THE BEATLES Red Album 1962 - 1966 UK Apple 2 x LP PLAYS EX 3/4/3/3 MATRIX

	£		18
	$		24

THE BEATLES Red Album 1962 - 1966 UK Apple PLAYS EX 3/4/3/3 MATRIX

The Beatles, 1962 - 1966.

UK pressing of this 1973 compiled double album with custom Apple Records labels and housed in gatefold sleeve with red lyric inner sleeves, PCS 7171/2 (set no. PCSP 717).

• Matrix numbers: YEX 905-3/6-4 and YEX 907-3/8-3

• Stamper codes: ML/1, AP/1 and ALL/1, RP/2X

• Sides One and Four also feature an etched HTM, possibly a tax code.

• Inner of gatefold states "All titles produced by George Martin" to bottom right corner of right hand inner panel.

• Inner sleeves are red with lyrics printed to both sides. These are diagonal cut to all four corners and both have an indented thumbing groove to top entry side.

• External sleeve is gatefold and laminated to exterior panels.

• Spine is white and possibly sunned. However the white is bright and distinctive with no red tinge, and the black spine lettering is perfectly clear and legible. There is a clear delineating line between the red of the main panels and the white of the spine with no intermediary colour banding or fading. So possibly as issued.

  An overall very clean set. Vinyl is visually top end VG, strictly graded. The labels are still bright and glossy and there is just very light evidence of spider trail marks around the spindle areas. The playing surfaces are bright and glossy with no marks noticeable at cursory inspection. Closer examination with a magnifying glass reveals just enough light and superficial scuffs and hairlines to escape an EX grade.

  There are no deep marks, and playback is actually a very solid EX with no noticeable evidence of background crackle, ticks or clicks.

  Labels are all clean and undefaced.

  Inner sleeves have survived in excellent condition. Even on the better sets, many of these inners have ringwear impression. These inners have barely a trace of this. There is one small and neat (approx. just under an inch) seam split to the bottom centre of one of the sleeves. This is not pronounced enough for the LP to slide out. There is one small (less than half inch) separation of surface layer to the centre left hand side of one of the sleeves. This is minimal and closed, without splaying or feathering. On each of the inners one of the internal side seams has become completely unglued. This is without any damage at all, and these areas merely need regumming. Else the inners are in super condition and without inscriptions, marks, creasing or tears, with all the cut and shaped areas holding up exceptionally well.

  External gatefold sleeve a strong EX. The main panels are unusually bright and glossy, and even at very close inspection show just one or two fractional hairline shelving scuffs. No marks, stickers, inscriptions, etc. There is just a very small, quarter inch os so, sliver of sunning at extreme top left of the front panel, which is visible in the photo. Inner of gatefold is similarly clean and unmarked. Edges and spine are well preserved and without fraying or seam splits. Tips are unworn and square with just an absolutely fractional knock to bottom left hand corner. Entry side is crisp with just a couple of absolutely fractional dings. The only real fault with the sleeve is a small closed tear of less than half an inch. This is to the right hand side entry side at the rear of the sleeve, and about an inch down from the spine. The tear is neat and closed (i.e. without loss). It is also slightly angular, meaning that restoration is not only possible, but very easy. There is an area where gum could be applied to flatten the tear entirely and this would render it virtually unnoticeable in normal use.

  All in all however, a very nicely preserved set.
  

  
  

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