BEATLES Sgt Peppers 1967 UK MONO 1st RARE FOURTH PROOF OUTER LOVELY COPY VG+/VG+

	£		119
	$		157

THE BEATLES - SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
Sparingly played 1967 UK 1st press rare "FOURTH PROOF" copy with all original components and excellent MONO sound quality
Label number : PMC 7027 Matrix numbers : XEX 637-1 , XEX 638-1 Stampers :  2 RPH  /  0 GMR
The condition of the vinyl is very good plus (VG+) - many would grade as "excellent", I am sure -  the vinyl has retained a lovely jet black luster. Close inspection under a bright light reveals a few small and very light scuff lines along with a couple of small and extremely wispy hairlines on each side - each non-obvious, non-feelable and appearing to be purely superficial though there is the odd random very light click (I counted x5 in total - see below). There is a slightly more noticeable 4cm very light scuff line on side 1 but even this is non-obvious and you will need to tilt the vinyl to the right angle in the right light to identify it, and also a very small warp on the periphery of the record (the stylus rises 2-3mm on the periphery) but neither of these have any effect whatsoever upon the excellent sound quality and if it wasn't for this small warp I would grade the condition of the record as excellent.  Excellent (EX) condition labels with the only blemishes being just a few barely discernible light spindle trails on each label. The "K" and "T" tax codes are embossed upon the side 1 label.  Again, very good plus (VG+) condition original and very 1st press Garrod & Lofthouse FOURTH PROOF" laminated gatefold sleeve with firm and unscuffed top and bottom edges, a firm spine which nonetheless does contain some intermittent scuffing which does obscure some of the spine text lettering - do take a close look at my photos. Each corner remains an almost perfectly defined right angle with minimal rubbing, there is no cardboard creasing, no edge fraying on the opening sides and no laminate lifting. The inside of the gatefold is hard to fault with the all-important "Fourth Proof" text and "AR D 1321" lettering perfectly intact. Apart from the spine scuffing the only other (and more trivial) blemishes are just the hint of some very mild ring wear on the reverse side which is only really detectable when the sleeve is held at the right angle in the right light, some 1 -1.5cm non-obvious surface laminate creases adjacent and perpendicular to the spine on each of the front and reverse sides (I counted ten on the front and eleven on the back), and just a few very small and light age/handling/storage marks. All colours, art work, photos, and text remain in great condition with perfect definition still. Very nice, fully functional, and remaining eminently presentable....pity about the spine scuffing else I would grade as "excellent".  The original Peter Blame "cut-outs" insert is unused and remains in near mint condition, and the original "Fools" red flamed inner sleeve is also present with a little mild creasing, no tears or edge fraying though there is a 1cm seam split mid-way along the bottom edge, and a few very small and light age/storage marks. Note that I always ship the vinyl in a new plain white inner sleeve in order to protect the original.  Excellent (EX) MONO audio quality with no skips, jumps, repeats, sticks, or distortion and any background crackle is at an absolute minimum - just a couple of very short passages during a couple of the intermissions with the merest hint of some very light and barely noticeable background interference - nothing really and certainly insufficient to impact upon the overall terrific listening experience. I noticed x5 clicks in total : x2 barely noticeable very, very light clicks towards the beginning of the 1st track on side 1, x2 equally light and background clicks towards the end of "Lovely Rita", and a solitary single mild click at the very end of "A Day In the Life"...each very minor and every track remaining a great listen - timeless!    
An overall impressive condition copy of this UK 1st press Beatles masterpiece with impressive MONO sound quality, but it's the rare "FOURTH PROOF" gatefold sleeve which puts this copy high up on any Beatles collector's wish list.
POSTAGE COSTS : 
For the UK £3.38 using Royal Mail tracked 48 (ebay "Simple Delivery");  for continental Europe £11 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked; and for the rest of the world £17 using Royal Mail 1st class tracked. 
I do provide posting and packaging discounts for multiple purchases. I make no profit from postage. Note that I always insert the vinyl into a new plain white poly-lined inner sleeve in order to protect the original during postage, and separate this from the outer sleeve to prevent seam splits. I use thick cardboard stiffeners and take great care in my packaging to ensure as far as possible that these precious records reach their destination in exactly the same condition as when they leave me. If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. 
If this record interests you then take a look at my other listings for more 60's & 70's classic vinyl.
A bit about myself : I have been collecting UK vinyl for over 56 years from a variety of sources : my own collection, friends and family, car boot and garage sales, door-to-door leaflets, and even through placing an advert in my wife's shop window! My ebay feedback speaks for itself so rest assured that you are buying from a trusted seller and in the very unlikely event that you are unhappy with your purchase just e-mail me and I will sort out the problem. I offer a "no questions asked" refund policy. If you require any further information, including photos, then let me know and I'll do my best to oblige. There is NO RESERVE on this item. Richard
Descriptions of any records I sell comply with the Rare Record Price Guide grading guidelines.