve with “mono” PMC 7027 number on back side. Came with dark green cut-outs insert and psychedelic red inner sleeve. There are two versions of the cover, one with “wide” spine and a more common version with “thin” spine.

“Fourth Proof” sleeve.

This very very rare unique sleeve! The “Fourth Proof” sleeve represents the earliest possible pressing of the Sgt Pepper cover. The Fourth Proof was the final version of the various ‘prototypes’ that were explored by the Beatles when the cover was being designed. The cover (and text) was approved by the Beatles and an initial very small ‘test’ run was undertaken to make sure everything looked OK. This small test run is characterised by the inverted “Fourth Proof” text in the top right hand corner of the inner gatefold – just above George Harrison’s head. This is therefore the earliest possible ‘prototype’ (test pressing) cover. Same fold-back have can printed text “AR D1321? which was probably the reference number for the prototype text that was used.

Dark green cut-outs insert and psychedelic red inner sleeve.

1. First pressing. June 01,1967. Black label with yellow logo and silver print. “The Gramophone Co. Ltd.” printed at the start perimeter print and “Sold in U.K. subject…” text. With or without KT tax code on the label. Matrix numbers: Side 1: XEX 637-1; Side 2: XEX 638-1.

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About :  

Rare 1967 UK Mono 1st Press, very rare "Fourth Proof" Sleeve, Red Psychedelic Inner, NO dark green cut-outs insert.

Labels : 

Both sides are very good with no real signs of age, no writing, no stickers or tears. There's a small amount of light spindle marks. All of the labels are in very good condition overall. 

Record : (Visual) 

Original 1967 UK 1st Pressing. Nice bright and shiny. Both sides of the record surfaces look to be covered in light scratches and scuffs. There is numerous hairlines too, overall it looks to have been well used over the last 51 years.

Record : (Audio)

It still plays ok. Both sides of both records play with no sticks, one small skip on the side 2. Like pretty much most records there's crackles/ticks here and there. There's light "bluesman's fag" atmospheric static in places such as on some of the quieter sections, as well as the run in grooves and in-between tracks. 

***Checked using a Garrard 401 turntable with Decca FFS Professional tone arm and Decca FFS Mk.III Elliptical cartridge wired to Yamaha DSP-AX863SE amplifier*** 

Sleeve : 

Original earliest "Fourth Proof" laminated gatefold G&L sleeve is showing signs of it's age especially on the corners, the spine is rough and unreadable. The original red psychedelic inner is present and has suffered some water damage. The dark green cut-outs insert is missing.

Summary : A truly rare classic UK 1st Press, earliest "Fourth Proof" when Sleeve LP!!!

99p no reserve auction, no buy it now.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions about this item.   

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