The HOLLIES Would You Believe UK LP 1st STEREO MINT

	£		48
	$		64

The Hollies - Would You Believe

The Very rare "Stereo" 1st pressing

• PCS 7008: Parlophone Yellow and Black Labels
• Matrix Numbers:YEX 603-1 / YEX 604-1
• Stampers:1 GP / 1 GR

This stunning example was released in 1966 at a time when Stereo was still in its infancy as far as the record buying population was concerned. Most people at the time could only afford record players rather than Hi-Fi equipment, and a standard record player would be probably an autochanger type and a Mono player at that. I recall in the early 60's not being able to comprehend why people would want to pay extra money for a stereo recording, when they could get a Mono that sounded every bit as good for less money. This was the typical thought process of people my age at the time. 10 yeas old, and relying on pocket money for records. Thank god there were adults who had purchased decent equipment to play their records on, and found that Stereo records did indeed sound far superior to most Mono pressings.

The thing about Stereo Lp's of the time is that they were in the main as previously stated owned by adults and therefore tended to be more carefully handled and looked after. and on offer here is an absolutely stone MINT copy of this the Hollies 4th Album.

I have recently sold a Mono copy and hadn't heard the Stereo issue before, and I have to say that the Stereo pressing is far superior to the Mono in every way. In particular the clarity of the sound.

The Hollies were one of the biggest success stories of the 60's po scene, and after the Beatles and Stones could be arguably called the next biggest band.

There are some fantastic tracks on this LP, including the hit single I Can't Let Go, and Paul Simon's I am the Rock, as well as the Chuck Berry Classic "Sweet Little Sixteen"

So Now I want to take you thorough a detailed description of the sleeve and vinyl.

The Sleeve is a typical Garrod and Lofthouse issue , in that it has a laminated front, anon laminated flip back style back surface. The front Laminated surface is really clean and flat. Non of the usual creases across the  corners, nor are there any finger nail marks in the laminate where the LP had been gripped to remove it from the sleeve.The only lines are a couple of tiny ones near the spine, which to  be fair most LP sleeve have. There is the very very faintest trace of the outline of the records edge if the sleeve is viewed from a certain angle, but again is very slight, but needs mentioning. The spine is flat and perfectly legible, and tapered at each end correctly and neatly. The opening edge is a wonderful straight and unfeathered example, and apart from a couple of fingernail indents is just about perfect.There is no wear to either the top or bottom edges, and only on the absolute tip of each corner is the sleeve showing any shelf wear at all. Turning the sleeve over reveals all of the three flipback to be in perfect condition. There is some light ageing marks due to fingers, but the surface is in the main very white. One circular brown stain sits at the bottom of the sleeve, and that is the only real unwanted mark.

In all I would grade this sleeve EX+

The original advertising inner sleeve is also included, and is in exceptional condition. Advertising such classic as Mrs Mills, and Des O Connor, it also has the Beatles SGT Pepper, and Pink Floyds debut LP.

The vinyl looks very impressive on first pulling it out of the inner sleeve, and I was delighted to notice the labels are in stunning condition. You collectors will know that you can tell a lot from looking closely at the label, and the first thing I always do is examine the labels to see how many spider rlines there are so I can begin to determine roughly how many plays the record has had. Well this one was extremely obvious. There is one line on either side of the label and no more, so I reckon the LP has had only the one play, well two now as I have play tested it to be able to give a description of how it will sound on your system.

So the labels are a beautiful unblemished black with Yellow Parlophone logo's and silver typeface. All perfectly formed and perfectly symmetrical. There is no spindle hole wear, and to be honest I wouldn't have expected any to be on a record that has clearly never seen an autochanger in it's life. I am sure that you will be able to see the one spider line on each side of the label in the pictures. The vinyl gleams like a brand new LP, and there are no surface marks at all visible to the naked eye. Under illumination there are also none to report, and it was only when placed under a pin spot bulb that I could make out any thing that even resembled a hairline. I am certain by now that i can judge how most LP's will sound after this through examination, but as always I want to play it to be 100% certain, and for my own enjoyment as well.

Placing the record very carefully on my Rega deck, and lowering the stylus gently onto the vinyl's surface I first thought that I hadn't lowered the stylus at all, because there was not a sound coming from the record during the run in, and it was not until the opening track burst into life that I realised just how stunning this was going to be. Finding a Mint copy of any 60's Lp is a rarity, and on such a sought after one like a Hollies Lp even more rewarding. As I mentioned at the top of the description the sound is just incredible, and the clarity awesome. each linking groove is as silent as the last, and even the run out performs the same way. Side two is every bit as fantastic as side one, and I can honestly say that the performance of this Lp could not be bettered by any other example of this recording.

It is without doubt the finest and highest grade of LP that can be given and that is MINT. A high grade collectible Hollies Lp that would grace any collection for sure